RE: Computer Forensics is a misnomer Was: How hackers cause damage... was Vulnerabilites in new laws

["David Gillett" <gillettdavid () fhda edu>]

> From: James Eppolito [mailto:JEppolito () AirLogix com] 
>
> This question may be overly simplistic but here goes; Craig 
> Wright wrote, "(please note computer forensics is a misnomer 
> and grammatically incorrect)"
> Why is that?

  I can't claim to *know* what Craig was thinking, but I recently
took a Computer Forensics course as part of my preparation for the
CISSP exam.

  A significant chunk of the class had signed up under the impression
that the class would be investigating various kinds of *computer*
incidents -- malware, rootkits, etc.(*)  But what we were actually
looking at was preserving and collecting evidence (of any sort of
misdeed) that happened to be located in a computer system.  That's
a somewhat different kettle of fish.

  So I suggested to the faculty (they asked for feedback since this
was the first time the course had been offered) that they change
the name to something like "Collecting and Handling Digital Evidence",
to avoid any confusion with Computer Incident Response and
Investigation.


(*) There was another contingent who enrolled in the class under its
cross-listing in the Administration of Justice curriculum, who came 
to be known by the technologists in the course as the "what's a thumb
drive?" crowd.

David Gillett, CISSP



---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE
The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management 
education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. 
Tailor your education to your own professional goals with degree 
customizations including Emergency Management, Business Continuity Planning, 
Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations. 

http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------