We are going to provide a Digital Forensics Course on this page along with all its basic information as syllabus, types, examples, tools, and job opportunities with salary ranges. A sample of how to conduct investigations to properly acquire, analyze, and present digital evidence to both corporate and legal audiences is provided by digital forensics, an introduction to computer forensics and investigation. It also describes how to stay up with emerging technology, how to find and analyze digital evidence on a range of devices, and the rules and laws governing digital forensics. A subfield of forensic science called “digital forensics” is dedicated to finding, obtaining, processing, analyzing, and documenting electronically stored material. So rea article thoroughly about Digital Forensics Course.
Nearly all illegal acts include the use of electronic evidence, making digital forensics support essential for law enforcement investigations. Data extraction from electronic evidence, conversion into usable intelligence, and presentation of the results for prosecution are the major objectives of digital forensics. All procedures make use of reliable forensic methods to guarantee that the information is acceptable in court. A subfield of forensic science known as “digital forensic science” focuses on the recovery and examination of data from digital devices that are connected to cybercrime. Computer forensics was the original meaning of the word “digital forensics.”
Since then, it has broadened to include any device that has the ability to store digital data. Identification, preservation, analysis, and documentation of digital evidence is the process of digital forensics.
What is Digital Forensics Used For?
Digital forensics is utilized in both criminal and private investigations. It is commonly associated with criminal law, where evidence is gathered to either support or refute a hypothesis in court. The collected data may also be used for intelligence gathering or to prevent other crimes. Digital forensics may be held to a less strict standard than traditional forensics. In civil cases, digital forensic teams may assist with electronic discovery (eDiscovery). For instance, in the case of an unauthorized network intrusion, a forensics examiner will analyze the attack’s nature and extent and attempt to identify the attacker.
Digital Forensics Tools
The Sleuth Kit: The Sleuth Kit, formerly known as TSK, is a group of Windows- and Unix-based tools for gathering data from computer systems.
FTK Imager: FTK Imager is a data previewing acquisition and imaging tool that enables the user to swiftly evaluate the device under consideration.
Xplico: Xplico is a network forensic analysis tool (NFAT) that aids in the reconstruction of data obtained using other packet-sniffing programs like Wire Shark. It is free and open-source software that recognizes network protocols using Port Independent Protocol Identification (PIPI).
PDF to Excel Converter: Acrobat PDF to Excel Converter converts data and information from PDF files directly into an Excel spreadsheet. This modified file is useful for finding cybercriminals wherever they may be.
Pro Discover Forensic: Pro Discover Forensic is a computer security tool that enables you to find every piece of information on a computer drive. EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data may be extracted from JPEG images with this utility.
CAINE: The Ubuntu-based application CAINE offers a full forensic environment with a graphical user interface. This utility may be added as a module to already installed software tools. A chronology is automatically pulled from RAM.
Google Takeout Convertor: Google Takeout Convertor transforms all attachments and archived email messages from Google Takeout. Investigators may extract, evaluate, and interpret the factual evidence with the use of this program.
Digital Forensics Course Salary and Syllabus in Pakistan
Skills Required to Become a Digital Forensic Investigator
Employers seek certified forensic investigators who possess essential digital forensic skills, encompassing the ability to overcome anti-forensic techniques, comprehend hard disks and file systems, conduct operating system forensics, perform cloud forensic investigations within a cloud environment, scrutinize email crimes, and delve into mobile device forensics.
Types of Digital Forensics
Several sub-disciplines of digital data forensics are developing as it develops, some of which are mentioned below:
Computer Forensics
In order to help current investigations and legal actions, it examines digital evidence gathered from laptops, computers, and storage media.
Mobile Device Forensics
It comprises gathering information from tiny electronic gadgets like game consoles, mobile phones, tablets, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Network Forensics
Network forensics, often known as “cyber forensics,” is the study of cyber network activity, such as assaults, breaches, or system failures brought on by malicious software and unusual network traffic.
Digital Image Forensics
This sub-specialty focuses on the extraction and analysis of digital photographs in order to establish their validity, extract their metadata, and learn more about their background and contents.
Digital Video/Audio Forensics
This discipline looks at audio-visual evidence to assess its reliability or any additional information you may glean, such as the location and time frames.
Memory Forensics
Live acquisition is another name for the process of recovering data from the RAM of an active computer.
Phases of Digital Forensics
The stages of digital forensics are as follows:
- Initial Response: The first response is the course of action done as soon as a security event occurs. It is significantly influenced by the incident’s character. The experts search for the tools of the crime during this stage. The information from these devices was carefully seized after that.
- Collecting Data: Professionals use the gadgets they’ve found to collect data after the period of search and seizure. They handle evidence using clearly established forensic procedures.
- Preserve the Data: The evidence should be able to be kept in a safe place that is accessible to the forensic team. They assess the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of the information obtained.
- Data Gathering: Electronically Stored Information (ESI) from alleged digital assets is recovered during data gathering. It helps in understanding the occurrence, but a poor method might tamper with the data and compromise the reliability of the evidence.
- Data analysis: The responsible staff searches the collected data for evidence that can be used as evidence in court during data analysis. In order to transform data into usable information, this phase entails inspecting, identifying, classifying, separating, converting, and modeling it.
- Evaluation of the Evidence: The process of evaluating the evidence establishes a link between the evidence and the security event. The extent of the case should be taken into consideration while making the evaluation.
- Reporting and Documentation: It is the post-investigation phase, during which all results must be reported and documented. The report should also include adequate and respectable proof as determined by the legal system.
- Testify as an Expert Witness: To get the expert witness’s approval that the evidence is accurate, forensic investigators should approach them. An expert witness is a specialist who looks into a crime to gather proof.
Digital Forensics Salary
The salary of digital forensic analysts can vary significantly based on their experience, education, and location.
- According to statistics, the average national salary for a digital forensic analyst is approximately 11,970,000 PKR per year.
- However, senior-level positions across the country can command an average salary of 29,100,000 PKR per year or higher.
- For individuals starting out in the field with a bachelor’s degree in digital forensics or a related discipline, the entry-level salary typically hovers around 8,550,000 PKR per year.
- Those who have pursued a master’s degree in digital forensics can expect to earn an average salary of 13,680,000 PKR per year.
- However, students who have completed the undergraduate certificate or bachelor’s degree programs in applied cybersecurity offered by the SANS Technology Institute report an average starting salary of over 16,065,000 PKR.
Digital Forensics Course Syllabus
- Overview of digital evidence and inquiry
- Physical storage device data acquisition
- File system research with a primary emphasis on Microsoft Windows & Linux systems
- Time, registry, and password recovery;
- File System Analysis and File Recovery;
- File Carving and Document Analysis;
- Information Hiding and Steganography;
- Email and Database Forensics; Memory Acquisition
Digital Forensics Examples
Examples of digital forensics include cases involving intellectual property theft, industrial espionage, employment disputes, fraud investigations, inappropriate use of the Internet and email in the workplace, forgeries, bankruptcy investigations, and issues related to regulatory compliance.