Keiser University Cyber Forensics and Information Security faculty team members find the creation of lifelike investigative scenarios very beneficial. As students learn to collect, catalog, and maintain ‘chain of custody’ procedures, the group regularly creates ‘real-world’ learning scenarios in collaboration with the program of Forensic Investigations.

In one such lesson, three students arrive at a ‘crime scene’ along with their equipment. They don gloves and open the door to discover a grizzly setting where two students from the Forensics Science program are already taking pictures and dusting for prints. The cyber team members immediately join the investigation by taking notes and additional photos. They then seize two laptops, one personal computer, and other ‘artifacts’ that could be carrying evidence.

In another scenario, students are told that an unauthorized website downloaded malware into a network. Simulating real-world scenarios and environments, the group, using industry-standard security tools, analyzes the network traffic and the firewall log to determine how it was compromised, what computer-initiated access, and which malware-based code infiltrated the system.

After each investigation, students corroborate their findings by using forensic tools and reviewing the suspect computer’s browsing and downloading history, logs, and files. Finally, they determine whether the access was intentional by analyzing the user’s browsing history and digital fingerprints.

“With the increase in cybercrimes, all organizations require cyber personnel capable of protecting and responding to a threat, which makes the job market more promising than ever,” said Professor Franklin Gonzalez, a member of the Cyber Forensics and Information Security faculty team. “To be part of this incredibly interesting field, a person needs to be curious about technology, comfortable with change, have a knack for observation and solving problems, and desire to keep learning throughout their professional life. If this appeals to students, earning an Information Technology Associate of Science degree could be the first step to an exciting career, as well as attending cybersecurity conferences, remaining up to date on industry news, and earning industry certifications,” he said.

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Forensics and Information Security is a completion program for graduates of Associate of Science programs in computer-related fields. It provides students with the technical expertise and investigation skills required to detect and prevent cybercrimes. Students will also be able to assess system weaknesses and suggest solutions that will protect against cybercriminal attacks.

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Investigations (Investigations Concentration) prepares students with competencies in the collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence for presentation in legal proceedings. The program provides students with the skills required to recognize relevant scientific information discoverable through forensic analysis of various types of physical evidence.

Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university, serving nearly 20,000 students and employing 2,900 faculty and staff members. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, the university currently offers more than 100 degrees at 21 Florida campuses, as well as online and at two international sites. Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a level VI institution to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral levels. For additional information regarding Keiser University, visit http://www.keiseruniversity.edu.