Abstract:

It will be explained why and how Digital Forensics is to be defined as a science that involves the identification, preservation, extraction, documentation of cybercrime attacks. An academic offer in Digital Forensics results in better-educated digital forensics professionals and it will help to gain further trust of and respect for the field of digital forensics. Today there is in Germany a lack of educated personnel in Digital Forensics, which has negative effects upon our nation’s safety, security, competitiveness, economic stability, and sense of due process.

General conditions for participants are appropriate undergraduate degree and relevant professional experience of at least 1 year.
The curriculum is composed of 17 required modules + thesis (120 ECTS) delivered within 6 semesters in a part time. An introductory exam shows the level of knowledge of the course participants. A recognition of academic credentials of the first semester is possible and this will reduce costs. The workload of the first semester (basics) is and of the sixth semester (master thesis) is 30 ECTS, while the workload of the semesters two to five results in 15 ECTS each. Each module contains practical aspects as questions, theoretical and practical exercises and exercises in practical computer environments. The total costs of the course are EUR 15,000 (recognition of academic credentials possible, reduces costs). The capacity will be 25 places per year.

The first semester is meant to equalize the different prerequisites of the participants in the field of computer science. The modules are Basics in Computing and Networking, Basics in System Programming and Script Programming, Internet-Basics, Basics in Programming and Corporate Computer Networks.

The second and third semester is the foundation of digital forensics on different media, network forensics, methodology in digital forensics and criminal and civil legal issues. The modules are: Operating Systems, Computer Networks, Cybercrime and Computer Criminal 1, IT-Security, Foundations of Digital Forensics, Cybercrime and Computer Criminal 2.

In the forth and fifth semester the items in digital forensics on different media, network forensics, methodology in digital forensics and criminal and civil legal issues are deepened, widened and exercised. The modules are: Disk Forensics, Live Response, Law Aspects in Digital Forensics and Cyber Ethics, Reverse Engineering, Browser- und Application Forensics, Business Crime and Fraud Management.

The degree addresses graduate or advanced undergraduate students from computer science or similar technical programs, security and IT workers from business and industry and persons in law enforcement.

The course will be delivered through a hybrid format (75% online / 25% on-campus program). This provides the ability to reach non-traditional, working and mature students and allows reaching a geographically dispersed student population. The learning material is based on a mix of different media. The learning process is supported by collaborative platforms, web conference and an e-learning platform.

The development and starting phase of the master course Digital Forensics is supported to the year 2012 by a foundation of the German government. The first run of the course will start in October 2010.

Keywords:

Digital Forensics, interdisciplinary course, partners form universities and industry, hybrid form (75% ONLINE / 25% ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM), start in 2010/2011.