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The Basics of Digital Forensics

  • 3rd Edition - June 1, 2027
  • Latest edition
  • Author: John Sammons
  • Language: English

The Basics of Digital Forensics, Third Edition provides a foundation for people new to the digital forensics field. This book offers guidance on how to conduct examinations by dis… Read more

Description

The Basics of Digital Forensics, Third Edition provides a foundation for people new to the digital forensics field. This book offers guidance on how to conduct examinations by discussing what digital forensics is, the methodologies used, key tactical concepts, and the tools needed to perform examinations. Details on digital forensics for computers, networks, cell phones, GPS, the cloud and the Internet are discussed. Also, learn how to collect evidence, document the scene, and how deleted data can be recovered. The new Third Edition of this book includes four all-new chapters, additional pedagogical features within each chapter, and an expansive appendix with useful information in an easy-to-use format. The book provides readers with real-world examples and all the key technologies used in digital forensics, as well as coverage of network intrusion response, how hard drives are organized, and electronic discovery. This valuable resource also covers how to incorporate quality assurance into an investigation, how to prioritize evidence items to examine (triage), case processing, and what goes into making an expert witness. New chapters in the Third Edition cover imaging and processing, digital forensic analysis, IoT forensics, as well as documentation and reporting.

Key features

  • Discusses the common artifacts to look for in a digital forensics examination, providing detailed insights into identifying and analyzing crucial data points that can aid in investigations
  • Offers practical guidance on selecting the right tools and methodologies, ensuring that investigators are well-equipped to handle diverse challenges in digital forensics and cybercrime investigations

Readership

Students in digital forensics degree programs, information security professionals, cybercrime and digital forensic investigators, cyber response and remediation teams, forensic analysts, software developers, and e-discovery researchers. The First Edition and Second Edition of the book have been used at graduate and undergraduate levels as the text for courses on Digital Forensics

Table of contents

1. Introduction and Foundations

2. Key Technical Concepts

3. Labs and Tools

4. Collecting Evidence

5 . Imaging and Processing

6. Windows System Artifacts

7. Digital Forensic Analysis

8. Anti-forensics

9. Legal

10. Internet and Email

11. Network Forensics and Incident Response

12. Mobile Device Forensics

13. IoT Forensics

14. Documentation and Reporting

15. Looking Ahead

Review quotes

Review of the previous edition:
"...this book is well named. It is an entry-level primer to digital forensics, and could be used as an introductory book in a beginning computer forensics course."—Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law, Vol 9, No 1

Product details

  • Edition: 3
  • Latest edition
  • Published: June 1, 2027
  • Language: English

About the author

John Sammons

Author

John Sammons is a distinguished scholar and educator in digital forensics, currently serving as a Professor at Marshall University and Associate Director of the Institute for Cyber Security. With a background as a Huntington Police officer, he has been recognized for his investigative work by the U.S. Department of Justice.

He is the author and co-author of several notable books, including the acclaimed "The Basics of Digital Forensics," which was nominated for Digital Forensics Book of the Year in 2013. John also contributed to the digital forensics chapter of Douglas Ubelaker’s "Forensic Science: Current Issues, Future Directions."

In addition to his academic roles, he is the Fusion Center Liaison Officer for the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center and founded the Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence, a non-profit focused on research and training in digital evidence. John holds multiple certifications and is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the FBI Infragard. Before joining Marshall, he co-founded Second Creek Technologies, a digital forensics firm. He also teaches advanced digital forensics and firearms to graduate students and provides training for legal and law enforcement professionals.
Affiliations and expertise
Associate Professor and Director of the Digital Forensics and Information Assurance program, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA