Digital Forensics

Digital Forensics

Want to investigate crimes, stop cyber criminals?

Like computers? Solving puzzles?

With the increase use of computers to commit crimes and growing demand for computer-based data in civil proceedings, a need has rapidly developed for forensic experts to extract useful information from computer evidence.

Bloomsburg University offers the only digital forensics bachelor's degree in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is Pennsylvania's Center for Digital Forensics. Bloomsburg graduates are working in law enforcement, homeland security agencies, law firms and private companies.

At BU, digital forensics majors will:

  • Examine computers and smart phones
  • Recover deleted pictures, documents and internet activity
  • Explore hidden areas on hard disks
  • Trace network activity to find weaknesses and compromises 
  • ​Test the security of computer systems and networks
  • Determine system and network vulnerabilities
  • Discover ways to protect systems and data from hackers
  • Respond to cyber breaches

Digital Forensics

Program Director
John Riley | jriley@bloomu.edu
Ben Franklin Hall 205
570-389-4500

Digital Forensics Program

Center of Academic Excellence

Bloomsburg University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense Education with a focus in the area of digital forensics through academic year 2021. The CAE designation, jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, recognizes that Bloomsburg’s digital forensics program has met stringent criteria in regard to its digital forensics curriculum, faculty and research, as well as demonstrated an institution-wide commitment to information assurance practices and cyber defense education. For details on the courses required, please see the Center of Academic Excellence.

Students attending CAE designated schools become eligible to apply for related scholarships and grants through the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.

 

  Logo National Security Agency      Logo Department of Homeland Security  

 

SAE CyberAuto Challenge

SAE challenge more than just competition

It wasn’t just the competition that made this summer’s SAE CyberAuto Challenge, which included a 24-hour hacking contest, so memorable for a pair of Bloomsburg University digital forensics majors. They came away with a great learning experience and job leads by networking directly with professionals from the cybersecurity and automotive industry.

“The competition is comprised of three-and-a-half days of classes,” said David Lucas, who was joined by Donald Tennant at the five-day SAE challenge in Michigan. “We’d start at 8 a.m. and finish around 9 to 10 p.m. each day. These were intense classes on different types of ways we can hack a vehicle.”

Student Success Highlights

Student Highlight Stories

Out-of-State Licensure

Some U.S. states and territories may require a private investigator license to perform certain digital forensic examiner tasks. Bloomsburg University cannot confirm whether the BU digital forensics program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure as a private investigator in any jurisdiction at this time. We encourage you to contact your state Attorney General to seek guidance in determining whether there is a license requirement for digital examiners, and if so, to what degree the BU digital forensics program helps meet the requirements for PI licensure in the state where you intend to seek employment.

Digital Forensics Resources