CFS 280 Digital Forensics Essentials
This course provides an introduction to the principles, methodologies, and
applications of digital forensics, preparing students with the foundational
knowledge and hands-on skills required for forensic investigations. Students
will learn to identify, collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence from various
storage devices and operating systems while maintaining forensic integrity
and chain of custody. Key topics include forensic data acquisition, network and
system log analysis, cybercrime investigation techniques, and the classification
of digital evidence. Students will explore legal, ethical, and procedural
considerations essential to forensic investigations, ensuring compliance with
industry regulations and best practices. Through hands-on exercises, students
will apply forensic tools to examine digital artifacts, analyze cybercrime trends,
and prepare forensic reports. By the end of the course, students will have a
strong foundation in digital forensic investigation techniques, aligning with the
EC-Council Digital Forensics Essentials (D|FE) certification objectives.
Prerequisites
4 Undergraduate credits
Effective August 18, 2025 to present
Learning outcomes
General
- Explain the fundamental principles of digital forensics, including forensic readiness, roles of forensic investigators, and the forensic investigation process.
- Identify various types of digital storage devices, file systems, and formats, and analyze data structures to extract forensic artifacts.
- Demonstrate forensic data acquisition, duplication, and evidence preservation techniques while ensuring chain of custody.
- Examine network traffic, system logs, and web server logs to detect security incidents and analyze cybercrime activities.
- Examine volatile and non-volatile data, including memory, registry, and operating system artifacts, to uncover forensic evidence.
- Explain the legal, ethical, and procedural considerations involved in collecting, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence.
- Apply forensic tools to perform structured forensic investigations, document findings, and prepare professional forensic reports.
Fall 2025
| Section | Title | Instructor | books | eservices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Digital Forensics Essentials | Schulte, Christopher M | Books for CFS-280-50 Fall 2025 | Course details for CFS-280-50 Fall 2025 |
| 51 | Digital Forensics Essentials | Staff, Staff | Books for CFS-280-51 Fall 2025 | Course details for CFS-280-51 Fall 2025 |