Masters in Digital Forensics?

C.Fountain

Hey everyone,

I'm currently studying for a BS in Cybersecurity at UMUC, and I'm considering continuing onto my Masters after I graduate next Spring. UMUC allows you to register for Graduate-level courses as an undergrad, so I could take my first two Masters classes during my last undergrad semester. My worry is that UMUC may not be the best place to pursue a Masters in Digital Forensics.

Does anyone know the general reputation/feeling of an MS from UMUC? Are there better Maryland/D.C/Virginia schools for Digital Forensics? The MS program at UMUC only takes a year and a half, but I'm not sure if it's worth continuing there.

Thanks for any help!

636-555-3226

I didnt even know you could get a masters in digital forensics!

historian1974

UCF has an MS in Digital Forensics. Master of Science in Digital Forensics, UCF

I did my undergrad at UCF. It's a solid school.

aderon

UCF also has a really strong Collegiate Cyber Defense Club if you're into that sort of thing. They've gotten 1st place nationally the last two years in a row.

the_Grinch

https://forensicsciences.columbian.gwu.edu/master-science-high-technology-crime-investigation

GW is a great school and I've heard good things about their program.

MickyDee

Does anybody have any idea how creditable UMUC's MS Digital Forensics program is? Mainly for law enforcement opportunities?

beads

I do forensics but have only known a couple of full time forensics people, neither with Master's degree's in the field. We're a small lot as it is but suspect you must be preparing for government work as the civilian side rarely calls for dedicated forensics people.

As to reputation? Most forensics people I have known come from SANS and add EnCase, maybe a FTK cert.

- b/eads

PJ_Sneakers

Don't count on a master's degree getting you any law enforcement opportunities. If you want to be in law enforcement, apply to an academy. Some agencies will even pay you to attend their academy. Other academies you have to be sponsored, or pay your own tuition.

And then there are the Feds, too. But their requirements are usually a 4 year degree, making a master's overkill. Also, they don't really care what your major is so much.

MickyDee

Thanks for the insight. I am aiming towards the Feds. I know the FBI recently had a cyber SA position in the past, so I figured that this would be a good way to make myself stand out more. I know that other agencies, such as NCIS, AFOSI, etc., are hurting for individuals with cyber backgrounds. Do you think that getting forensic related certs would be a better use of my time and money? I still have 18 months on my GI Bill, so I'm trying to use my resources to land a career in law enforcement/investigations.

beads

I'd send out at least some feelers on prospects and pick up some real world experience first if I could. Generally, the larger legal shops will likely have some forensic work available. DC would be your likely place to look for such. Find out if you really enjoy sitting in a small room, alone and doing real forensics before making the plunge into becoming a forensics only specialist. You may get into a real investigation and decide otherwise.

As for SANS. Yeah if your intent is to work in the field long term that would be an excellent way to go. Forensics for Windows satisfies the EnCase training requirement but its up to you to get the case work done before sitting for the exam. FTK is a bit looser but I would entirely suggest getting a real case or two and if possible court before making a huge commitment to a small field.

Personally, I do not talk to anyone at work for a couple of weeks at a time when I do real forensic work.

Just general background information for others reading. Forensics is expensive like no other security discipline. Few people do this on there own allowing the organizations buy all this stuff themselves.

Basic first year forensic kit (a real one).
First EnCase kit will run $5400+ Annual renewals.
Tableau password breaking $2300 depending on the model
Assorted dongles, wires and accessories: $200

Software

VMWorkstation (Needs the real thing here)
Tons of FoSS like PDF dumper, OliDebug, etc
Elmcosoft and or Passware $1200 a piece
More Hardware and storage

Separate hightower With NVida 990, loaded: $~3,500
Large fireproof safe
digital cameras
other stuff I've collected over the years.

I don't even do this part of security full time.

EnCase Certification (retired)

- b/eads

PJ_Sneakers

As b/eads has stated, private sector opportunities in digital forensics is limited. If you are a security guy that likes forensics, I'd say look more towards a generalized infosec degree that doesn't pigeonhole you as much. You can always cert up and specialize later. And as far as the Feds go, you will also have opportunities to get trained inside those Agencies if you make it through their hiring process and make the right connections.

b/eads is also spot on about the costs.

My my opinion is that it's more advantageous to have an infosec degree than a cyber forensics degree.

Forensics sounds fun, but unless you are working a lot of various types of cases, it's mostly tedious. Most IT people hate documenting what they do all day, and that's the bulk of an examiner's job. I mean, every thing you do has to be documented.

And working a lot of criminal cases can eventually wear you down emotionally. It can be really crappy at times.