Required Text: Vacca, John R. Computer Forensics, Charles River Media 2002 ISBN #: 1584500182 -USED IS FINE-
COURSE REQUIRMENTS
Week One
Read Chapters 1, 2
Find an article on the Internet, Journal or newspaper that is related to computer forensics. Summarize in a two page paper. Turn in to your instructor.
Contact the instructor for question of the week.
Week Two
Read Chapter 3, 4
Discuss the scenarios given at the end of chapter three. Elaborate on the methodology used. Why are policies so important? Discuss policies in place at your place of work related to security.
Find and article or discuss the role of data recovery in your organization.
Week Three
Read Chapter 5,6,7
Discuss in a page or two the process of methods of collection (chapter 5)
In a page or two, discuss the importance of the legal aspects of forensic evidence. (Chapter 6)
Define Image Verification. Submit to instructor.
Week Four
Read Chapter 8, 9, 10
Find a case in a journal, on the Internet or any source that discusses the computer as a primary source of evidence. Summarize and submit.
Discuss Reconstruction and the role it plays in forensics. (2-3 pages)
Week Five
Read Chapter 11,12,13
What is DNS? How is it used in Forensic discovery? (1 page)
Discuss Macro threats. How is your network setup to counter these? (1 page)
Discuss the various approaches used by other countries and their approach to forensics and security against attacks. (1-2 pages).
Week Six
Read Chapter 14, 15, 16
What is Information Warfare? Describe some of the current and past trends (1-2 pages)
Find an article on a hacker and discuss the techniques used by the hacker. Also discuss what lead to their capture, and the tools employed to track the hacker down.
Discuss the tactics that private companies can use to thwart attack (1-2 pages)
Week Seven
Read Chapter 17, 18, 19
What is Cyber Surveillance? Find an article that deals with this issue. Summarize in a 1 to 2 page paper.
Discuss the ethical implications in society and the role of IW. (1-5 pages)
Week Eight
Read Chapter 20
Submit TERM PAPER 15-20 pages
TERM PAPER
For your term paper, you have several options to choose from.
For your term paper, review the text, articles and questions submitted to your instructor. From all that you have learned and explored in this course,
1) Imagine that you are the Network Administrator in charge of a network. How do you prepare yourself from potential attacks? What contingency plans are in place?. In this paper, describe what your approach is to this problem and how it was developed. Include graphics or other physical descriptions to support your design. The more detailed you are, the better the paper will be.
or
2) Find a hacker (s) who has penetrated a network. In detail, discuss how the network was compromised. Analyze the network system in place at your organization. Describe in detail the strengths, and weaknesses, of your system. Once again, include graphics and supporting evidence of your network.
3) Topic decided upon between the instructor and student.
You may start this project as soon as week two. Due to the complexity of this project, I would advise starting no later than week three. You may utilize any texts, hands-on projects, or outside sources as a system administrator would do in real life.
Assignments and Writing:
At the undergraduate level, students are expected to have an advanced writing style, Therefore, all written assignments must be typed on a computer in an organized format of your choice as long as it is appropriate for the information being presented. Because effective communication is a primary element of success in today's competitive business environment, spelling, grammar and punctuation will be strictly enforced and graded as part of the assignment. Exceptions will not be made.
The length of your writings is up to you as long as content is not sacrificed. Please stay within the maximum guidelines I have listed.
Plagiarism is unquestionably the worst academic violation a student can commit. If you are caught utilizing material without proper reference or citation, you will receive an automatic failing grade for this course. All references must be cited as a footnote or endnote utilizing any acceptable style of your choice. If you have any questions in this area, please contact me.
All assignments must be turned in on time to receive full credit. Please make prior arrangements for unusual circumstances.
Grading:
The course grading criteria is as follows:
Attendance 05 points
Papers 35 points
Final Paper 60 points
100 -90
89 - 80
79 - 70
69 - 60
Below 60
A
B
C
D
F
Final Note
I look forward to guiding you through this class and hope you find it an enjoyable experience. Feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail any time. I will be happy to assist you in any way I can during this course or any other time during your studies.
