Digital Forensics

Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity

Want to investigate crimes? How about stopping 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 and cybersecurity 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 and cybersecurity 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

Here, you'll study all aspects of cybersecurity. Strictly speaking, forensics is purely investigative (reactive) and security is purely preventive (proactive). In the cyber realm, these have considerable overlap. At Bloomsburg, we integrate all aspects of cyber security and digital forensics. So, you'll be prepared for it all — a career in any area of cybersecurity. We've done it already. Now, it's your turn to join the climb to the top. Let's get started!

Center for Information Assurance Studies

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

Program Resources

 

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.

Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

 

The Husky Difference

Jeremy Dilliplane

Bug bounty hunting

As a 10-year-old playing video games Jeremy Dilliplane had his first experience with the darkness of cyberspace. Battling against online cheating and game-based cyberattacks fostered a passion for cybersecurity. That passion and now hobby — further sparked by a small devices class — led him to uncover a data exposure by a well-known networking company.

DoD Cyber Scholarship

New cyber talent

Four Bloomsburg University digital forensics majors now have their eyes set on working for the Department of Defense as a result of earning a DoD Cyber Scholarship for this school year. Each cyber scholar receives full tuition, fees, a book allowance, and a stipend for living expense in exchange for civilian service at a DoD Agency upon graduation.

Parker Bumbarger

FBI internship opens doors

Working for the FBI's Cyber Division sounds like the perfect plot for a Hollywood movie. For this Husky, it was reality. Parker Bumbarger scored a dream internship and worked alongside intelligence analysts and special agents in every section of the FBI, maintaining database systems, assisting in ongoing investigations and other classified projects.

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 and Cybersecurity Resources