Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics

Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics is a self-paced online advanced-level course from Petronella Technology Group, Inc. in the Digital Forensics catalog. It costs $299 per learner and ends with a certificate of completion.

PPSB-accredited (PPSB-25-021) digital forensics course covering acquisition methods, analysis techniques, and legal standards. 3 CE credits.

⏲ 6.7 hours★ advanced➤ Digital Forensics

Pricing

From $299

Lifetime access. Certificate of completion. Quizzes and assessments.

Enroll Now

Your Instructor

Craig Petronella

CMMC-RP, CCNA, CWNE, DFE #604180

Founder of Petronella Technology Group (founded 2002, BBB A+ since 2003). Team is fully CMMC-RP certified. CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization #1449.

Course outline: 6 modules, 55 lessons

Fundamentals of Digital Evidence & Legal Frameworks

  • Introduction to Digital Evidence
  • Types & Sources of Digital Evidence
  • Legal Frameworks & Admissibility
  • Evidence Volatility & Anti-Forensics
  • Federal Rules of Evidence
  • Chain of Custody Documentation
  • Case Studies & Practical Examples
  • Ethics in Digital Forensics: Principles & Responsibilities
  • Ethical Challenges & Decision-Making Frameworks

Acquisition Types and Techniques

  • Evidence Acquisition: Physical vs. Logical Methods
  • Acquisition Planning & Hybrid Approaches
  • Physical vs. Logical Acquisition
  • Live vs. Dead Box Imaging
  • Memory Capture Techniques
  • Cloud & External Device Acquisition
  • Data Integrity & Write-Blocking
  • FTK Imager Tool Guide

Hashing and Documentation

  • Hashing Fundamentals
  • Hash Algorithms (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256)
  • Hashing During Imaging
  • Documentation Standards: Legal & Scientific Foundations
  • Documentation Standards: Operations & Quality Assurance
  • Practical Exercises: Hashing & Hash Sets
  • Assessment Materials & Applied Practice

Analysis & Triage

  • Introduction to Forensic Analysis: Methodologies
  • Analytical Approaches: Timeline & Hypothesis Testing
  • File System Fundamentals & Components
  • File System Operations & Forensic Traces
  • File System Types: NTFS, ext4, APFS & FAT
  • Understanding File Deletion Processes
  • File Carving & Recovery Techniques
  • Advanced Recovery & Anti-Forensics Challenges
  • Keyword Search Fundamentals & Algorithms
  • Search Optimization & Regular Expressions
  • Hash Comparison & Combined Search Strategies
  • Metadata Analysis: Fundamentals & Concepts
  • Metadata Sources: File Systems & Documents
  • Metadata Analysis: Images, Media & Applications
  • Metadata Extraction Tools & Techniques
  • Metadata Analysis: Case Studies & Best Practices
  • Forensic Triage: Autopsy Tool Walkthrough
  • Autopsy: Case Setup & Data Sources
  • Autopsy: Analysis Modules & Reporting
  • Additional Forensic Tools & Workflows

Reporting & Testimony

  • Report Writing: Purpose & Fundamental Principles
  • Report Structure: Executive Summary & Case Information
  • Report Writing: Methodology & Findings Documentation
  • Report Writing: Conclusions & Quality Assurance
  • Report Templates & Professional Standards
  • Forensic Deliverables for Different Audiences
  • Audience Communication & Visual Presentation
  • Report Templates: Criminal & Civil Investigations
  • Report Templates: Corporate & Incident Response
  • Assessment Materials & Report Writing Practice

Capstone Lab: USB Drive Theft Investigation

  • USB Drive Theft Investigation

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics?

You will learn digital forensic acquisition methods and best practices, analysis techniques that follow US legal standards, and proper evidence handling and documentation. The course includes practical exercises built around real-world scenarios.

Who is Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics for?

This is an advanced Digital Forensics course for security and investigative professionals who need a structured foundation in evidence acquisition and analysis. It is accredited by the NC Private Protective Services Board (PPSB-25-021), so it suits practitioners who require continuing education.

How long is Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics and what level is it?

The course is about 6.7 hours of self-paced online content and is set at the advanced level. Modules run from digital evidence fundamentals and legal frameworks through to reporting, testimony, and a capstone lab.

Is Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics free or paid?

This is a paid course priced at $299. It is covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee: request a refund within 30 days of purchase if you have completed less than 25% of the course, and we refund the full price. It is accredited by the NC Private Protective Services Board under PPSB-25-021 and awards 3 CE credits upon completion, with a completion certificate issued when you finish.

What does the capstone in Data Acquisition & Digital Forensics involve?

The course ends with a Capstone Lab built around a USB drive theft investigation, applying acquisition, hashing, documentation, analysis, and triage skills from the earlier modules. You earn a completion certificate when you finish.

Is this course accredited and does it carry CE credits?

Yes. The course is accredited by the NC Private Protective Services Board under PPSB-25-021 and awards 3 CE credits upon completion. A completion certificate is issued when you finish the course.

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