The digital boom has led to an inevitable increase in computer and mobile-based crimes that misuse critical information available online. Thus, the demand for digital and computer forensics professionals is witnessing an all-time high. Read on to know where you can pursue computer forensics courses in India. Also, the various prospects of computer forensics careers in India.
Where Does India Stand in the Cybercrime Landscape?
India’s current internet penetration is at 34% i.e. nearly 500 million Indians have created their presence online.
What does that mean?
A larger pool of gullible victims for cyber conmen to choose from and target! And a boom in computer forensics careers in India.
Reports show Indians to be excessively vulnerable to online banking and credit/debit card frauds along with phishing scams and ransomware.
India falls prey to at least one cybercrime in every 10 minutes.
Though many go unreported, more than 1.7 lakhs cybercrimes have been reported in India in the last couple of years.
In fact, India is the third most vulnerable country to cyber threats as per a survey by Cyber Security Company, Symantec.
Defining Computer Forensics
Also known as cyber forensics, computer forensics plays a prime role in the investigation of online frauds and cyber offenses. It encompasses the extraction and study of digital evidence from laptops, computers, hard disks, USB drives, and other storage media.
It is a branch of digital forensics and deals solely with the collection, preservation, and analysis of digital data in a legally permissible way. It basically involves the investigation of any device having a basic storage capacity and computing ability.
Application of Computer Forensics in Criminal Investigations
Computer Forensics jobs provide professionals with the opportunity to get involved in almost all types of criminal investigations. A computer’s involvement in a crime can be in either or both of the following ways:
- Used to commit the crime. Examples – Hacking, Cyberterrorism, Cyber Stalking, Cyber Pornography
- Stores the evidence in the form of emails, documents, metadata, browsing history or other relevant files pertaining to heinous crimes such as kidnapping, murder, drug trafficking or fraud.
Computer forensics jobs involve the extraction of existing and obliterated data from a computing or storage device. Following are some examples of cases requiring the intervention of computer forensics experts.
- Forgeries
- Regulatory Compliance
- Theft of Intellectual Property
- Bankruptcies
- Frauds
- Espionage
- Data Theft
- Inappropriate Use of Email or Internet at Workplace
Computer Forensics Courses in India
The booming forensics career in India has made computer forensics courses increasingly popular among students. Following is the scope of computer forensics courses:
- Approach & methods of cybercrime investigations
- Defensive measures for damage control in case of cyber attacks
- Preventive measures for evading cybercrimes
- Identification of early signs to prevent potential attacks
- Different types of risks in networking and computerized operations
Who is Eligible for a Computer Forensics Course?
Computer forensics career in India largely involves the application of computer science to support the legal and criminal justice system.
A graduate in Computer Science, Information Technology or Computer Applications is most eligible for a Cyber/Computer Forensics course. A cyber forensics professional needs to pursue a post-graduation in Cyber Forensics or a certification in Information Security and/or Ethical Hacking.
Topics Taught in Computer Forensics Course
Computer Forensics courses in India provide education and training to budding cyber forensics experts on cyber security, cyber laws, use of digital forensics tools, and the process of cybercrime investigation.
Fundamentals of Computer Forensics:
Introduction to Computer History and Computers, Fundamentals of Storage, Concepts of File System, Operating System Software, Software & Hardware Classification, Windows & DOS Prompt Commands, Computer Ethics, Computer Input-Output Devices, Basics of Computer Terminology, Computer Storage, Network, Internet, Mobile Forensics, Computer Application Programs, Introduction to Computer Forensics, Data Recovery, and Basic Terminology
Data Recovery:
Ethics and Procedures for Data Recovery, Preservation and Handling of Digital Evidence, Introduction to the Methods and Tools for Extraction & Recovery of deleted, temporary and cache files, and formatted partition from computers and storage devices, Analysis of complete timeline of Digital Files, Documentation of Chain of Custody, File Access and Modification, Recovery of Internet Usage Data, and knowledge of various Digital Forensic Toolkits
Cyber Investigations:
Methods and tools used for Cyber Forensics Investigations, Email Recovery, Tracking & Investigation, e-Discovery, Collection and Preservation of Digital Evidence, Seizure and Search of Computers and Digital Storage Devices, IP Tracking, Password Cracking, Methods of Encryption and Decryption, and Extraction of Deleted Digital Evidence
Basics of Cyber Laws:
Introduction to Cyber Crimes and IT Laws. This includes laws associated with Intellectual property issues and cyberspace –Virus Attacks, Malware, Hacking, Software Piracy, Cyber Pornography, Social Engineering, Cyber Harassment, Email Scams, DDoS attacks etc.
Cyber Security:
Basics of Cyber Security, Software and Hardware-Based Security Measures, Analysis of Threat Levels, Reporting Cyber Crimes, Firewalls and Security Standards, Knowledge of Operating System and Application Attacks, Formation of Incident Response Team, Financial Frauds, Cracking Techniques, and Reverse Engineering
Institutions Offering Computer Forensics Courses in India
The following is a list of universities and colleges in India that offer full-time and certificate Computer Forensics courses.
1. Gujarat Forensic Sciences University:
The Gujarat Forensic Sciences University is renowned as the world’s first and only University founded exclusively for forensic science and it related branches. Aspirants of computer forensics in India may want to choose from the following courses that they offer:
- M. Tech in Cyber Security and Incident Response
- MSc in Digital Forensics and Information Assurance
- Certificate Diploma in Cyber Crime Investigation (Only for Government Law Enforcement Agencies)
- Certificate Diploma in Cyber Security
- IBA/RBI Approved Certified Information Security Professional Course (Cyber Security)
2. Indian School of Ethical Hacking:
The Indian School of Ethical Hacking offers short-term certification courses mainly to engineering graduates and working professionals. As one of the coveted institutes offering computer forensics courses in India, they offer the following certifications:
- Network Penetration Testing Expert
- Certified Ethical Hacker Certification
- Professional Certification in Computer Forensics
3. IFS Forensic Science Education:
Following are the Cyber Forensics Courses/Certifications offered by IFS Forensic Science Education:
- PG Certification in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Security & Cyber Law
- Certification (Expert/Gold) in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Security & Cyber Law
- Short-Term Certification Course in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Security & Cyber Law
- Advanced Certification in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Security & Cyber Law
- Universal Certification in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Security & Cyber Law
- Professional Specialized Certification in Cyber Forensics, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Security & Cyber Law
4. SRM University:
SRM University is well recognized as an engineering college but not many are aware of its computer forensics courses. It offers the following Cyber Forensics Course:
- M.Tech in Information Security and Computer Forensics
5. IIIT Delhi (Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology):
IIIT Delhi’s specialized cell called, The Cybersecurity Education and Research Centre offers cyber security training and cyber forensics courses in India.
M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering with specialization in Information Security and Cyber Forensics
If you are not up for a full-time computer forensics courses in India, you may also consider pursuing ethical hacking certifications such as CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) or CHFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator), or cyber security certifications such as CCFP (Certified Cyber Forensics Professional), EnCE (EnCase Certified Examiner), Certified Forensic Security Responder (CFSR) and much more.
Institutions in India Offering Courses in Cyber Laws
Looking forward to gaining a specialization in Cyber Laws only? You may want to look at the following list of colleges offering specialization in Cyber Laws.
1. Symbiosis Law College, Pune
2. NALSAR University of Law
3. Asian School of Cyber Laws, Pune
4. Indian Institute of Information and Technology, Allahabad
5. Amity Law School, Delhi
6. Department of Law, University of Delhi
7. National Law School of India, Bangalore
Computer Forensics Jobs – The Indian Picture
Even though computer forensics is still in its infancy in our country, computer forensics careers in India are witnessing a sharp rise. Most companies these days are seeking cyber security and cyber forensics experts to prevent and monitor cyber frauds. Computer forensics professionals are in demand to support corporates in reinforcing their data and information security.
Some of the roles assigned in computer forensics jobs include Computer Forensics Investigator, Computer Forensics Analyst, Computer Forensics Technician, Computer Forensics Specialist, Digital Forensics Specialist, etc.
Computer forensics professionals are also in huge demand in the Central Forensic Science Laboratories located across India. Additionally, a number of lucrative computer forensics jobs are available in the numerous private forensic science laboratories that are mushrooming in India.
The Center for Advanced Research in Digital Forensics and Cyber Security
The Center for Cyber Security (Texial) seeks to conduct niche research in the fields of Cyber and Digital Forensics.
Texial houses a state-of-the-art Digital and Cyber Forensics Lab that is equipped with the latest digital forensics tools and technologies. It endeavors to use its dedicated research and development facility to provide training to aspiring Digital Forensics professionals. Texial also aims to assist Law Enforcement Agencies and other public and private organization in strengthening cyber security and keeping cybercrimes at bay.
Ethical Hacking Training in Bangalore
Texial is authorized by the EC-Council to provide ethical hacking training in Bangalore. It offers the much sought-after EC-Council accredited Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification for aspiring cyber security professionals.
This ethical hacking training program gives learners a hands-on experience in advanced hacking techniques and tools. Learners are then taught to leverage these techniques ethically break into network and systems, and assess its security vulnerabilities.
This shall provide you with an opportunity to work with the government or private organizations to assess their networks for loopholes, bugs, and vulnerabilities.Â
