The pervasiveness and power of computers make them difficult to avoid in everyday life and they are increasingly utilized in criminal activity. From fraud to violent crime, computers are often found to play a significant role as a tool for planning and conducting a crime, and thus may contain relevant evidence pertaining to an offence. Additionally, the prevalence of computers and mobile devices as indispensable tools in our everyday life makes them a target for criminals wishing to steal personal or corporate information, money, and more. These factors have necessitated specialists trained in the field of computer crime.
Computer forensics is the scientific analysis of computer communications and data on computer storage devices. Specialists in computer forensics rely on an essential combination of technical expertise, investigative skills, and legal knowledge. Some applications of digital forensics and cybersecurity are:
- Investigating and uncovering evidence of illegal activities conducted via computer. These computer crimes can include intellectual-property theft, credit card fraud, identity theft, computer system intrusion (hacking), pedophilia and terrorist activities.
- Investigating crimes by searching for evidence the accused may have stored on computers or data drives, although the crime itself may not have been committed via computer.
- Work for corporations to find and close computer system security holes. This is called legal or ethical hacking.
“When I came across the Digital Forensics program at BCIT, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue. BCIT has given me an excellent foundation.”
James Black, Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity graduate