Digital Forensics
Study plans 2016-2017 - IMT3551 - 5 ECTS

Prerequisite(s)

The following courses or equivalent background is required:
- IMT2282- Operativsystemer
- IMT2431- Datakommunikasjon og nettverkssikkerhet

Expected learning outcomes

Forensic science is the application of science and technology to investigate and establish facts of interest in relation to criminal or civil law. The course digital forensics will introduce students to forensic science, as applied to digital evidence. This area has become an integral aspect of information security, and knowledge of the preservation and processing of digital evidence is becoming an essential skill for information security professionals.

Students are able to explain the fundamental principles of digital forensics. The students are able to survey a digital crime scene and to acquire, analyze and present digital evidence in a forensically sound manner. The students are further expected to be able to scientifically document theoretical and experimental results related to forensic investigations, and to evaluate the validity of evidence presented by another party. The course is research-based, with emphasis on the application of scientific publications in practical forensic analysis. After completion of the course, the student shall demonstrate the following competency:

Knowledge
- Digital Forensics methodology with a solid understanding of requirements for handling digital evidence, with an emphasis on evidence integrity and chain of custody
- The students will develop a knowledge of the main publication channels in digital forensics, and selected academic papers are included in the curriculum.

Skills
- Forensic acquisition of digital evidence from computer and network media
- Live system forensics and evaluation of order of volatility
- Evidence analysis with timeline analysis and forensic reconstruction
- Scientific documentation of forensic acquisition and analysis

General Competency
- Legal aspects of cyber crime and cyber crime investigations
- The role of expert witnesses and digital evidence in the context of legal proceedings
- The relationship between digital forensics and incident handling in the context of information security

Topic(s)

- Digital investigations and evidence
- Chain of custody and forensic soundness
- Timeline analysis
- Live system forensics
- File system forensics
- Forensic reconstructions
- Internet and network forensics
- Cybercrime law
- Advanced topics if time permits

Teaching Methods

Lectures
Laboratory work
Project work

Teaching Methods (additional text)

The course will be made accessible for both campus and remote students. Every student is free to choose the pedagogic arrangement form that is best fitted for her/his own requirement. The lectures in the course will be given on campus and are open for both categories of students. All the lectures will also be available on Internet through GUC’s learning management system (ClassFronter).

Form(s) of Assessment

Oral presentation
Written exam, 3 hours
Evaluation of Project(s)
Other

Form(s) of Assessment (additional text)

An average where project work counts for 50%, and final written exam counts for 50% of the grade according to the recommended averaging process.

Both parts must be passed.

Grading Scale

Alphabetical Scale, A(best) – F (fail)

External/internal examiner

Evaluated by internal examiner, external examiner is used periodically (every four years, next time in 2018/2019)

Re-sit examination

For the final exam: Ordinary re-sit examnination.

Coursework Requirements

Will be announced later

Teaching Materials

Textbook will be announced at course start
Presentation material and 5 selected academic papers

Replacement course for

IMT3711 Digital Forensic Science

Additional information

Knowledge of Linux is an advantage. The course will be held in English.

In case there will be less than 5 students that will apply for the course, it will be at the discretion of Studieprogramansvarlig whether the course will be offered or not an if yes, in which form.

Students taking this course as part of their bachelor studies (IMT3551 Digital Forensics) cannot apply to be exempted from taking IMT4012 (Digital Forensics 1) when studying Master in Information Security, because the methods of evaluation in both courses are different.