Inexpensive Computer Forensic Training

Good Afternoon,

I am looking for some inexpensive computer forensic training. I am a civilian forensic analyst with a local police department and they do not have the funds to send me to software training like EnCase & AccessData. I have attended the IACIS basic training as well as the majority of the NW3C classes that are being offered. Does anybody have any suggestions? Can a civilian with law enforcement attend the secret service computer forensic training?

Thanks in advance.

Check out http//www.icactraining.org/

I am also from a small department, but in the past few years have received vauable training and hardware through ICAC.

I recently was selected as one out of 25 in NC to received a forensic computer, encase software, and training through ICAC. They are great group to work with and you will find so many contacts in the computer field.

I hope this helps!

I'd suggest a couple of things…

First of all, what are the predominant cases you work? Take a look at those, and think about what went well, and what you think you could do better. Then pursue that on your own.

Another approach is to take a look at some of the images that have been posted…NIST, and Lance's practicals…and work through them yourself. Some of the write-ups have been posted…I posted my report for Lance's first practical in the Win4n6 forum. Those are great places to start.

A lot of times you don't need to sit in a class to get the training you need. Many times, if you think about what it is you need to know more about, that's all that you really need….

Buy some books and block some time in you day for reading and self induced training.

I have

File System Forensic Analysis - Brian Carrier
Windows Forensic Analysis Ed. 1 & Ed. 2 - Harlan Carvey (keydat89)
The Official EnCase Certified Examiner Study Guide - Steve Buntin

And lots of other books on Windows, Linux, etc.

Also remember "Google is your friend". If you have a question or a problem, somebody else may have had the same issue.

I've had some really great forensics related classes and some not so great classes. After all of them it really boils down to one thing with forensic products/tools…Practice, Practice, Practice.

You don't become an expert at using a tool by going to classes. You become an expert by using the tool until it becomes second nature to you. I've seen a reference to "Outliers The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell in which he says it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. Obviously that can't all be classroom hours.

TonyC