Computer forensics workshop for undergraduate students

Abstract

This paper describes our experience in the design and implementation of a computer forensics specialisation for the Bachelor of Computer Science degree and its capstone subject Computer Forensics Workshop. Our motivation for introducing this specialisation was to respond to the growing demand for professional services in computer forensics by the government and industry as well as to attract undergraduate students back to computing. Computer forensics is an emerging multidisciplinary field with foundations in computer science and law, and academically it is best positioned as a stream in general computer science degrees. The capstone subject in the specialisation, Computer Forensics Workshop, is practically oriented with a substantial laboratory component. The subject is taught by a team of academics, each contributing their expert knowledge in operating systems, file systems, network security and cryptography. The aim is to prepare the students to enter the job market as a professional computer forensics specialist, either in a law enforcement agency or a business organisation relying on computer information systems..