The Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics will engage in a continuous curriculum planning to maintain currency in in-service training in Digital Forensics
Objective
Maintaining Quality Curriculum
The Center of Excellence in Digital Forensics needs to maintain current, and high quality curriculum to meet the needs of its client base, which includes local and state law enforcement, federal agencies and other legal professional bodies.
KPI
Curriculum Oversight Committee
The center has established a curriculum oversight committee to engage in an ongoing curriculum review process. The committee initially consists of Mr. Charles Andrews (Industry Investigative Best Practices in Management), Dr. Peter Cooper (protocol and procedure), Scott Bennett (technical and investigative best practices), and Andrew Garner (technical and expert testimony) The curriculum review is performed on a consensus view basis with additional external ad hoc SME members brought in as necessary. The forming of this committee is an indication of the CEDF commitment to curriculum improvement and continued relevance.
Result
Committee Engagement
The committee members have been actively engaged over the last year in prviding feedback on existing curriculum and trainings which have resulted in minor curricular changes and the delivery of multiple professional development offerings to highschool CJ educators, city and county law enforcement officers and other interested students.
KPI
Course Maintenance And Creation
This objective will be met if and when Center staff and resources are used to assist the Computer Science Department in the creation of new courses and the review and updating of the existing digital forensics adademic and professional development courses.
Result
ABET Accreditation As Validation
With the Support of the CEDF, the Computer Science Department recieved a renewed accreditation from ABET. This result is an external validation of the work the CEDF does in concert with the the CS department.
Action
Move The CEDF To A University Wide Resource Under ORSP
To better serve the mission of the CEDF and the University community as a whole, the CEDF will seek to move out of the departmental level to come under the umbrella of ORSP. Being an independent university-level department will provide more internal opportunities to contribute and collaborate, and more external access to networks, funding and resources.
Objective
Assist In Maintenance And Creation Of Academic DF Curricula To Assist CS Department In Ongoing Efforts
To assist the Computer Science Department faculty in maintaining the existing courses and creating new courses as needed.
KPI
Course Maintenance And Creation
This objective will be met if and when Center staff and resources are used to assist the Computer Science Department in the creation of new courses and the review and updating of the existing digital forensics adademic and professional development courses.
Result
ABET Accreditation As Validation
With the Support of the CEDF, the Computer Science Department recieved a renewed accreditation from ABET. This result is an external validation of the work the CEDF does in concert with the the CS department.
Goal
Public Relations
The center serves police departments and federal agencies in the state of Texas. The center faculty and staff will maintain consistent and professional relations with its clientele base.
Objective
Public Relations
To maintain professional and consistent contact with the center’s clientele (police department and federal agencies in the state of Texas).
KPI
Client Responses
The Center's Director will select a representative sample of departments and agencies from the clientele base and contact directors from those departments and agencies on at least an annual basis.
Result
Expanding Network
The ongoing efforts to expand the network and influence of the CEDF and SHSU have resulted in an ever expanding array of professional, governmental, and academic relationships reulting in emplyment and promotion for students, internships, outside speakers coming to campus, revenue funding, and potential for other types of ongoing funding. The response from industry has been very positive, with the most positive new relationship being Sierra Nevada Corp., which has engaged the CEDF to assist in the testing and validation of new cyber security technologies.
Action
Expansion And Separation
In order to expand these efforts and grow the CEDF network to its maximum potential, it is necessary to separate the CEDF from the CS Department to show institutional support of the CEDF which will in turn show support for the up coming Digital and Cyber Forensics Technology doctoral program. It is the intention of the CS Chair and the CEDF Director to take action to accomplish this separation and establish the CEDF as an independent department in the 2015-2016 cycle.
Goal
Student Satisfaction
The center exists to provide training services to law enforcement and other legal groups. It is central to the mission of the Center that the trainees are satisfied with the quality of the services they receive.
Objective
Student Evaluation
The Center needs to maintain high levels of student satisfaction with the center’s services
Indicator
Student Satisfaction Survey
Each student will complete an anonymous exit survey upon completion of the program
Criterion
Student Evaluation
Student satisfaction will be considered high if the students’ answers average four or better on a five point scale.
Action
Digital Satisfaction Surveys
All presentation and trainings offered by or affiliated with the CEDF will provide the audience/class with a link to a digital satisfaction survey to gauge the effectiveness of future public-facing CEDF programs, trainings, and presentations.
Goal
Technical Competency
THe curriculum is structured in the form of continuing professional education and must result in the students developing and attaining technical competence.
Objective
Technical Competency
To develop students’ technical skills in the areas of legal and organizational issues, procedure and protocol and tan understanding of the underlying concepts associated with the forensics of digital storage and communications devices.
Indicator
Student Learning Assessment
Students are required to complete a test at the end of each training session and the tests are developed by a group of faculty with expertise in the appropriate areas and professionals in the field of digital forensics. A rubric for evaluating students’ performances was developed by the faculty and professionals who developed the test. At the end of each training session a committee of faculty with expertise in the relevant areas will randomly select 10 tests and evaluate the test using the rubric. Faculty will score the tests on a scale of 1 – 5
Criterion
Student Learning Success Criterion
Students’ technical skills will be considered well developed if the committee members score the tests at four or better.