Mar 28, 2024  
2020 - 2021 Cowley College Academic Catalog 
    
2020 - 2021 Cowley College Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CIS1881 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER FORENSICS COURSE PROCEDURE


CIS1881 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER FORENSICS 

3 Credit Hours

Student Level:  

This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or sophomore year.

Catalog Description:

CIS1881 - Introduction to Computer Forensics (3 hrs.)

A course to give students an introduction to computer forensics including hardware and software components along with evidence gathering. Students will use various computer forensics software to analyze data. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills.

Course Classification:

Lecture

Prerequisites: 

Basic computer skills.

Controlling Purpose:

This course is designed to introduce students to computer forensics. Students will learn how to use various computer forensics software to analyze digital evidence and search for hidden data. Various computer fundamentals will be covered.

Learner Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to use various computer forensics software to analyze information on a computer system. The student will understand how information is stored on the hard drive and in system files.

Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:

The following defines the minimum core content not including the final examination period. Instructors may add other content as time allows.

UNIT 1: Computer Forensics and Investigations as a Profession

Outcomes:  Understand what is computer forensics and investigations and some problems/concerns prevalent in the industry

  • Explain what is computer forensics
  • Explain the preparation process for computer investigations
  • Explain professional conduct in regards to computer forensics

UNIT 2: Understanding Computer Investigations

Outcomes:  Understand how to manage a computing investigation

  • Explain the concepts involved in preparing a computer investigation
  • Explain the systematic approach
  • List the procedures for corporate high-tech investigations
  • Explain data recovery workstations and software
  • List and explain the steps in conducting an investigation
  • Explain completing the case

UNIT 3: The Investigator’s Office and Laboratory

Outcomes: Understand how to set up an effective computer forensics laboratory

  • Explain forensics lab certification requirements
  • Explain determining the physical requirements for a computer forensics lab
  • Explain selecting a basic forensic workstation
  • Explain building a business case for developing a forensics lab

UNIT 4: Data Aquisiton

Outcomes: Understand how to perform static acquisitions from digital media

  • List and explain the storage formats for digital evidence
  • Explain how to determine the best acquisition method
  • Explain contingency planning for image acquisition
  • Use acquisition tools
  • Validate data acquisitions
  • Explain RAID data acquisitions
  • Use remote network acquisition tools
  • Use misc forensics acquisition tools

UNIT 5: Processing Crime and Incident Scenes

Outcomes: Understand how to process a computer investigation scene

  • Explain the identification of digital evidence
  • Explain collecting evidence in private-sector incident scenes
  • Explain how to prepare for a search
  • Explain how to secure a computer incident or crime scene
  • Explain how to seize digital evidence at the scene
  • Explain how to store digital evidence
  • Explain how to obtain a digital hash and what it means
  • Explain how to review a case

UNIT 6: Working with Windows and Dos Systems

Outcomes: Understand how data is stored and managed on Microsoft operating systems

  • Explain file Systems Concepts
  • Explain how to examine NTFS disks
  • Explain the purpose of the windows registry
  • Explain the purpose of Microsoft Startup tasks
  • Explain the purpose of MS-DOS startup tasks
  • Explain the purpose of virtual machines

UNIT 9: Computer Forensics Analysis and Validation

Outcomes: Understand how to apply computer forensics topics and techniques to a computing investigation

  • Explain what data to collect and analyze
  • Explain how to validate forensic data
  • Explain data-hiding techniques and use tools associated with data-hiding
  • Explain how to perform remote acquisition

UNIT 10: Recovering Graphic Files

Outcomes: Understand the techniques for recovering graphic files

  • Recognize a graphics file
  • Explain data compression
  • Locate and recover graphics files
  • Identify unknown file formats
  • Explain copyright issues with graphics

UNIT 11: Virtual Machines, Network Forensics and Live Acquisitions

Outcomes:  Understand the uses of virtual machines network forensics and how to perform a live acquisition

  • Explain the concept of virtual machines
  • Explain the concept of network forensics
  • Perform a live acquisition
  • Explain standard procedures for network forensics
  • Use network tools including UNIX/Linux tools, packet sniffers
  • Explain the Honeynet project

UNIT 12: E-Mail Investigations

Outcomes: Understand how to trace, recover and analyze e-mail messages by using forensics tools

  • Explain the role of E-mail in investigations
  • Explain the roles of the client and server in e-mail
  • Investigate e-mail crimes and violations (simulated)
  • Explain e-mail server basic concepts
  • Use specialized e-mail forensics tools

UNIT 13: Cell Phone and Mobile Device Forensics

Outcomes: Understand how to retrieve information from a cell phone or mobile device

  • Explain the basics of mobile device forensics
  • Explain acquisition procedures for cell phones and mobile devices

UNIT 14: Report Writing for High-Tech Investigations

Outcomes:  Understand the guidelines on writing reports of your findings in computer forensics investigations

  • Explain the importance of reports
  • List and explain the guidelines for writing reports
  • Generate report findings with forensics software tools

UNIT 15: Expert Testimony in High-Tech Investigations

Outcomes: Understand the rules of evidence and procedure as they apply to testimony

  • Explain the preparation steps for testimony
  • Explain testifying in court
  • Explain the preparation for a deposition or hearing
  • Explain the preparation of forensic evidence for testimony

UNIT 16: Ethics for the Expert Witness

Outcomes: Understand applying ethics and codes of conduct to computer forensics and testimony

  • Explain the role of ethics and codes in regards to expert witnesses
  • List the organizations with code of ethics
  • Explain ethical difficulties in expert testimony

Projects Required:

None.

Textbook:

Contact Bookstore for current textbook.

Materials/Equipment Required:

Attendance Policy:

Students should adhere to the attendance policy outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Grading Policy:

The grading policy will be outlined by the instructor in the course syllabus.

Maximum class size:

Based on classroom occupancy

Course Timeframe: 

The U.S. Department of Education, Higher Learning Commission and the Kansas Board of Regents define credit hour and have specific regulations that the college must follow when developing, teaching and assessing the educational aspects of the college. A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester hour of credit or an equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time. The number of semester hours of credit allowed for each distance education or blended hybrid courses shall be assigned by the college based on the amount of time needed to achieve the same course outcomes in a purely face-to-face format.

Refer to the following policies:

402.00 Academic Code of Conduct

263.00 Student Appeal of Course Grades

403.00 Student Code of Conduct

Disability Services Program:

Cowley College, in recognition of state and federal laws, will accommodate a student with a documented disability.  If a student has a disability, which may impact work in this class, which requires accommodations, contact the Disability Services Coordinator.

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. FOR THE OFFICIAL COURSE PROCEDURE CONTACT ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.