Computer Forensics and Digital Investigation Program Named Education Finalist in 2013 SC Magazine’s SC Professional Awards

Champlain College and its computer forensics and digital investigation programs have been named as a finalist in the 2013 SC Awards for exemplary professional leadership in information-technology (IT) security. Champlain College was acknowledged as one of the "Best Cyber Security Higher Education Programs" in the Professional Award category.

Champlain College is one of four finalists in the category honoring the best cyber security undergraduate or higher education program which currently has a cyber-security degree program. Qualification for finalists is based on the quality of instruction, programs and how well these prepare students for the marketplace. The winners will be announced on Feb. 26 in San Francisco.

"SC Magazine is proud to recognize Champlain College and its cyber security programs as a leader in the education of the information security industry," said Illena Armstrong, vice president and editorial director of SC Magazine. "As a finalist for an SC Magazine Professional Award, Champlain College is a great example of leadership for the entire information security industry."

"Our students learn forensic methodologies necessary to investigate cybercrime," says Jonathan T. Rajewski, professor and co-director of Champlain's Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation (LCDI). "But they also learn how to communicate, think critically and work in teams, some of the hallmarks of a liberal arts education." One of the hottest majors at Champlain College is digital forensics, the art and science of gathering evidence from computers, cell phones and other digital devices, Rajewski noted. For more information about the program, visit computerforensics.champlain.edu.

It's no wonder, as more than half of the seniors in this major had job offers before starting their final semester, despite the sluggish economy. Government agencies and contractors, the military, consulting companies, corporations and law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. have a voracious appetite for hiring these young digital detectives.

Digital data is found everywhere, Rajewski said, and Champlain's program focuses on educating students on the legal, procedural and technical aspects of properly identifying, collecting, preserving analyzing and reporting data. All full-time faculty are former practitioner-experts, and they work with students on real cases brought to the LCDI by various private and government organizations.

Rob Decicco, managing director of FTI Consulting, a global leader in digital forensics, says, "I rely heavily on graduates from Champlain for new and experienced hires at FTI in the technology segment. They are always in demand at our firm and our competitors because it is understood that they can hit the ground running."

Many talented information security professionals from end-user companies entered the Professional Award category, and with the exception of the Editor's Choice Award recipient, an expert panel of judges will decide the winners for the Professional Awards category. The panel conducted in-depth analysis and considered many factors, such as applicable research, analyst reports and/or product reviews, to narrow down the field of hundreds of submissions to just the top finalists.

The SC Awards, now in its 16th year, are the clear global leader for IT security professionals and products that fend off the myriad security threats in today's corporate world. The annual awards showcase the best solutions, services and professionals while recognizing achievement and technical excellence. SC Magazine distinguishes the achievements of the security professionals in the field, the innovations happening in the vendor and service provider communities and the fervent work of government, commercial and nonprofits.

About SC Magazine

SC Magazine provides IT security professionals with in-depth and unbiased information through timely news, comprehensive analysis, cutting-edge features, contributions from thought leaders and the best, most extensive collection of product reviews in the business. By offering a consolidated view of IT security through independent product tests and well-researched editorial content that provides the contextual backdrop for how these IT security tools will address larger demands put on businesses today, SC Magazine enables IT security pros to make the right security decisions for their companies. In addition to the monthly print edition, the brand's portfolio includes a vibrant website (scmagazine.com); SC Congress New York, Toronto and Chicago; SC Awards; SC MarketScope; and SC Magazine Newswire.


Founded in 1878, Champlain College is a small, not-for-profit, private college in Burlington, Vermont, with additional campuses in Montreal, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. Champlain offers a traditional undergraduate experience from its beautiful campus overlooking Lake Champlain and over 90 residential undergraduate and online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates. Champlain's distinctive career-driven approach to higher education embodies the notion that true learning occurs when information and experience come together to create knowledge. Champlain College is included in the Princeton Review's The Best 384 Colleges: 2019 Edition. For the fourth year in a row, Champlain was named a "Most Innovative School" in the North by U.S. News & World Report's 2019 "America's Best Colleges,” and a “Best Value School” and is ranked in the top 100 “Regional Universities of the North” and in the top 25 for “Best Undergraduate Teaching.” Champlain is also featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges for 2019 as one of the "best and most interesting schools" in the United States, Canada and Great Britain and is a 2019 College of Distinction. For more information, visit champlain.edu.