Fall 2024
Introduction to Digital Forensics
Approved: Initials/date COURSE TITLE (SUBJ NMBR SEC) INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL FORENSICS (ITDF 1300 6A1) CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Hybrid PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: None COURSE DESCRIPTION A study of the application of digital forensic technology to collect, analyze, document, and present information while maintaining a documented chain of custody. Overview of ethics, crime, and other legal guidelines/regulations/laws. Includes overview of tools used for forensic analysis of digital devices in investigations. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to • Identify crimes committed using digital devices. • Define the role of the digital forensics technician in investigating crimes or incidents. • Identify the tools used to collect and analyze information stored on digital devices. • Describe proper handling of evidence obtained during investigation for civil or criminal proceedings including chain of custody. INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Steven Veron Email: sdveron@lit.edu Office Phone: 409-351-5961 Office Location: N/A Office Hours: N/A REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS MindTap access to Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations, 6th Edition, Nelson, Phillips, and Steuart; Cengage, 2019 a. How to buy your Course Materials Step 1: Sign into Blackboard and click on this course Step 2: Click on the Cengage link: Getting Started in the Getting Started with Cengage MindTap section. Step 3: Create or sign into your Cengage account to access or purchase the materials for this course. NOTE: If you are taking additional courses that use Cengage materials, you can save by purchasing a Cengage Unlimited plan, which gives you access to all Cengage e-Textbooks and online homework platforms for one price. Visit cengage.com/unlimited or your campus bookstore to learn more. b. Beware of sites that are selling discounted codes. These sources are likely unauthorized sellers who have acquired access codes illegally, and transactions with such sources may pose a risk to your personal information. Need help? Visit startstrong.cengage.com for step-by-step registration instructions and videos ATTENDANCE POLICY Three absences are allowed. If a student is tardy to class or departs early three (3) times, it will be equal to one (1) absence. Each absence beyond three absences will result in a 2-point deduction from your final grade. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Week 1 08/26-09/01 Module 1: Understanding the Digital Forensics Profession and Investigations Module 1 Reading Lab 1-1 Quiz 1 09/04/24 Week 2 09/02-09/08 Module 2: The Investigator's Office and Laboratory & Module 3: Data Acquisition Module 2 Reading & Module 3 Reading Quiz 2 Lab 3-1 Quiz 3 09/11/24 Week 3 09/09-09/15 Guest Speaker & Module 4: Module 4 Reading Lab 4-1 Quiz 4 09/18/24 Processing Crime and Incident Scenes Week 4 09/16-09/22 Exam 1 Exam 1 09/19/24 Week 5 09/23-09/29 Module 5: Working with Windows and CLI Systems & Module 6: Current Digital Forensics Tools Module 5 Reading & Module 6 Reading Lab 5-1 Quiz 5 Lab 6-1 Quiz 6 10/02/24 Week 6 09/30-10/6 Module 7: Linux and Macintosh File Systems & Module 8: Recovering Graphics Files Module 7 Reading & Module 8 Reading Lab 7-1 Quiz 7 Quiz 8 10/09/24 Week 7 10/7-10/13 Exam 2 Exam 2 10/10/2024 Week 8 10/14-10/20 Module 9: Digital Forensics Analysis and Validation & Module 10: Virtual Machine Forensics, Live Acquisitions, and Network Forensics Module 9 Reading & Module 10 Reading Lab 9-1 Quiz 9 Lab 10-1 Quiz 10 10/23/24 Week 9 10/21-10/27 No Class Week 10 10/28-11/3 Module 11: E-mail and Social Media Investigations & Module 12: Mobile Device Forensics and the Internet of Anything Module 11 Reading & Module 12 Reading Lab 11-1 Quiz 11 Lab 12-1 Quiz 12 11/06/24 Week 11 11/4-11/10 Exam 3 Exam 3 11/07/24 Week 12 11/11-11/17 Module 13: Cloud Forensics & Module 13 Reading & Module 14 Reading Lab 13-1 Quiz 13 Lab 14-1 Quiz 14 Module 14: Report Writing for High-Tech Investigations 11/20/24 Week 13 11/18-11/24 Module 15: Expert Testimony in Digital Investigations Thanksgiving & Module 16: Ethics for the Expert Witness Module 15 Reading & Module 16 Reading Lab 15-1 Quiz 15 Lab 16-1 Quiz 16 12/01/24 Week 14 11/25-12/1 No Class Happy Thanksgiving! Week 15 12/2-12/8 Exam 4 Exam 4 12/05/24 Week 16 12/9-12/13 Final Exam Final Exam Final Exam 12/12/24 COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Labs 40% • Module Quizzes 15% • Exams 20% • Final Exam 25% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum-computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or Wi-Fi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION Certification Requirement Cyber Security and Networking Technology (CSNT) majors are required to earn certification in one of the following areas prior to graduation. • A+ Certification • Network+ Certification • Security+ Certification • Linux+ Certification • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)