Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Computer Forensics?
Computer forensics (Digital forensics) is the science of detection and investigation of crime committed using computers, computer networks, the internet and other digital devices, with the intent of giving digital evidence in litigation.
2. What is the objective of this?
Usually to provide electronic or digital evidence (from digital data collected from a crime scene)before a court of law or tribunal. It is to support and assist law-enforcement, prosecutors, defence attorneys and the judiciary in arriving at the truth of a legal case.
3. What are the common scenarios?
Wide and varied! Examples include:
- Investigation of homicide cases;
- Financial fraud
- Employee internet abuse
- Unauthorized disclosure of corporate information and data (accidental and intentional)
- Industrial espionage
- Damage assessment (following an incident)
- Electronic Blackmail
- More general criminal cases (many criminals simply store information on computers, intentionally or unwittingly)
- and many others!
4. How is a computer forensic investigation approached?
Certified Digital Forensics Examiners follow, strictly, the approved scientific methodology. However, very broadly, the main phases are: secure the suspect system (from tampering during the investigation); take an image copy of hard drive; identify and recover all files (including those deleted); access/copy hidden, protected and temporary files; investigate data/settings from installed applications/programs; assess the system as a whole, including its structure; consider general factors relating to the users activity; create detailed report.
5. I am interested in a career in this field. Where do I start?
This is a common question, with many answers. A good starting point is to complete the Membership Application Form; pay the application fee and submit the form for processing. Then, enroll in the Online Certification Course or the Certification Boot Camp. After the Course, you will be invited for the Professional Membership Induction as a Certified Forensics Examiner.
6. What about training?
Again, one of the requirements for membership in CFIN is training. We, therefore, recommend that you enroll for the Digital and Computer Forensics training programme with our training partners. In addition, you will receive, during the Online Certification Course or Boot Camp, some free forensic tools which can be used as a training and professional resource.
At the end of the Certification Boot Camp, you are expected to pass the following subjects covered during the Online Digital Forensic Certification Course or the Boot Camp:
At the end of the Certification Boot Camp, you are expected to pass the following subjects covered during the Online Digital Forensic Certification Course or the Boot Camp:
- Nature and Scope of Digital Forensics
- Cybercrimes and Cyber Security
- Legal Framework for Cybercrimes
- Legal Framework for Electronic Evidence
- Cryptology: Encryption/Decryption Systems
- Data Recovery: For Disaster Recovery
- Computer Forensics: Acquisition & Examination of Electronic Data
- Computer Forensics: Analysis of Electronic Evidence
- Biometrics
- Questioned Documents Examination & Handwriting Analysis
- Evidence Reporting and Presentation
- Ethics for Digital and Computer Forensics Professional
7. What about Job Opportunities?
As a new field, digital (computer) forensics has a great potential in Nigeria. Prior to 2011, the Evidence Act in Nigeria did not recognize digital or electronic evidence in our law courts. As a result, the practice of digital and compute forensics as a profession in Nigeria was limited. However, as Nigeria enacted the Evidence Act, 2011 (as Amended), the law makes all forms of digital, computer-generated and electronic evidence admissible in all our courts. Furthermore, the Cybercrimes Act, 2015 criminalizes several activities which in the past were not considered to be crimes. All these provide opportunities for Digital Forensics Examiners to practise both locally and internationally. You may wish to google on 'forensics job opportunities', 'forensics pay' for more information.
As a fast growing profession in Nigeria, there are opportunities for employment in governments, agencies, private organizations, law firms, anti-corruption agencies, financial institutions, on private investigation, litigation support as Expert Witnesses, and as Forensic Laboratory Examiners, Data Recovery Experts, Cyber Security Consultants, etc.
As a new field, digital (computer) forensics has a great potential in Nigeria. Prior to 2011, the Evidence Act in Nigeria did not recognize digital or electronic evidence in our law courts. As a result, the practice of digital and compute forensics as a profession in Nigeria was limited. However, as Nigeria enacted the Evidence Act, 2011 (as Amended), the law makes all forms of digital, computer-
As a fast growing profession in Nigeria, there are opportunities for employment in governments, agencies, private organizations, law firms, anti-