Forensic Investigation - Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity at British Columbia Institute of Technology at

Computers are increasingly being used in criminal activity. From fraud to violent crime, computers are often found to play a significant role as a tool for planning and conducting a crime, and may contain relevant evidence pertaining to an offense. As indispensable tools in our everyday life, computers and mobile devices are key targets for criminals wishing to steal personal or corporate information, money, and more. There is therefore a growing need for specialists trained in the field of digital forensics and cybersecurity. Specialists in these fields rely on an essential combination of technical expertise, investigative skills, legal knowledge and communication skills.

Program goals include:

• Develop a fundamental understanding of digital forensics and cybersecurity.
• Gather, analyze and secure digital evidence for forensic investigative purposes.
• Apply digital forensics techniques and tools on wired and mobile devices to investigate cyber-related crime.
• Investigate and ensure security, privacy and availability in networked computing.
• Protect information in storage and network communication.
• Analyze, detect, and prevent network attacks.
• Assess the security of various computer software architectures.
• Investigate cyber attacks.
• Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in digital and cyber-related investigations.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with all stakeholders at all levels.
• Fulfill professional and ethical obligations.
• Apply legal principles and applications of the Criminal Code of Canada in criminal investigations.

Develop lifelong learning skills to keep up to date with changing technologies.
Training in computer forensics is extremely important in order to understand how to handle the delicate information in storage devices. Technical people may think they know how to extract data; however, they may inadvertently alter or delete important information. Computer forensics practitioners know how to handle information extraction, as well as how to identify information that is useful in a legal case and how to explain and present it in court.