Computer and Digital Forensics Minor

Why Minor in Computer and Digital Forensics?

Mobile phones, tablets, GPS, cameras, car management systems, security camera systems: Digital information is everywhere. New devices, new digital services and platforms are emerging every day, and the laws governing the data are being written daily. A minor in Computer & Digital Forensics will be a tremendous asset to anyone majoring in business, any technology field, and, of course legal and enforcement professions.

Anyone working in an IT field will need to be able to respond to security incidents, hacking, breeches and internal investigations as well as understand and execute data preservation orders. The failure to understand how to manage any of the issues that can arise with data management and security can cost companies millions of dollars in fines and litigation.

Likewise, because litigation is everywhere, it has become critically important to understand legal issues around digital data. As an accountant, for example, because all accounting systems are now electronic, it's essential to understand how to handle the computer systems appropriately to manage and protect a firm's digital records.

It's no secret that criminals are highly inventive in using  digital devices to perpetrate crime.  Anyone in the Legal Studies or Criminal Justice programs would be tremendously benefited by a minor in Digital Forensics; almost every single litigation involves digital data, and yet the understanding of digital forensics has been primarily limited to consultants. Anyone with the competence provided by our Digital Forensics minor can advise attorneys and other legal professionals regarding how to appropriately manage issues digital data issues.

Gaining a foundational understanding of digital forensic practice and law will give you the technical skills and legal knowledge you need to protect yourself, your company and your career.

Courses in the Minor in Computer and Digital Forensics Currently include:

FOR 100 - Cyber Crime - Criminal and Civil Investigations
CRJ 225 - Law of Searching and Seizing Digital Evidence
FOR 240 - Introduction to Digital Forensics
FOR 270 - Anti-Forensics and Network Forensics
FOR 260 - Digital Forensic Tool Evaluation
FOR 340 - Operating System Forensics

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