Project 6: Digital Forensics Analysis

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This project will provide an introduction to digital forensic analysis.

Digital forensic analysis is used to review and investigate data collected through digital communications and computer networks. The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has defined four fundamental phases for forensic analysis: collection, examination, analysis, and reporting. You will learn more about these concepts as you navigate throughout the steps of this project and read the literature and links found in each step.

There are four steps that will lead you through this project. Begin with Step 1: “Methodology. The deliverables for this project are as follows:

1. Digital Forensic Research Paper: This should be a five-page double-spaced Word document with citations in APA format. The page count does not include diagrams or tables.
2. In a Word document, share your lab experience and provide screenshots to demonstrate that you completed the lab.

Step 1: Methodology

The methodology includes following a systems process. Identify the requirements, purpose, and objectives of the investigation. Click the links below to review information that will aid in conducting and documenting an investigation:

• secure programming fundamentals https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Secure%20Programming%20Fundamentals
• forensics fundamentals https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Forensics%20Fundamentals

Learn about the investigation methodology. Consider secure programming fundamentals. Define the digital forensics analysis methodology, and the phases of the digital forensics fundamentals and methodology, including the following:

1. preparation
2. extraction
3. identification
4. analysis

This information will help you understand the process you will use during an investigation.

Step 2: Tools and Techniques

Select the following links to learn about forensics analysis tools, methods, and techniques:

1. forensics analysis tools https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Forensics%20Analysis%20Tools=

 

1. web log and session analysis https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Web%20Log%20and%20Session%20Analysis

 

1. hash analysis https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Hash%20Analysis

 

 

Step 3: Exploring Forensic Tools

Note: You will utilize the tools in Workspace for this step. If you need help outside the classroom, you can register for the CLAB 699 Cyber Computing Lab Assistance (go to the Discussions List for registration information). Primary lab assistance is available from a team of lab assistants. Lab assistants are professionals and are trained to help you.

Click here to access the instructions for Navigating the Workspace and the Lab Setup.

Select the following link to enter Workspace. Complete the forensic tools exercise provided in this lab. Explore the tutorials and user guides to learn more about various types of digital forensic tools.

Click here to access the Project 6 Workspace Exercise Instructions.

You will learn about the different types of tools, techniques, and analyses

 

Step 4: Digital Forensics Research Paper

Now that you have learned basics of digital forensics analyses and methodology, and have experienced one of the common forensic tools, use the material presented in this project as well as research you’ve conducted outside of the course materials to write a research paper that addresses the following:

1. digital forensic methodology
2. the importance of using forensic tools to collect and analyze evidence (e.g., FTK Imager and EnCase)
3. hashing in the context of digital forensics
4. How do you ensure that the evidence collected has not been tampered with (i.e., after collection)? Why and how is this important to prove in a court of law?

The deliverables for this project are as follows:

1. Digital Forensic Research Paper: This should be a five-page double-spaced Word document with citations in APA format. The page count does not include diagrams or tables.
2. In a Word document, share your lab experience and provide screenshots to demonstrate that you completed the lab.

Submit your deliverables to the assignment folder.