Complete OPSC-501
Upcoming Start Dates
Summer term 2 begins. Apply by June 19.
Fall term 1 begins. Apply by Aug. 14
Fall term 2 begins. Apply by Oct. 9
Explore Digital Forensics & Incident Response
Gain advanced education in a growing field with a digital forensics and incident response certificate. The specialized curriculum for this one-of-a-kind graduate certificate in incident response and digital forensics program teaches students how to conduct threat intelligence including classify risks, identify and categorize vulnerabilities such as a breach, and recommend mitigation and remediation strategies that are effective in criminal and civil digital investigations utilizing digital evidence in public and private organizations, as well as in law enforcement.
Gain competitive in-demand skills - like the ability to conduct forensic analysis of operating systems, malware detection, create incident reports, and preserve log files from network devices - that will give you a mastery of technical and communication experience to thrive as a digital forensics and incident response professional in the larger information security landscape.
This graduate digital forensics and incident response certificate can be taken as a standalone credential, or embedded in Champlain’s novel online master’s in information technology, should you wish to continue your education and earn a master’s degree.
A Nationally Recognized Leader in Digital Forensics
Champlain is a nationally recognized leader in cybersecurity and digital forensics education and home of the Senator Patrick Leahy Center for Digital Investigation & Cybersecurity. With a robust faculty of expert-practitioner instructors who have significant experience working for top organizations and are sought-after thought leaders in the field, we specialize in building agile cybersecurity and digital forensics programs that the meet mission-critical needs of today's businesses, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal governments.
Champlain has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the U.S. National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security since 2006, and Champlain cybersecurity programs have been named best in the nation by SC Magazine. Champlain is also designated as a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) Air Force Office of Special Investigations - the fifth college in the nation to receive this distinction.
Build Your Career Future
Designed for those looking to take their digital forensics education to the next level, this online graduate digital forensics and incident response certificate was built with employer needs and industry trends in mind. Whether you're working toward a related master's degree, are looking for an additional credential in the field of digital forensics, or are in a related field and want to gain proficiency in digital forensics and incident response, a graduate certificate is a great way to highlight these in-demand digital forensic analysis skills, as well as gain knowledge that can be applied to your workplace from day one.
Program Curriculum
Champlain's online digital forensics & incident response courses encompass the top skills needed by today's IT professionals.
Students must demonstrate previous coursework and/or experience in information technology (IT). Students who do not display sufficient IT knowledge and skills will need to complete CMIT-500 before starting the program.
Understanding risk and identifying the threats organizations face are essential skills for today's information security professionals. In this course that introduces students to the graduate degree program, students learn to compute impact scores for vulnerabilities, classify data, and use Champlain College Online's virtual environment to explore how to use IOCs (Indicators of Compromise).
Students will be using FTK Imager, Magnet Encrypted Disk Detector, OS Forensics Volatility Workbench, Kali Linux, Reg Ripper, Network Miner, and Wireshark to develop a foundation framework for the practice of Digital investigations, including technical and managerial issues.
Hands-on labs and assignments using Kali Linux, Metasploitable, Nessus and Armitage build on previously acquired knowledge of threat and vulnerability classification in this course that allows students to use the knowledge of a vulnerability to perform threat analysis. Vulnerability and patch management processes are also addressed.
Prerequisites
Students will use tools such as The Sleuth Kit and Volatility to conduct forensic analysis of PC & server operating systems and software running on those systems, while gaining a knowledge set of forensic relevant information about operating systems, including those used in mobile devices. Finally, students will look at the challenges of virtualization, including those that come with the growth of Cloud systems.
Prerequisites
Complete DFS-501
In this class, students use tools like nfdump, Snort and Wireshark for network forensic analysis in the context of the role of an incident response team.
Prerequisites
DFS-520
Additional Program Details
Previous coursework and/or experience in Information Technology (IT) is required for admission to the certificate. Students who are unable to demonstrate prior acquisition of knowledge and skills related to IT will be required to complete CMIT-500 before beginning the required certificate courses.
- Develop classifications of systems and information to determine priorities based on importance or sensitivity
- Compare public- and private- sector and criminal and civil digital investigations and processes for preparing digital evidence, within a moral and ethical framework that weighs privacy issues against the need for digital investigations
- Categorize identified vulnerabilities based on severity, impact, and class to prioritize remediation, determine approaches to exploit identified vulnerabilities, and recommend mitigation or remediation strategies for identified vulnerabilities
- Develop and evaluate methods, and conduct forensic analysis, of PC and server operating systems and software, and analyze and report user activity
- Preserve and analyze log files from a range of network devices, conduct analysis of captured network traffic, and investigate and report on a computer incident
Champlain College Online's computer science faculty, led by Department Chair Richard Pickering, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s IT systems professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the world of information technology, and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Tuition & Costs
Graduate Tuition Fall '23 - Summer '25
$595
per credit
$450
PER CREDIT FOR ALUMNI, associate degree graduates, Servicemembers, Veterans**, and family members of veterans and servicemembers
$150
One-time graduation fee
*Based on a 3-credit course; cost will vary if course is a different number of credits
See the graduate cost of attendance and fees here
** Veteran rate effective Spring 2025, not retroactive
Affordability and Paying For Your Education
We provide a number of options to make your online education affordable, including preferred tuition for alumni, associate degree graduates, community college graduates, and military.
Accomplish More with a Graduate Certificate in Digital Forensics and Incident Response
The global digital forensics industry is poised for significant growth as a result of increasing cybersecurity threats; projections estimate the market to be worth over $6.65 billion by 2025 - rising at a rate of nearly 31% between 2019 and 2029. As a result of this high demand for qualified digital forensics professionals, the median salary for this career path is $103,590.* A specialized certificate can help you build new skills, differentiate your resume, and demonstrate your value as an employee in your current organization.
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020
TOP REASONS TO EARN A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
- Climb the career ladder
- Build new skills
- Earn a recognized credential
- Differentiate your resume
- Test a new field
- Pursue a passion
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Ranked among the best by Tech Guide for game design and computer science
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
Meet the Program Director
Mauriella DiTommaso, MS, MBA
Program Director, Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations
Oversees
- Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations
- Digital Forensic Science
About
Mauriella DiTommaso is currently serving as the Chief Information Security Officer for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. With over two decades of experience, she excels in leading cybersecurity and digital forensics teams, developing comprehensive policies, and managing high-profile security incidents. Her role extends to Champlain College Online as a program director, adjunct faculty member and course developer.
Her diverse background includes positions such as Senior Manager for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensic Investigations Program Manager for the Washington State Economic Services Administration and as a Digital Forensic and Media Exploitation Specialist and Cryptologic Linguist with the U.S. Department of Defense. She holds a Master of Science in Digital Forensic Science from Champlain College, and an MBA from Delaware Valley University. Additionally, she is a GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner.
Mauriella enjoys trail and road running, spending time outdoors with her family, and volunteering in her community through various outlets. As a military veteran and spouse of an active-duty service member, Mauriella also enjoys supporting military families, their service members, and veterans through various opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are a few frequently asked questions about our digital forensic and incident response graduate certificate.
The comprehensive curriculum focuses on threat intelligence, vulnerability identification, and mitigation strategies for digital investigations.
Students will develop skills in forensic analysis of operating systems, malware detection, and log file preservation.
Graduates can work as digital forensics and incident response professionals in both the public and private sectors. Job roles include digital investigators, cybersecurity analysts, and threat intelligence specialists. Explore our career resources page to see how Champlain supports students from day one.
Yes, active-duty military personnel can take advantage of preferred pricing for this graduate certificate program.
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