SaTC-EDU: Improving computer forensic curricula through hands-on hardware and software training and practical experience processing evidence from active criminal cases

SaTC-EDU：通过实际的硬件和软件培训以及处理活跃刑事案件证据的实践经验来改进计算机取证课程

• 批准号: 2304753
• 负责人: Bryce Westlake
• 金额: $ 49.85万
• 依托单位: San Jose State University Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-08-01 至 2026-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2304753&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SaTC; EDU; Improving; computer; forensic

Society’s reliance on technology and digital spaces has led to a rapid growth in cyber-based criminal activities that threaten national security. This generated a critical need for developing educational practices that prepare the current and future workforce to investigate cyber threats and process digital evidence. Strategies to achieve effective balance of theoretical and practical education are yet to be fully determined. To address the need for effective and balanced educational practices, this project will introduce active-learning pedagogy into an existing computer forensics curriculum. Its effect will then be measured based on student success and development of industry-relevant skills. Measurement will be accomplished in three ways. First, through evaluating the appropriate balance, and ordering, of forensic, computer science, and criminal justice courses needed to develop a strong theoretical understanding. Second, through introducing classroom training with hardware and software currently used within the discipline, to develop strong practical skills for entry-level positions. Third, through providing hands-on internships that require processing of digital evidence from active criminal investigations to provide work experience and job training. As San Jose State University is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, a focus will be placed on how these curricular changes contribute to the diversification of the cybersecurity workforce. Computer forensic (CF) investigators require a unique education balancing forensics, computer science, and criminal justice. This includes not only a theoretical foundation, but also practical experience processing digital evidence. To meet these needs, education will incorporate training on the technologies and current best practices used within the discipline through hands-on experiences with the latest trends in sources (devices) of digital evidence. Existing learning environments will be modified in three different ways and evaluated to measure the impacts on student success and workplace preparedness, especially among underrepresented groups. First, by identifying how students’ navigational path (e.g., order of courses, pre-existing knowledge) within the interdisciplinary coursework impacts the successful completion of the program, and how modifications to these pathways can increase student success. Second, by introducing active-learning pedagogy into the classroom and training on hardware and software currently used by CF practitioners. Third, by developing a laboratory infrastructure for students to complete internships where they can conduct digital evidence investigations on active criminal cases. The effectiveness of these modifications will be measured through interviews with CF practitioners on the skill sets required for the discipline, surveys of student navigation and activities, surveys of laboratory intern experiences, and surveys of graduates' abilities to successfully transition into careers within the discipline. Results will be disseminated through online open-source educational materials, presentations to criminal justice agencies and higher education institutions, and peer-reviewed publications. Dissemination of results will aid the development of effective CF curriculum at other institutions. This project is supported by the Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program, which funds proposals that address cybersecurity and privacy, and in this case specifically cybersecurity education. The SaTC program aligns with the Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic Plan and the National Privacy Research Strategy to protect and preserve the growing social and economic benefits of cyber systems while ensuring security and privacy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

社会对技术和数字空间的依赖导致威胁国家安全的网络犯罪活动迅速增长，这迫切需要开发教育实践，为当前和未来的劳动力做好调查网络威胁和处理数字证据的准备。实现理论和实践教育的有效平衡尚未完全确定。为了满足有效和平衡的教育实践的需要，该项目将在现有的计算机取证课程中引入主动学习教学法，然后根据学生来衡量其效果。的成功与发展衡量将通过三种方式来完成：首先，通过评估法医学、计算机科学和刑事司法课程所需的适当平衡和顺序，以培养强大的理论理解；其次，通过引入硬件课堂培训。第三，通过提供需要处理积极刑事调查中的数字证据的实践实习，以提供工作经验和职业培训。既是一个为西班牙裔服务的机构，也是一个亚裔美国人太平洋岛民服务机构将重点关注这些课程变化如何促进网络安全劳动力的多元化，这不仅包括平衡法证学、计算机科学和刑事司法的独特教育。为了满足这些需求，教育将通过对现有数字证据来源（设备）最新趋势的实践经验，纳入学科内使用的技术和当前最佳实践的培训。学习环境将进行三项改造首先，通过确定学生在跨学科课程中的导航路径（例如课程顺序、预先存在的知识）如何影响学生成功完成课程，并进行评估，以衡量对学生成功和职场准备的影响，特别是在代表性不足的群体中。其次，通过将主动学习教学法引入课堂以及 CF 从业者目前使用的硬件和软件培训，以及如何修改这些途径可以提高学生的成功。第三，通过开发实验室基础设施，供学生完成实习。他们可以进行这些修改的有效性将通过对CF从业者就该学科所需的技能进行访谈、对学生导航和活动的调查、对实验室实习生经历的调查以及对毕业生能力的调查来衡量。研究结果将通过在线开源教育材料、向刑事司法机构和高等教育机构的演示以及同行评审的出版物进行传播，这将有助于其他机构开发有效的 CF 课程。 .该项目得到了Secure的支持值得信赖的网络空间 (SaTC) 计划，该计划资助解决网络安全和隐私问题的提案，在这种情况下，特别是网络安全教育，SaTC 计划与联邦网络安全研究与发展战略计划和国家隐私研究战略保持一致，以保护和维护不断增长的网络空间。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。