Computer forensics and investigations
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| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
If a criminal or malicious employee stole data from your organisation, would you have the skills to detect it? Could you gather evidence that would allow you to recover losses in the courts or help the authorities prosecute a criminal case? Could you advise management on how to protect your organisation and mitigate loss? This course offers a sound initial grounding for those who will investigate forensic computing incidents. As well as practical work using real forensic computing tools, you’ll also learn the research skills necessary to keep up with changes in both the law and forensic computing research methodologies.
Course content
What are the proper ways to carry out an investigation in the digital domain? Security and adequate protection from intrusion or attack are important issues for everyone, from large corporations to individuals. Just as no one would consider leaving their doors and windows unlocked on their premises, firewall and anti-virus software have become the norm for IT systems of any size.
In M889, you will learn how to deal with situations where security measures have failed; or where some malicious activity has occurred, or is alleged to have occurred, involving computing equipment. You will develop an understanding of the necessary investigatory disciplines. You will also be introduced to key legislation applicable in England and Wales (the majority of which also applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland) and briefly examine relevant EU and International Law.
The course will provide some initial practical experience in using real computer forensic tools to investigate a problem. This will give you an opportunity to learn about the range of forensic artefacts we create in our modern digital life, such as web browsing, email and other activities. In addition, you will learn how to develop a forensic readiness program for an organisation, as well as how to critically evaluate forensic tools and keep up to date with new developments in computing forensics research. Please ensure that you read the entry requirements below as having access to an organisation is an essential part of the course.
Vocational relevance
This course provides an introduction to the techniques of forensic computing. By completing the course, you will be both a technical and a management asset in almost any organisation, but you would need to complete further courses to become a fully qualified forensic technician or investigator.
Entry
There are no entry requirements, but we assume that you have already studied to HNC/HND level or have equivalent experience from your employment.
It is an advantage to have some experience working in an environment where information security is an issue. Throughout the course you will be asked to relate course concepts with the practice in an organisation with which you are familiar. In the final part of the course assessment, you will be asked to analyse the forensic readiness of a medium to large organisation, for which you will need their permission and cooperation. This could be your employer, or any suitable organisation to which you have access. Obtaining the information and documentation that you need may take some time, and could require the active support of your manager or person responsible for the organisation. We recommend that you make any necessary arrangements before the start of the course although you do not need to start collecting the documentation until during the course. If you require any further information please contact the Postgraduate Technology and Computing Office (telephone 0115 971 5566, or email us).
You will be expected to be able to reboot a computer from a CD, which may require changing a BIOS setting, and to install and de-install hard disks. If you are unfamiliar with this, then you may need some help and advice for this part of the course. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Discount for Open University Graduates
If you are a graduate of The Open University (holding either an undergraduate or masters degree) you are eligible for a discount of £100 towards the cost of this course. Telephone 0845 3666056 or email us to claim your discount when you register for this course.
Qualifications
M889 is an optional course in our:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (C69)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development (D69)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems (E10)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Software Projects (E19)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Networks and Distributed Systems (E18)
- MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05)
- MSc in Information Systems (F37)
- MSc in Software Development (F26)
- MSc in Networks and Distributed Systems (F42)
- MSc in Management of Software Projects (F43)
- MSc in Technology Management (F36)
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet when studying M889. If you have a computer with screen reading and synthetic speech facilities, you will need to check that these will work with the course material and software well in advance of starting the course.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
M889 is presented fully online within the Open University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), which includes a course website and optional online forums. There are no printed texts; all the materials you will need to undertake M889 will be available online from the website, although you will be sent a CD containing the course software, Helix, and another disk with sample material for forensic examination.
You will need
It would be extremely desirable to have access to a second low-spec PC (minimum 256 MB RAM) with a CD-ROM drive to use as a test machine for forensic examinations. This would enable you to read course materials and compose TMAs without having to reboot the computer you are using for testing.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the course, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance. There is usually a lively student online forum. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Professional recognition
The British Computer Society (BCS) offers exemption from some of its membership requirements for holders of an appropriate MSc in Computing from The Open University. M889 can form part of such an MSc. For more details you can download our Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy. BCS regulations are on their website.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May and November 2010. We expect it to be available twice a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
A postgraduate course in Computing and ICT.
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