MSCR670: Computer Forensics, Laws, Evidence, and Cyberterrorism

Course Description

Introduces the law, methodology, and techniques used by computer forensics analysts while differentiating between cyberterrorism and cybercrime. This course does not require a strong technical or legal background.

Prerequisite Courses

None

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

  1. Identify the techniques of acquiring digital evidence, and use those techniques to successfully analyze the data and report the findings in such a way as to be admissible in a court of law.
  2. Describe the techniques that intruders use to penetrate and damage networks, and use those techniques to uncover digital evidence of criminal activity in computer networks.
  3. Apply knowledge of criminal laws, court rules, legal implications, and procedures, to seize, search, restore, copy, acquire, verify, analyze, and store electronic data during a computer forensics investigation and examination.
  4. Identify current specific types and theories of cybercrime, and apply specific defensive techniques to prevent, reduce or eliminate bullying, theft, stalking, fraud, predator activity, intellectual property theft, economic espionage, and hacking.
  5. Process electronically stored information from operating systems, mobile devices, email, and file systems in a forensically sound and ethical manner.
  6. Critically evaluate and examine the motive, intent, and targets of threats known as “cyberterrorism” by identifying erroneously labeled cyberterrorism incidents, and identifying methods used to combat cyberterrorism lawfully.
  7. Identify the current forensic tools for extracting files, file systems, deleted data, and physical extractions of flash memory from mobile devices.

Course Materials

Required Texts

Maras, M. (2015). Computer forensics: Cybercriminals, laws, and evidence. (2nd ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.  ISBN: 978-1-4496-9222-3.

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. ISBN: 978-1-4338-0561-5 or 1-4338-0561-8

Technology Tools

Minimum Technology Requirements: http://www.regis.edu/CPS/CPS-Student-Portal/College-for- Professional-Studies/Academic-Resources/Online-Learning/System-Requirements.aspx

Course Assignments & Activities

Week Reading Graded Assignments and Points
1. Introduction to Computer Forensics Analysis and Electronically Stored Information (ESI) Chapters 1 & 2
  1. Introductions (not graded)
  2. Discussion Questions (5%)
  3. Written Assignment: Types of Evidence (10%)
  4. Quizzes (not graded)
2. Access to Electronic Evidence, and Computer Evidence Search and Seizure Chapters 3 & 4
  1. Discussion Questions (5%)
  2. Quizzes (not graded)
3. Applying Cybercrime Law and Identifying Network Criminals Chapters 5 & 6
  1. Discussion Questions (5%)
  2. Quizzes (not graded)
4. Cyberterrorism: A Critical Analysis of Intent, Motive, and Targets Chapter 7
  1. Discussion Questions (5%)
  2. Quizzes (not graded)
5. Managing the Digital Crime Scene Chapter 8 & 9
  1. Discussion Questions (5%)
  2. Quizzes (not graded)
6. Corporate Computer Forensics Investigations and the Prevalence of Email Forensics Chapter 10 & 11
  1. Discussion Questions (3%)
  2. Presentation: Trade Secret Theft Scenario (15%)
  3. Quizzes (not graded)
7. Network and Mobile Device Forensics Chapters 12 & 13
  1. Discussion Questions (5%)
  2. Quizzes (not graded)
8. Role of the Computer Forensics Analyst in Court Chapter 14
  1. Discussion Questions (2%)
  2. Final Assignment(20%)
  3. Quizzes (not graded)
    Total points = 100 points

NOTE TO LEARNERS: On occasion, the course faculty may, at his or her discretion, alter the Learning Activities shown in this Syllabus. The alteration of Learning Activities may not, in any way, change the Learner Outcomes or the grading scale for this course as contained in this syllabus. Examples of circumstances that could justify alterations in Learning Activities could include number of learners in the course; compelling current events; special faculty experience or expertise; or unanticipated disruptions to class session schedule.

College of Contemporary Liberal Studies Grading Scale:

Letter Grade Percentage Grade Point
A 93 to 100 4.00
A- 90 to less than 92 3.67
B+ 90 to less than 89 3.33
B 83 to less than 87 3.00
B- 80 to less than 82 2.67
C+ 78 to less than 79 2.33
C 73 to less than 77 2.00
C- 70 to less than 72 1.67
D+ 68 to less thank 69 1.33
D 63 to less than 62 1.00
D- 60 to less than 62 0.67
F Less than 60 0

 

CCLS Policies

Review the CCLS Policies on the Regis University website.