Digital Forensics: Fundamentals of Cyber Investigation — PickAClass
★ 4.2 (4) ⏱ 3h 2m 📚 28 lessons 🎧 Audio version

Digital Forensics: Fundamentals of Cyber Investigation

Learn how to investigate security breaches, analyze network traffic, and locate digital evidence through step-by-step written guides and practical scenarios.

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About this course

Every security incident leaves a trail of digital breadcrumbs, but finding and interpreting them requires a structured, scientific approach. This course introduces you to the essential techniques of digital forensics, helping you understand how cyber investigators uncover the truth behind unauthorized access and system compromises. You will transition from having a basic understanding of IT security to being able to systematically analyze digital evidence. Through clear written explanations and practical analytical exercises, you will learn how to preserve evidence, investigate network traffic, and analyze system artifacts without altering critical data. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental principles of digital forensics, chain of custody, and legal admissibility. - Analyze network packets and logs to trace malicious activity and map out security incidents. - Examine system memory and modern operating system artifacts to identify active malware and unauthorized processes. - Practice identifying digital evidence in local storage, registries, and file systems using standard methodologies. - Apply incident response workflows to contain threats and document findings systematically. The journey begins with core terminology, legal standards, and forensic methodologies before moving into practical analysis of network traffic, file systems, and system memory. This course is designed for absolute beginners, aspiring cybersecurity professionals, and IT administrators looking to build a strong foundation in digital investigations. No prior forensics experience is required. Start your journey into the world of cyber investigation and learn to uncover critical digital evidence today.

Course contents

6 modules · 28 lessons · 3h 2m

1 The Forensic Mindset & Legal Standards
Establish the legal and scientific foundation for digital investigations.
5 lessons · 32 min
  1. The Science of Digital Forensics
    Digital forensics is a structured, scientific approach to uncovering the truth behind security incidents.
    6 min
  2. The Investigator’s Dictionary
    Mastering core terminology is essential for professional communication and reporting.
    6 min
  3. The Chain of Custody
    Maintaining a rigorous log of evidence handling ensures integrity from the crime scene to the courtroom.
    7 min
  4. Legal Admissibility & Ethics
    Evidence is only useful if it meets legal standards and is collected ethically.
    6 min
  5. The Golden Rule: Evidence Preservation
    Learn to use write-blockers and imaging tools to analyze data without altering the original source.
    7 min
2 Incident Response Workflow
Learn how to manage an active threat and document the process.
4 lessons · 25 min
  1. The IR Lifecycle
    Understand the standard phases of incident response from preparation to lessons learned.
    6 min
  2. Identification and Triage
    Quickly determine the scope and severity of a security breach.
    6 min
  3. Containment Strategies
    Apply workflows to isolate infected systems and prevent further damage.
    6 min
  4. Systematic Documentation
    Every action taken during an investigation must be recorded to withstand scrutiny.
    7 min
3 Network Forensics & Log Analysis
Trace attacker movement through network traffic and system logs.
5 lessons · 33 min
  1. The Network Trail
    Identify where network evidence is stored and how to collect it.
    6 min
  2. Analyzing Network Packets (PCAP)
    Use packet analysis tools to see exactly what data was sent over the wire.
    7 min
  3. Interpreting System Logs
    Extract meaningful clues from OS and application logs to reconstruct events.
    7 min
  4. Tracing Malicious Activity
    Follow the breadcrumbs left by an attacker across the network infrastructure.
    7 min
  5. Mapping the Incident
    Create a visual map of the security incident to understand the attack flow.
    6 min
4 File System & Artifact Analysis
Locate and interpret evidence stored on local disks and within the OS.
5 lessons · 32 min
  1. File System Methodologies
    Understand how NTFS and FAT store data and how to navigate them forensically.
    6 min
  2. Finding Local Storage Evidence
    Locate hidden files, temporary data, and deleted items on physical storage.
    6 min
  3. Windows Registry Fundamentals
    The Registry is a goldmine for configuration changes and user activity traces.
    7 min
  4. Deep Dive into Registry Keys
    Identify specific keys that reveal connected devices and recent file access.
    7 min
  5. Artifacts of Execution
    Use Prefetch and Shimcache to prove that a specific program was run on the system.
    6 min
5 Memory Forensics
Analyze volatile data to find active threats and malware.
5 lessons · 33 min
  1. The Power of Volatile Memory
    Why RAM contains evidence that you will never find on a hard drive.
    6 min
  2. Capturing System Memory
    Tools and techniques for safely dumping RAM without crashing the system.
    6 min
  3. Spotting Unauthorized Processes
    Identify malicious processes hiding in plain sight within system memory.
    7 min
  4. Detecting Malware Persistence
    Analyze how malware ensures it restarts after a system reboot.
    7 min
  5. Memory Artifact Extraction
    Recover passwords, network connections, and chat logs directly from RAM.
    7 min
6 Synthesis & Final Reporting
Combine all evidence into a coherent investigation report.
4 lessons · 27 min
  1. Building a Forensic Timeline
    Correlate network, disk, and memory data into a single chronological sequence.
    7 min
  2. Correlating Evidence
    Link disparate pieces of data to prove the attacker's intent and identity.
    7 min
  3. Professional Reporting
    Draft a final report that is clear for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
    7 min
  4. Reviewing Forensic Principles
    A final look at the core principles that ensure your investigation is valid.
    6 min
Final project

The 'Shadow Breach' Investigation Case

You are provided with a small dataset including a network capture (PCAP), a disk image fragment, and a memory dump from a compromised workstation. Your task is to reconstruct the attack timeline.

What you'll get

  • 📜 Certificate of completion
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  • 💬 Personal AI tutor
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  • 🎧 Audio version included
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  • ♾️ Lifetime access
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  • 📱 Phone or computer
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  • 💸 14-day refund
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  • ⚡ Short & focused
    3h 2m of practical content

Certificate of completion

Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.

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Certificate of Mastery
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Name Surname
has successfully demonstrated mastery of
Digital Forensics: Fundamentals of Cyber Investigation
Skills demonstrated
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Foundational
1.2 hrs
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Proficient
1.4 hrs
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Digital Forensics: Fundamentals of Cyber Investigation
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Performance detail
Coursework summary
Lessons completed 14 / 14
Practice questions 26 / 28
Assignments submitted 4 (avg 4.5 / 5)
Capstone project Reviewed — 4.6 / 5
Total practice 6.2 hrs
Performance benchmark
Cohort rank Top 12% of 1,625
Time to completion 11 days (median: 22)
Mastery score 91 / 100
Practice-question score 94%
Skill verification Verified Skill Path
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Issued under the academic standards of PickAClass. Skill levels reflect assessed performance against the course's competency rubric. This is an original credential of this platform.

Reviews (4)

Riley Roy CA
★ 4 · October 31, 2026

This course delivered exactly what I needed. The explanations were clear and concise. Big thumbs up!

Grace Davis NZ Verified learner
★ 4 · August 30, 2026

This course exceeded my expectations. The structure was perfect, building knowledge step-by-step. Really valuable content.

هشام طارق EG
★ 4 · August 15, 2026

Pretty good foundation. The explanations were generally clear, and the structure made sense. I'd say it's a worthwhile course.

Nana Oppong GH Verified learner
★ 5 · June 16, 2026

Thoroughly enjoyed this course. The way the information was presented was excellent, and the practical applications were highlighted effectively. Great job!

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