An interactive, hands-on program introducing high school students to the world of cybercrime, cyber security and digital forensics will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the Marshall University Forensic Science Center.
The program, called “Explore Digital Forensics & Cyber Security,” is part of the Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence’s (AIDE) annual conference. The program is open to any high school students, and it is highly recommended that the students have strong interest in computers, solid work ethics, and the desire to learn. Only basic computer knowledge is required; those who apply will not be excluded by a lack of computer skills.
Students are encouraged to apply early as space is limited to 25 people. To apply, send an e-mail to John Sammons at john.sammons@marshall.edu indicating your interest and the following information:
- Your full name, contact e-mail and phone number, high school, current grade level, brief description of current computer skills and why you want to attend.
Sammons, an assistant professor at Marshall, is president of AIDE. He also is the coordinator of the Digital Forensics and Information Assurance degree program.
Among the things that students taking part in the program will learn are:
- What hackers are
- Crime scene search and evidence collection
- How cyber criminals operate
- How to solve crimes with digital evidence
- About the tools used by both cyber criminals and forensics experts
- Cyber warfare
- About careers in digital forensics and cyber security and more
The students will:
- Get a hands-on introduction to the software and hardware used by professionals
- Collect and document digital evidence
- Tour a working digital forensics laboratory
- Interact with faculty from Marshall University and working professionals
