XCPD-567 Digital Forensic Analysis

As more fraud is committed in digital environments, understanding computer forensics is increasingly critical for forensic accountants. While a computer forensic specialist emphasizes the preservation and cataloguing of IT assets in the interests of a fraud investigation, including emails, files and documents, images, and databases storing financial, billing and intellectual assets (often referred to as Electronically Stored Information or ESI), a forensic accountant is critical to the analysis and reporting of digital fraud activity.

In this course, participants first assume the role of a digital forensic analyst to gain an understanding of basic computer forensics. Participants will learn computer forensic crime scene procedures, beginning with initial walk-through and evaluation. The focus of the course is on analysis and reporting, with specific emphasis on digital forensic models. Participants will also gain basic familiarity with tools and techniques used by practitioners in a digital fraud case as well as relevant federal laws governing the use of digital evidence in court. Finally, students will examine private sector applications and related case studies to gain insight into practices and techniques to prevent digital fraud.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Compare and contrast the roles of the computer forensic specialist and the forensic accountant in a digital fraud case
• Understand computer forensic crime scene procedures
• Apply specific digital forensic models to analyze digital media
• Identify common tools and techniques (e.g. e-discovery) used by practitioners to examine ESI
• Create a basic plan that incorporates best practices and techniques to prevent digital fraud