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Practical Issues in Teaching Computer Forensic s

Practical Issues in Teaching Computer Forensic s. Dr. Iain Sutherland Information Security Research Group, School of Computing. The demand for courses. There appears to be growth in the number of courses: Attention in the media Undergraduate A number of new courses

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Practical Issues in Teaching Computer Forensic s

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  1. Practical Issues in Teaching Computer Forensics Dr. Iain Sutherland Information Security Research Group, School of Computing.

  2. The demand for courses There appears to be growth in the number of courses: • Attention in the media • Undergraduate • A number of new courses • Postgraduate forensics and related courses • Glamorgan • Cranfield • Westminster • Royal Holloway • Bradford • University of East London + others... Northumbria University 18-11-05

  3. The Practical Issues The teaching of computer forensics can present a number of practical problems relating to: • Students • Material • Resources • Staff The following slides are based on the experience of teaching computer forensics to undergraduate and postgraduate students for a number of years. Northumbria University 18-11-05

  4. A couple of searches on www.ucas.com 26/10/05 Do the students know we exist? A search for “computer forensics” A search for “computer French” They did have an advert for Northumbria University on the courses index page... Northumbria University 18-11-05

  5. Students • The usual issues • Mixed backgrounds / skills • Mixed ability • Mixed cultures • Specific problems • What are they expecting, CSI? (without the gooey stuff) or Silent Witness? • Can they cope with the nature of the material? Both Technical and content? Northumbria University 18-11-05

  6. Material • The subject area is huge • Computing, forensics and psychology (and others) • The subject area is still fairly ‘young’ • Potential problems of ethics • The material covered as part of the course • Case studies – certain sensitivities • Should we be teaching the students some of these skills? Northumbria University 18-11-05

  7. Resources • To do properly – expensive! • Resources both for teaching and student projects • Hardware, including network infrastructure • Software such as AccessData or Encase etc • Developing ‘case material’ Northumbria University 18-11-05

  8. Staff • Staff issues include • Time to stay ‘current’ in the field! • Research activity / consultancy • The subject area is specialised, although ISRG staff came from a variety of fields. Northumbria University 18-11-05

  9. Our Solutions... Things we have found that work so far include: • Develop relationships with a variety of people and organisations • Gain experience • Advice on course content / structure • Guest speakers... Northumbria University 18-11-05

  10. Our Solutions • Initially kit out a teaching lab with free /cheap tools HOWEVER Better to do it properly – buy the real thing! Ideally a closed network with access to tools / test systems / Images Northumbria University 18-11-05

  11. Our Solutions... • Underpin the teaching with research and/or consultancy to provide: • Case studies • Technical background • Anecdotal information Northumbria University 18-11-05

  12. Glamorgan Computer Forensics Lab To date, average laboratory running / refurbishing costs about £20K per year Set up as a research / consultancy lab and focuses on recovering data from HDD expanded to handle PDA’s and Cellular phones! Northumbria University 18-11-05

  13. Practical Issues - Summary • Develop relationships with Law Enforcement Agencies / business world • Computer Forensics be expensive to teach in terms of time and resources so build up the kit slowly. • Consider teaching material carefully for ethical issues • Teaching benefits from being underpinned by consultancy / research work Northumbria University 18-11-05

  14. Any Questions? Northumbria University 18-11-05

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