Angela and David Irwin
Both Graduates with Distinction, Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Security and Forensics
Both are currently doing PhDs in Forensics at University of South Australia in Adelaide
Angela and I arrived in New Zealand in October 2007 from Scotland and received permanent residency in January 2008. After several attempts at entering the job market without success, we decided to embark on post graduate study. We believed this would better equip us for dealing with New Zealand employers.
After searching many post graduate courses and universities we applied successfully for the PG Diploma in Computer Security and Forensics at the University of Canterbury commencing in February 2008.
There were several facets of the modules that made up the course that made it very attractive to us. Modules varied between examination and assignment components to modules which required extensive software development, especially in the field of computer forensics. This was new territory for both of us and extremely challenging.
This course moved at a very fast pace compared to UK post graduate education. There was no time to relax and settle in to the course, I remember our first lecture in one module and at that time being asked by the lecturer to choose our assignment topics from a list. I remember thinking 'Day 1 - and we're choosing assignments, I will really need to get organised from the start'. From February through to October the tempo never let up, the course was continually challenging technically with several laboratory assignments.
Between us, Angela and I have a:
Bachelor of Science, BSc in Network Computing
Master of Science, MSc Management Information Systems
Bachelor of Engineering Honours, BEng Hons in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Master of Science, MSc in Circuit Design & Manufacture
Master of Science, MSC in .NET Distributed Systems
yet this course proved to be the toughest course we had ever undertaken.
How could this be considered a testimonial to a course if it sounds so difficult and frightening?
The rewards of completing the course are easily determined by where we are now.
In the several interviews that occurred after finishing the course, I discovered that few computer forensics courses actually taught students how to develop their own forensics software.
From simple tools for performing hard disk analysis to constructing rootkits such as key loggers and screen capture software. My main project involved mobile phone forensics, copying personal information from a mobile phone as well as images from the storage device card to a remote computer.
Due to the skills and confidence gained from this course we perused further research in computer forensics. Angela was awarded a contract as a part-time researcher at the University of South Australia (UniSA) in conjunction with The Department of Immigration and Citizenship. She has also started her PhD with a scholarship from UniSA entitled Investigating Money Laundering in Virtual Environments.
I have also won two scholarships, one from UniSA and one from the Australian Federal Police to develop forensic software for the purpose of Electronic Extraction of Evidence from the VoIP.
Neither of us could have achieved this with just our qualifications prior to starting the PG Diploma at the University of Canterbury.
If you are lazy, lack motivation, disorganised and just like to turn up at class and hope for an average pass, this course is not for you. You would quit half-way through semester 1. If you are thinking about a career in forensics or computer security, and want to develop real-world skills that can be applied in employment or research then this is for you.
The small class-size for post graduates allows for student cohesion and discussion groups as well as excellent post graduate facilities. However, there was enough time to fit in a trip to Sydney between semesters and the occasional day trip to the beach.