Hello,
I've decided to go back to Uni and study for a Masters, after finishing BSc Computer Forensics earlier this year. After searching this forum for where the most respected courses are, I would like your recommendations on which degree would be most beneficial for a career in forensics? Either more forensics or network security.
Thus far I've got it down to MSc Computer Forensics
or a network security topic
If I were to choose more forensics it would be to bring my knowledge of the subject to a higher level so I don't hit catch 22, no experience. I'm currently reading books and using free tools to circumvent this.
Many thanks for any tips.
I expect I could provide some help with this question, but it would be useful to know which Uni you did your BSc at and some understanding of the theory and, in particular, practice that you were exposed to during the same. PM me if you prefer.
I studied at Northumbria and
To sum it up the course covered areas such as programming, web design, networking, network security and ethical hacking and one module of information security (cryptography). The computer forensic side covered areas such as basic procedures (seizing evidence, note taking, reports), how to use Encase and FTK, basics of windows artefacts, registry and a small amount of file system and physical memory analysis.
The course covered the theory pretty well, however there wasn't as much hands on practical work. If I were to choose this course I would like to get to grips with more data recovery if possible, although there will probably be more specialist courses made available once working in the field.
The network security side covered how to use programs like Nmap, Nesus and Wireshark to enumerate information from a network, basics on how C can be used to perform attacks and protocols / OSI model.
My current reading includes File System Forensic Analysis, Windows Forensic Analysis, this forum and windows incident response blog. Previously read the EnCE Encase book. Also use WinHex, ProDiscover, FTK Imager and Process Monitor to analyse my computer/vmware.
Thanks for the response!
Just finished an MSC in internet computing , it also covered very similar material including forensics…., web design , networking , ethical hacking.
It seems that most of the MSC's in computers cover the same material , but your expected to do the disertation/thesis in a particular area.
I've decided not to do another MSc in computers unless the areas they cover are radically different. theres only so many discussion questions you can do in the same areas, before boredom sets in…..
Personally I'd give it a year and spend the time in some 'real world' research, then review your options.
I'm seriously considering a Phd, but only so I can pull the birds.
Yep, finished Uni in May, and have been getting interviews with the Police however the job market seems stagnant at the moment. That's why I want to go back for a year so by mid 2011 things should have picked up.
I've been contacting course lectures to see what their courses entail in comparison to a BSc. Just need to find out if its what employers want?
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