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. For this course, Weatherford College maintains lab hours open to all students. Each semester, departmental faculty members and tutors post hours in these labs when they are available to assist students.
Upon successful completion of the 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.
Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations 7e Nelson, Phillips and Stewart, Cengage Learning, 2024.
Student evaluation will be based on the completion of assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams. The requirements will be weighted as follows:
Assignments 35%
Quizzes15%
Project 15%
Exams 35%
Final grades will be calculated by the following scale:
90-100 % A
80- 90 % B
70- 80 % C
60- 70 % D
below 60% F
These methods will be presented in a custom syllabus at the time the course is added to the semester schedule of classes. They will include quizzes, lab activities, assignments, exams, and attendance.
- Desktop or Laptop computer
Information Technology AAS – Cyber Security Option:
This degree gives students substantial knowledge of techniques required for network and information security assurance. Students work with desktop programs, client-server applications, virtual platforms, and cloud services. Students will detect and report complex security events, create incident detection and analysis tools through programming techniques and procedures, using appropriate languages and software.
The primary emphasis of the curriculum is hands-on training in information assurance for network hardware, software, and data, including physical security, backup procedures, relevant tools, encryption, and incident handling and reporting. Instruction will also include related computer areas that provide the ability to adapt as information systems evolve.
Upon completion of the program, graduates should qualify for employment in business, industry, and government organizations in such positions as Network Security Analyst; Information Security Analyst; Penetration Tester; Security Systems Analyst; Cybersecurity Analyst; Cyber Incident Analyst; and Cyber Security - Incident Responder.
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf.
A student shall retain all rights to work created as part of instruction or using College District technology resources.
The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) identified competencies in the area of Resources, Interpersonal, Information, Systems, and Technology; and foundation skills in the areas of Basic Skills and Personal Qualities.
WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES -- Effective workers can productively use:
- Resources -- They know how to allocate (C1) time, ( C3) materials
- Information -- They can (C5) acquire and evaluate data, (C6) organize, and maintain files, (C7) interpret and communicate, and (C8) use computers to process information.
- Interpersonal Skills -- They can work on (C9) teams, (C10) teach others, and (C14) work well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
- Systems -- They (C15) understand social, organizational, and technological systems; (C16) they can monitor and correct performance; and (17) they can design or improve systems.
- Technology -- They can (C18) select equipment and tools, (C19) apply technology to specific tasks, and (C20) maintain and troubleshoot equipment.
FOUNDATION SKILLS -- Competent workers in the high-performance workplace need:
- Basic Skills -- (F1) reading, (F2) writing, (F3) arithmetic and (F4) mathematics, (F5) listening and (F6) speaking.
- Thinking Skills -- (F7) to think creatively, (F8) to make decisions, (F9) to solve problems, (F10) to visualize, and (F12) to reason.
- Personal Qualities -- (F13) individual responsibility, (F14) self-esteem, (F15) sociability, (F16) self-management, and (F17) integrity