Computer Security & Forensics

[Morthoseth]

Afternoon OcUK!

Basically, i left college to work four or five years ago now and didn't have the best grades while at college, though for what its worth i managed to pass computing with a C and finished my Cisco course.

Anyway, I'm actually a very bright lad and as such, with actual motivation i plan on heading off to Uni next September and getting myself a degree.

Now, I've explored the ideas of computer science, computer networking and the like although Computer Forensics and Security has recently started to sound very interesting, and I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with any of the forensics courses offered by Universities in the UK?

All i can find on the Internet are generally American sites, and thus i thought I'd ask the font of all knowledge...

Over to you!

 

[davestar_delux]

There are some very knowledgeable guys on here about this subject, if you have a search in GD it should turn up some good stuff they've posted in the past.

I'd do it myself but just about to eat dinner.

Here's one for starters:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17755862&highlight=forensics

 

[Aod]

i'm doing a digital forensics degree at Coventry, which has one of the best DF courses on offer in the UK - just due to the varied and well structured choice of subjects taught in it. you should bare in mind if you're interested that in either 2010 or 2011 the course is changing to one that's the same as most in the UK - ie, crap.

 

[Kreeeee]

.

 

[tntcoder]

I'm doing an Information Security MSc at UCL at the moment, they sadly have a focus mainly on computer/info security rather than the forensics side of things, but it's an awesome course and I dare say it would open doors into the forensics industry if you a suitable background knowledge on forensics.

As Kreeeee suggested, a straight CS degree is a very good starting point and foundation for a forensics/security career, you cant go wrong with it.

In terms of masters courses to specialise in forensics, Royal Holloway offer some very good options e.g http://www.isg.rhul.ac.uk/node/118 they also have a solid reputation in the subject area and within the industry.

 

[Manlove is my forte]

Computer science will give you a much more rounded education, which means when Computer security & forensics is no longer in vogue you'll have the breadth of knowledge to move in different directions.

Another thing to be aware of is that you may change your mind as to what you want to do in IT by the time you complete your degree.

Computer Forensics is also a very competitive job straight out of Uni, you will need to be prepared to apply for and do other jobs prior to attaining your Ideal Job.

 

[Morthoseth]

I'm a forensic analyst for a "big four" auditor, feel free to add me to MSN if you want a chat.

If you're as intelligent as you say you are then straight computer science will teach you a lot more of the stuff you couldn't easily learn in your own time. For jobs in forensic computing, CS degrees are viewed with the same weight as forensic degrees, but they allow more freedom to study what you want within the general field of computing, allowing you to study more technical aspects rather than some obvious things like why you should use a write-blocker and how to use Encase.

A CS degree also allows you more flexibility if you eventually choose not to go into forensics.

Took you up on that offer mate, have added you to MSN and we can have a chat sometime.

Thanks for the input folks, i'll look into the Computer Science route again although i'm a bit worried about how hard the maths is, although perhaps i'm being naive and anything to do with forensics would be the same...

I didnt take any kind of further maths past GCSE and i seem to have forgotten all of that!

 

[Kreeeee]

.

 

[Morthoseth]

How basic are we talking for basic maths? As far as equations and the like go i'm beyond useless! Any examples you can think of where applying maths in a way related to computer science? I really should go on some open days :/