COD Offers Spring Courses Leading to Computer Forensic ACE Certification

College of DuPage will offer two computer forensic courses this spring that will prepare students to sit for the AccessData Certification Exam.

Computer Forensics I, which will be held during the first eight-week session starting January 15, and Computer Forensics II, held during the second eight-week session starting March 12, will focus on the Forensic Took Kit 5.0, evidence acquisition, forensic analysis, data decryption, and how to apply chain of custody rules to evidence. Once completed, students can earn the ACE credential awarded by the AccessData group, which pioneered digital investigations and litigation support more than 20 years ago.

“Once certified, students can work for such organizations as criminal justice departments, law firms and the court system extracting information from a computer drive, such as deleted emails or files, that can be used as evidence in an investigation,” said Sam Shamsuddin, assistant professor of Computer and Internetworking Technologies, who will teach both courses.

COD will collaborate with Lewis University to train on its computer system. Shamsuddin said only 16 students will be allowed into each class, which will maximize the hands-on training and interaction between himself and the class.

“Computer forensics is a popular field right now,” he said. “College of DuPage also offers a more rigorous academic certificate program that provides an expanded range of skills. Taking these two courses is a great way for someone to get into the field and determine if they want to go even further.”

Both courses will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information, contact Shamsuddin at shamsudd@cod.edu or (630) 942-2940 or Professor Joanne Wagner at wagnerjo@cod.edu or (630) 942-2692.