Certificate in Cyber Forensics

Cyber Forensics provides learners with foundational knowledge of the principles, processes and techniques used to identify, preserve, examine, analyse and document digital evidence associated with cybersecurity incidents and other technology-related investigations. The programme covers digital evidence handling, forensic investigation procedures, evidence preservation, chain of custody, disk and file-system analysis, memory and network forensics, log analysis, malware and incident investigation awareness, data recovery and forensic reporting. Learners develop an understanding of how forensic evidence is collected and analysed while maintaining its integrity, authenticity and evidential value, with emphasis on ethical practices, legal considerations and controlled investigative procedures.

Skills Covered

• Fundamentals of cyber and digital forensics
• Digital forensic investigation principles
• Identification and preservation of digital evidence
• Evidence integrity and authenticity
• Chain of custody procedures
• Forensic investigation planning
• Disk and storage media analysis
• File-system analysis
• Deleted and recovered data awareness
• Metadata examination
• Operating system artefact analysis
• Memory forensics fundamentals
• Network forensics fundamentals
• Log and event analysis
• Email and web artefact analysis
• Mobile and endpoint forensics awareness
• Incident investigation procedures
• Evidence documentation and case management
• Forensic reporting
• Ethical and legal considerations
• Secure handling of forensic evidence

Why Join This Programme?

• Develop foundational knowledge of digital and cyber forensic investigations.
• Understand how digital evidence is identified, preserved and analysed.
• Learn the importance of evidence integrity and chain of custody.
• Develop awareness of disk, file-system, memory, network and log analysis.
• Understand how digital artefacts can support cybersecurity investigations.
• Build structured investigation and forensic documentation skills.
• Develop knowledge relevant to cybersecurity, IT, compliance and digital investigation environments.
• Support further study and professional development in digital forensics and cybersecurity.

Course Objectives

The objectives of this programme are to:

1. Introduce the fundamental principles and applications of cyber forensics.
2. Develop an understanding of digital evidence and its role in investigations.
3. Familiarise learners with procedures for identifying, preserving and handling digital evidence.
4. Explain the importance of evidence integrity, authenticity and chain of custody.
5. Introduce fundamental techniques for examining digital storage and file systems.
6. Develop awareness of memory, network, log, email and operating-system artefact analysis.
7. Introduce systematic approaches to forensic investigation and evidence documentation.
8. Develop knowledge of data recovery and digital artefact identification.
9. Promote ethical, legal and responsible practices in forensic investigations.
10. Develop the ability to prepare clear and structured forensic investigation reports.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, learners should be able to:

• Explain the fundamental principles, objectives and applications of cyber forensics.
• Describe the role of digital evidence in cybersecurity and technology-related investigations.
• Identify common sources and types of digital evidence.
• Explain the importance of preserving the integrity and authenticity of digital evidence.
• Describe appropriate chain-of-custody procedures for forensic evidence.
• Plan basic digital forensic investigations using a structured approach.
• Explain fundamental concepts of forensic imaging and examination of storage media.
• Identify common operating-system and file-system artefacts relevant to investigations.
• Describe basic approaches to identifying and recovering deleted or hidden data.
• Examine basic metadata and digital artefacts for investigative purposes.
• Explain the fundamentals of memory and volatile-data forensics.
• Describe the role of network traffic, system logs and event records in forensic investigations.
• Identify common email, browser and endpoint artefacts that may support an investigation.
• Document forensic procedures, observations and findings accurately.
• Maintain appropriate records relating to evidence collection, handling and analysis.
• Distinguish between factual forensic findings and assumptions or interpretations.
• Prepare structured forensic reports based on documented evidence.
• Explain the importance of secure storage and controlled access to forensic evidence.
• Apply ethical and responsible practices when handling digital evidence and investigative data.
• Recognise legal, organisational or technical matters requiring escalation to qualified forensic, cybersecurity or legal personnel.