Forensics is a very respectable profession. Is there any organization providing Forensic education in Nigeria? I hear that the remuneration is very good and they have government recognition. Does any one know about a scholl offering forensic training. I saw an advert where I was asked to pay about 200,000 for a 1 week training!

Saw a course on that in JAMB Brochure.

Cant really remember which private uni in the east it was again.

What's computer forensics? This is the wikipedia definition, for those who don't know:

Computer forensics

Computer forensics (sometimes known as computer forensic science[1]) is a branch of digital forensic science pertaining to legal evidence found in computers and digital storage media. The goal of computer forensics is to examine digital media in a forensically sound manner with the aim of identifying, preserving, recovering, analyzing and presenting facts and opinions about the information.

Although it is most often associated with the investigation of a wide variety of computer crime, computer forensics may also be used in civil proceedings. The discipline involves similar techniques and principles to data recovery, but with additional guidelines and practices designed to create a legal audit trail.

Evidence from computer forensics investigations is usually subjected to the same guidelines and practices of other digital evidence. It has been used in a number of high profile cases and is becoming widely accepted as reliable within US and European court systems.

Use as evidence
In court computer forensic evidence is subject to the usual requirements for digital evidence; requiring information to be authentic, reliably obtained and admissible. Different countries have specific guidelines and practices for the recovery of evidence. In the United Kingdom examiners often follow guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers which help ensure the authenticity and integrity of evidence. While the guidelines are voluntary they are widely accepted in courts of Wales, England and Scotland.

Computer forensics has been used as evidence in criminal law since the mid 1980s, some notable examples include

BTK Killer
Dennis Rader was convicted of a string of serial killings that occurred over a period of sixteen years. Towards the end of this period, Rader sent letters to the police on a floppy disk. Metadata within the documents implicated an author named "Dennis" at "Christ Lutheran Church"; this evidence helped lead to Rader's arrest.

Joseph E. Duncan III
A spreadsheet recovered from Duncan's computer contained evidence which showed him planning his crimes. Prosecutors used this to show premeditation and secure the death penalty.[5]

Sharon Lopatka
Hundreds of emails on Lopatka's computer lead investigators to her killer, Robert Glass.[4]

Corcoran Group
This case confirmed parties' duties to preserve digital evidence when litigation has commenced or is reasonably anticipated. Hard drives were analyzed by a Computer Forensics expert and could not find relevant emails which the Defendants should have. Although no evidence of deletion on the hard drives were found, evidence came out before the Court that the Defendants were found to have intentionally destroyed emails, misled and failed to disclose material facts to the Plaintiffs and the Court.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_forensics

quest55:

Forensics is a very respectable profession. Is there any organization providing Forensic education in Nigeria? I hear that the remuneration is very good and they have government recognition. Does any one know about a scholl offering forensic training. I saw an advert where I was asked to pay about 200,000 for a 1 week training!

I'm interested to know as well, i have being searching for any professional organisation in Nigerian that deals with Forensic computing but failed to find one, i have written EFCC but they did not reply.

justwise:

I'm interested to know as well, i have being searching for any professional organisation in Nigerian that deals with Forensic computing but failed to find one, i have written EFCC but they did not reply.

forensics in nigeria? you make me laugh.
what are they going to do with it when there's no database for pictures, fingerprints or dna.

nigeria's torture chambers in the police stations are our forensics.
it works effectively. by the time a criminal is dealt with, he would confess what he did not do. fingerprints or dna sample matching na long thing.

coogar:

forensics in nigeria? you make me laugh.
what are they going to do with it when there's no database for pictures, fingerprints or dna.

nigeria's torture chambers in the police stations are our forensics.
it works effectively. by the time a criminal is dealt with, he would confess what he did not do. fingerprints or dna sample matching na long thing.

Not [b]medical [/b]forensics, we are talking about computer forensics or digital forensics. Dealing with ur PCs, mobile phones, USBs, SD memory cards and other devices.

coogar:

forensics in nigeria? you make me laugh.
what are they going to do with it when there's no database for pictures, fingerprints or dna.

nigeria's torture chambers in the police stations are our forensics.
it works effectively. by the time a criminal is dealt with, he would confess what he did not do. fingerprints or dna sample matching na long thing.

I am currently studying Info Security which is related to forensics here in the UK, the police here in the UK use a software called ENCASE. i Didnt hear of it in Nigeria till i got here.I Dont think tht course is relevant in Nigeria

justwise:

Not [b]medical [/b]forensics, we are talking about computer forensics or digital forensics. Dealing with your PCs, mobile phones, USBs, SD memory cards and other devices.

computer forensics are wide - medical, criminal, etc.
but i get where you are coming from - of course there would be computer forensics but at a very high security level e.g presidency and national security. you will only find that with military intelligence, state security service, etc.

- not the common police station!

Good old CCTV will help a bit.

@Poster,

I don't think there is any reputable Computer forensic school in Nigeria. Most of the good schools are in the US, but the last time i checked it was around USD30k for a one year MSC in computer security and forensics.

However, there are varoius options you have if you are interested in Computer forensics.
1. Get hands on experience in Network security, penetration testing and vunrability testing. This takes years to acquire,
2. In tandam, shoot for security specific certifications, GISSP, CCCIE security etc, Also takes lots of hard work.
3. Attend specific security related short courses
4. Self learn. Visit sites like http://sectools.org/. Buy books, use google and teach yourself.  Hard work, and be careful you dont get into trouble breaking into people's network.


Have fun!

Also,

People should not think Nigeria is that backwards,

I used to work in Network security below i left Nigeria, now i'm more a routing and swithing person,

Anyway, i have friends in banks and telcos in Nigeria that very good Network security and pen test engineers, , Like i said its lots of work, experience and study

hackney:

Good old CCTV will help a bit.

that is. . . if movie directors don't steal the cctvs to shoot their nollywood movies

Well as far back as 4yrs ago, when finished my secondary school, I wanted to study Forensic Computing at Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology, APIIT Malaysia. I knew it exist being in Nigeria here, but I am not sure if it was recognized or not.

You can check for more info at http://apiit.edu.my

Why all the yapping of what is beyond the thought of average Nigerian !!.

How and what makes any one think that A forensic institution exists in Nigeria !! In a country where research and technological development is far behind the age of development worldwide.

Look around you, think before you ask certain questions.

In the best university computer science is still being taught with knowledge that's at best 10 years old. Who of the faculty has the brain to think forensic. In a country where crime investigators barely know what Forensic is about.

Guardian:

Why all the yapping of what is beyond the thought of average Nigerian !!.

How and what makes any one think that A forensic institution exists in Nigeria !! In a country where research and technological development is far behind the age of development worldwide.

Look around you, think before you ask certain questions.

In the best university computer science is still being taught with knowledge that's at best 10 years old. Who of the faculty has the brain to think forensic. In a country where crime investigators barely know what Forensic is about.

@moderators, did som1 actually delete my earlier post?
i dont think my earlier response was against the rules of this thread. unless i didnt read d rules b4 having more than 2400 post

Guardian:

Why all the yapping of what is beyond the thought of average Nigerian !!.

How and what makes any one think that A forensic institution exists in Nigeria !! In a country where research and technological development is far behind the age of development worldwide.

Look around you, think before you ask certain questions.

I[b]n the best university computer science is still being taught with knowledge that's at best 10 years old. Who of the faculty has the brain to think forensic. In a country where crime investigators barely know what Forensic is about.
[/b]

you hash oo

Does anybody have an idea of any opensource software for mobile/smart phone forensics?

What do u want out of a phone. If you want data virtually all tools that work on your hard disk would unearth same on your MicroSIM.

If you want to bug a fone u better have 'ur hands on it and know how to write the APP for either iPhone, Symbian or aaaah WINDOWS Mobile ( they would nerve disappoint you. A hole would be left )

Else,

use any of thee links

http://www.recoverdata.in/recovery-data/forensics-utilities.html

http://www.smartphoneforensics.com/MobileSpyware.aspx

http://www.recoverdata.in/recovery-data/sim-card-data-recovery-utilities.html

End


If you want to spy on a female friend. WASTE Of time and effort !!.

For those of you interested in locating a practical Study site check here http://www.forensicfocus.com/computer-forensics-education-directory

Computer Forensic is a reality. We render data recovery services use in computer forensic . Data can never be lost in any storage device. We specialize in data recovery from damages of any kind on your hard disk, flash drive, memory stick, virus attack, shortcut folders, invisible folders etc. Attached are some of the tools we use. Our tools handle problems with brands of HDD ranging form Western Digital, Toshiba, Hitachi, Samsung, IBM to Fujitsu.

When you have issues with your Hard Disk, the less you keep on trying the more you reduce risk of damaging your files and chances of getting them back.

Also, problems with Hard Disk is best handled by Hard Disk engineer not computer engineer.

Contact:
Carl Mundo Data Recovery Services (Subsidiary of Bond and Seal Ltd)
Suite 14C Zone 3 Shopping Complex Abuja

Suite D8 Abuja Shopping Mall Wuse Zone 3 Abuja

C-Quence Computer Institute, Shiek Plaza Wuse Zone 5 beside Golden Gate Hotel Abuja

Call: 08033300116, 08185796231

Guardian:

What do u want out of a phone. If you want data virtually all tools that work on your hard disk would unearth same on your MicroSIM.

If you want to bug a fone u better have 'your hands on it and know how to write the APP for either iPhone, Symbian or aaaah WINDOWS Mobile  ( they would nerve disappoint you. A hole would be left )

Else,

use any of thee links

http://www.recoverdata.in/recovery-data/forensics-utilities.html

http://www.smartphoneforensics.com/MobileSpyware.aspx

http://www.recoverdata.in/recovery-data/sim-card-data-recovery-utilities.html

End


If you want to spy on a female friend. WASTE Of time and effort !!.

For those of you interested in locating a practical Study site check here http://www.forensicfocus.com/computer-forensics-education-directory

Thanks for those links, will try them out, i have an account in forensicfocus for some months now, good website.

I'm basically using it for ethical forensic data carving, pure educational, no bugging or snipping. . ahaha

Guardian:

What do u want out of a phone. If you want data virtually all tools that work on your hard disk would unearth same on your MicroSIM.

If you want to bug a fone u better have 'your hands on it and know how to write the APP for either iPhone, Symbian or aaaah WINDOWS Mobile ( they would nerve disappoint you. A hole would be left )

Else,

use any of thee links

http://www.recoverdata.in/recovery-data/forensics-utilities.html

http://www.smartphoneforensics.com/MobileSpyware.aspx

http://www.recoverdata.in/recovery-data/sim-card-data-recovery-utilities.html

End


If you want to spy on a female friend. WASTE Of time and effort !!.

For those of you interested in locating a practical Study site check here http://www.forensicfocus.com/computer-forensics-education-directory

Do you think that program like Scalpel, Foremost or photorec will extract files in mobile phone or digital camera? I use Ubuntu.

As an IT Security Analyst, it depends on what part of forensics you talking about as its quite broad. judging from my experience and the infrastructure we have in Nigeria, I personally do not think its beneficiary at this moment because of many issues which you and I are aware of. In Nigeria we are only in the shell stage of harnessing IT and its potential, we simply don't have the means to support it. IT forensics like i said , its one of the module i covered when i was doing my MSc in IT security and believe you me its a very difficult industry to get into, the reason being you will need to be technically astute and have evidence of being in IT security for at least 5years. Also take this scenario for example a big multinational company has suspected that a director in one of the offices has been embezzling funds or downloading pornographic material on the network thereby breaching the user policy guides and exposing the company to computer threats which covers hacking, virus, spamming and some other attacks you have heard of. The decision has been made from HQ to gather as much information to prosecute the director, the company would want to send an expert to investigate the staff and gather as much evidence as the forensic officer can gather. They will not send a novice to do this task, they would rather send an experience computer forensic expert to investigate. Now this involves various steps which is has to be done legally and as an expert you need to know what is acceptable forensic gathering so that you will have a strong case to build against this person. Now the problem is most companies don't have time to bring in a novice o train up so they would rather call companies thereby not giving opportunities to newbie(fresh graduate) unless you are a a genius. To cut the long story short, my advice would be yeah go for it, but do consider if there are is a market for it in Nigeria ? There is a market but because of the level of corruption where things are not black white will be difficult to secure a single conviction and not only that as well, your safety is important, because if someone knows you are investigating them which might lead to their downfall, i tell you your life is in danger o.

So in conclusion its a good course to do and a good knowledge to have, its definitely on the rise and it is in good demands in developed countries. One thing also is to know which area you want to focus on. do more research on goggle and you will be enlightened. Good luck

yomz1e:

As an IT Security Analyst, it depends on what part of forensics you talking about as its quite broad. judging from my experience and the infrastructure we have in Nigeria, I personally do not think its beneficiary at this moment because of many issues which you and I are aware of. In Nigeria we are only in the shell stage of harnessing IT and its potential, we simply don't have the means to support it. IT forensics like i said , its one of the module i covered when i was doing my MSc in IT security and believe you me its a very difficult industry to get into, the reason being you will need to be technically astute and have evidence of being in IT security for at least 5years. Also take this scenario for example a big multinational company has suspected that a director in one of the offices has been embezzling funds or downloading pornographic material on the network thereby breaching the user policy guides and exposing the company to computer threats which covers hacking, virus, spamming and some other attacks you have heard of. The decision has been made from HQ to gather as much information to prosecute the director, the company would want to send an expert to investigate the staff and gather as much evidence as the forensic officer can gather. They will not send a novice to do this task, they would rather send an experience computer forensic expert to investigate. Now this involves various steps which is has to be done legally and as an expert you need to know what is acceptable forensic gathering so that you will have a strong case to build against this person. Now the problem is most companies don't have time to bring in a novice o train up so they would rather call companies thereby not giving opportunities to newbie(fresh graduate) unless you are a a genius. To cut the long story short, my advice would be yeah go for it, but do consider if there are is a market for it in Nigeria ? There is a market but because of the level of corruption where things are not black white will be difficult to secure a single conviction and not only that as well, your safety is important, because if someone knows you are investigating them which might lead to their downfall, i tell you your life is in danger o.

So in conclusion its a good course to do and a good knowledge to have, its definitely on the rise and it is in good demands in developed countries. One thing also is to know which area you want to focus on. do more research on goggle and you will be enlightened. Good luck

Your story is a long one and even if you are trying to make a point, this example doesn't fit. This is no forensic job. It's simple content management. All traffic goes through a Firewall, content management tool or Proxy. Trust me a lot of data can be piped off the user without infringe on rights. A newbie with a few days training can figure this out.

In response to Guardian "Your story is a long one and even if you are trying to make a point, this example doesn't fit.  This is no forensic job. It's simple content management. All traffic goes through a Firewall, content management tool or Proxy. Trust me a lot of data can be piped off the user without infringe on rights.  A newbie with a few days training can figure this out"

i am not sure if you read the 1st post or i misread it, the guy is not asking for data recovery freewares, he asked if there is a good case to become a forensic expert, please correct me if i am wrong, i read the page and it dididn'tay the guest wasn't asking for  recovery tools which you provided the links.  Any child can download this tool and recover lost data but when it comes to serious cases, you need softwares that cost a arm& a leg ,  i know because i work in the field and my friend Content   there is a very wide margin between data recovery and computer forensic.  also you mentioned this is simply content managmenmanagementhas nothing to do with data recovery or forensics. You need to understand what CMS is bebefore e using it in this thread.  Also Not all traffic goes through firewall has it can be circumvented or masked, and stealing data from user without infringing their rights is illegal and this falls under data protection and the only time it can be breached is if it's a matter of national security.  I do agree with you though a newbie can use this recovery tool but not a proper forensic tool.

here is a link on CMS, incase you in casewant to argue that it has to do with forensic or data recovery, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_management_system

you welcome.

Yomz1e,
I agreed he is not asking for data recovery. I merely posted basic elementary tools that anybody starting forensic practice would need to recover data from a storage. I further fixed links to basic forensic site. And I bet he got the message. Forensic Is Rewarding but you can't get that education or appreciation here in Nigeria. Forensic is not Ethical Hacking Certification !!

For purpose of simplicity. When I used the term content management, I was in no way referring to CMS. Content management tools as contained in Cisco IOS Content Filtering, Checkpoint, Juniper SRX, is what I meant/ was referring to. The modules that do the filtering manages contents, either byte,datagrams or packet. What ever the form or measure.

Lastly a proper IT policy framework would contain and tell the User that all data sent through the company's IT systems are monitored. He/She signs an appropriate use document or seek employment elsewhere. No be by force.

The company owns the Asset and reserve the right to peep, store or forward any data. If you want to do personal stuff, Go use your own private connection and asset in your own private confines .
The AIM - We got proof that you violated and acted against company interest or committed illegal acts. You can argue the rest later in a court of Law.

quest55:

Forensics is a very respectable profession. Is there any organization providing Forensic education in Nigeria? I hear that the remuneration is very good and they have government recognition. Does any one know about a scholl offering forensic training. I saw an advert where I was asked to pay about 200,000 for a 1 week training!

we have the
Computer Forensics Institute, Nigera (CFIN)

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5467644-182/Waiting_for_laws_to_combat_cybercrime.csp

if you can lay your hands on JAMB Brochure, you'll find one or two schools offering that course.

If a Nigerian private university can produce the youngest Sun Java Architect and another can generate 'half of Google's traffic', i see no big deal in offering Computer Forensics as a course. Afterall, we perform kidney transplants.

quest55:

Forensics is a very respectable profession. Is there any organization providing Forensic education in Nigeria? I hear that the remuneration is very good and they have government recognition. Does any one know about a scholl offering forensic training. I saw an advert where I was asked to pay about 200,000 for a 1 week training!

Yes, there is Computer Forensics Institute Nigeria (CFIN). I did the training in Kaduna last year. If you afford it go for it but you will need further training that will enable you specialize in either data recovery, hand writing analysis, Biometrics etc. If you want more details, let me know.

There is a bill before National Assembly on admissibility of digital evidence in law courts. The moment that bill is passed Forensic will take off fully in Nigeria. We have a long way to go but we will get there.

See details below:

Computer Forensics Institute Nigeria (CFIN) is a professional organization approved by both the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Justice, and incorporated under CAMA 1 of 1990. One of its goals is to provide a nationally recognized, unblemished certification that is available to all who can qualify.

CFIN continually conducts research and development into new and emerging technologies and methods in the science of computer forensics. This development is reflected in the certifications that are offered by the CFIN.

The principal certification offered by CFIN is the Chartered Computer Forensics Examiner. First awarded in 2008, this certification is the result of CFIN’s desire to increase the level of professionalism and advance the field and science of computer forensics.

CFIN Certification Board maintains a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competency of computer forensics examiners and sets high forensics and ethical standards for computer forensics examiners.

Computer Forensics Institute Nigeria (CFIN) is dedicated to the advancement of the science of digital and computer forensics examinations.

The purpose of CFIN is to:

Professionalize and advance the science of digital and computer forensics
Provide a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competency of digital and computer forensics examiners
Set high forensics and ethical standards for digital and computer forensics examiners
Conduct research and development into new and emerging technologies and methods in the science of digital and computer forensic

CFIN administers the Chartered Computer Forensics Examiner certification which is available to both law enforcement and non-law enforcement digital and computer forensics examiners.

There is no granting of CFIN certification without being properly tested and evaluated by the CFIN Certification Board. All intending members must meet the same certification requirements and must successfully pass through the certification process. Applicants with recognized CCFE or similar qualifications will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

If you intend to apply or sit for the CFIN certification, please complete the CFIN Application and CFIN Ethics form.

In order to complete CFIN certification process, the applicant must:

Have no criminal record
Meet minimum experience, training requirements or have verifiable self study in computer forensics examinations
Abide by the CFIN Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility Standards
Pass a certification examination.
Successfully perform actual Computer forensics examinations on three test media
Register for the BootCamp applicable to each level of the certification process.