Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

The Credential that Sets the Global Benchmark for Job Ready Forensic Skills with Latest Advanced Strategies.

Stand Out in Your DFIR & Digital Forensics Career With C|HFI

What is the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Program?

EC-Council’s CHFI program prepares cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills to perform effective digital forensics investigations and bring their organization into a state of forensic readiness. This includes establishing the forensics process, lab and evidence handling procedures, as well as the investigation procedures required to validate/triage incidents and point the incident response teams in the right direction. Forensic readiness is crucial as it can differentiate between a minor incident and a major cyber-attack that brings a company to its knees.

This intense hands-on digital forensics program immerses students in over 68 forensic labs, enabling them to work on crafted evidence files and utilize the tools employed by the world’s top digital forensics professionals. Students will go beyond traditional hardware and memory forensics and learn current topics such as cloud forensics, mobile and IoT, investigating web application attacks, and malware forensics. C/HFI presents a methodological approach to computer forensics, including searching and seizing, chain-of-custody, acquisition, preservation, analysis, and reporting of digital evidence.

Students learn how to acquire and manage evidence through various operating environments, as well as the chain of custody and legal procedures required to preserve evidence and ensure it is admissible in court. This knowledge will help them prosecute cybercriminals and limit liability for target organizations.

The program provides credible professional knowledge with a globally recognized certification required for a successful digital forensics and DFIR careers, thus increasing your employability.

WHAT SKILL YOU’LL LEARN

Computer forensics fundamentals, different types of cybercrimes and their investigation procedures, along with regulations and standards that influence computer forensics investigation

  • Various phases involved in the computer forensics investigation process
  • Different types of disk drives and their characteristics, booting process and file systems in Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems, file system examination tools, RAID and NAS/SAN storage systems, various encoding standards, and file format analysis
  • Data acquisition fundamentals and methodology, eDiscovery, and how to prepare image files for forensics examination
  • Various anti-forensics techniques used by attackers, different ways to detect them and related tools, and countermeasures
  • Volatile and non-volatile data acquisition in Windows-based operating systems, Windows memory and registry analysis, electron application analysis, Web browser forensics, and examination of Windows files, ShellBags, LNK files, and Jump Lists, and Windows event logs
  • Volatile and non-volatile data acquisition and memory forensics in Linux and Mac operating systems
  • Network forensics fundamentals, event correlation concepts, Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) and ways to identify them from network logs, techniques and tools related to network traffic investigation, incident detection and examination, and wireless attack detection and investigation
  • Malware forensics concepts, static and dynamic malware analysis, system and network behavior analysis, and ransomware analysis
  • Web application forensics and challenges, web application threats and attacks, web application logs (IIS logs, Apache web server logs, etc.), and how to detect and investigate various web application attacks
  • Tor browser working methodology and steps involved in the Tor browser forensics process
  • Cloud computing concepts, cloud forensics, and challenges, fundamentals of AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud and their investigation processes
  • Components in email communication, steps involved in email crime investigation, and social media forensics
  • Architectural layers and boot processes of Android and iOS devices, mobile forensics process, various cellular networks, SIM file system, and logical and physical acquisition of Android and iOS devices
  • Different types of loT threats, security problems, vulnerabilities and attack surfaces areas, and loT forensics processes and challenges

Key Features and Critical Components of the CHFI Program

Master a methodological forensics framework approach for performing digital

forensics investigation:

  1. Documenting the Crime Scene
  2. Search and Seizure
  3. Evidence Preservation
  4. Data Acquisition
  5. Data Examination
  6. Reporting

15 modules covering core domains of digital forensics

2100+ pages of the comprehensive student manual

1550+ pages of lab manual covering detailed lab scenarios and instructions

600+ digital forensics tools

100% compliance with NICE Special Publication 800-181 cybersecurity workforce framework

70+ GB of crafted evidence files for investigation purposes

68 hands-on labs

40% of training time is dedicated to labs

Approved by the US Department of Defense (DoD) under Directive 8570/8140

Accredited under ISO/IEC 17024 standards.

Covers relevant knowledge bases and skills to meet regulatory compliance standards such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, SOX, HIPPA, etc.

Modules

Module 01: Computer Forensics in Today's World
  • Fundamentals of Computer Forensics
  • Cybercrimes and their Investigation Procedures
  • Digital Evidence and eDiscovery
  • Forensic Readiness
  • Role of Various Processes and Technologies in Computer Forensics
  • Roles and Responsibilities of a Forensic Investigator
  • Challenges Faced in Investigating Cybercrimes
  • Standards and Best Practices Related to Computer Forensics
  • Laws and Legal Compliance in Computer Forensics

Key topics covered:

Scope of Computer Forensics, Types of Cybercrimes, Cyber Attribution, Cybercrime Investigation, Types and Role of Digital Evidence, Sources of Potential Evidence, Federal Rules of Evidence (United States), Forensic Readiness and Business Continuity, Incident Response Process Flow, Role of Artificial Intelligence in Computer Forensics, Forensics Automation and Orchestration, Roles and Responsibilities of a Forensics Investigator, Code of Ethics, Challenges Cybercrimes Pose to Investigators, ISO Standards, and Computer Forensics and Legal Compliance

Module 02: Computer Forensics Investigation Process
  • Forensic Investigation Process and its Importance
  • First Response
  • Pre-Investigation Phase
  • Investigation Phase
  • Post-Investigation Phase

Labs:

Create a hard disk image file for forensics investigation and recover the data.

Key topics covered:

Phases Involved in the Computer Forensics Investigation Process, First Response, Roles of First Responder, First Response: Different Situations, Setting Up a Computer Forensics Lab, Understanding Hardware and Software Requirements of a Forensics Lab, Building Security Content, Scripts, Tools, or Methods to Enhance Forensic Processes, Documenting the Electronic Crime Scene, Search and Seizure, Evidence Preservation, Data Acquisition, Case Analysis, Reporting, and Testifying as an Expert Witness.

Module 03: Understanding Hard Disks and File Systems
  • Disk Drives and their Characteristics
  • Logical Structure of a Disk
  • Booting Process of Windows, Linux, and macOS Operating Systems
  • File Systems of Windows, Linux, and macOS Operating Systems
  • File System Analysis
  • Storage Systems
  • Encoding Standards and Hex Editors
  • Analyze Popular File Formats

Labs:

  • Analyze file system of Linux and Windows evidence images and recover the deleted files.
  • Analyze file formats.

Key topics covered:

Hard Disk Drive, Solid-State Drive (SSD), Disk Interfaces, Logical Structure of Disks, Windows Boot Process, macOS Boot Process, Linux Boot Process, Windows File Systems, Linux File Systems, macOS File Systems, File System Analysis, File System Timeline Creation, and Analysis, RAID Storage System, Differences between NAS and SAN, Character Encoding Standards, Hex Editors, PDF File Analysis, Word File Analysis, PowerPoint File Analysis, and Excel File Analysis.

Module 04: Data Acquisition and Duplication
  • Data Acquisition
  • eDiscovery
  • Data Acquisition Methodology
  • Preparing an Image File for Examination

Labs:

  • Create a forensics image for examination and convert it into various supportive formats for data acquisition.

Key topics covered:

Live Acquisition, Dead Acquisition, Data Acquisition Format, eDiscovery Collection Methodologies, eDiscovery Tools, Determine the Data Acquisition Method, Select Data Acquisition Tool, Sanitize Target Media, Acquire Volatile Data, Enable Write Protection on the Evidence Media, Acquire Non-Volatile Data, Plan for Contingency, Validate Data Acquisition, Preparing an Image for Examination and Digital Forensic Imaging Tools.

Module 05: Defeating Anti-Forensics Techniques
  • Anti-Forensics Techniques
  • Data Deletion and Recycle Bin Forensics
  • File Carving Techniques and Ways to Recover Evidence from Deleted Partitions
  • Password Cracking/Bypassing Techniques
  • Steganography, Hidden Data in File System Structures, Trail Obfuscation, and File Extension
  • Mismatch
  • Techniques of Artifact Wiping, Overwritten Data/Metadata Detection, and Encryption
  • Program Packers and Footprint Minimizing Techniques

Labs:

  • Perform Solid-state drive (SSD) file carving on Windows and Linux file systems.
  • Recover lost/deleted partitions and their contents.
  • Crack passwords of various applications.
  • Detect hidden data streams and unpack program packers.

Key topics covered:

Challenges to Forensics from Anti-Forensics, Anti-Forensics Techniques, Data/File Deletion, Recycle Bin in Windows, File Carving, Recovering Deleted Partitions, Password Cracking Tools, Bypassing Windows User Password, Steganography, Alternate Data Streams, Trail Obfuscation, Overwriting Data/Metadata, Encryption, Program Packers, and Anti-Forensics Techniques that Minimize Footprint.

Module 06: Windows Forensics
  • Windows Forensics
  • Collect Volatile Information
  • Collect Non-volatile Information
  • Windows Memory Analysis
  • Windows Registry Analysis
  • Electron Application Analysis
  • Web Browser Forensics
  • Examine Windows Files and Metadata
  • ShellBags, LNK Files, and Jump Lists
  • Text-based Logs and Windows Event Logs

Labs:

  • Acquire and investigate RAM and Windows registry contents.
  • Examine forensic artifacts from web browsers.
  • Identify and extract forensic evidence from computers.

Key topics covered:

Windows Forensics Methodology, Collecting Volatile Information, Collecting Non-volatile Information, Collecting Windows Domain Information, Examining Compressed Files, Windows Memory Analysis, Memory Forensics, Windows Registry Analysis, Electron Application Forensics, Web Browser Forensics, Carving SOLite Database Files. Windows File Analysis, Metadata Investigation, Windows ShellBags, Analyzing LNK Files, Analyzing Jump Lists, Windows 11 Event Logs, and Windows Forensics Tools.

Module 07: Linux and Mac Forensics
  • Collect Volatile Information in Linux
  • Collect Non-Volatile Information in Linux
  • Linux Memory Forensics
  • Mac Forensics
  • Collect Volatile Information in Mac
  • Collect Non-Volatile Information in Mac
  • Mac Memory Forensics and Mac Forensics Tools

Labs:

  • Perform volatile and non-volatile data acquisition on Linux and Mac computers.
  • Perform memory forensics on a Linux machine.

Key topics covered:

Collecting Volatile Information, Collecting Non- Volatile Information, Linux Memory Forensics, Mac Forensics Data, Mac Log Files, Mac Directories, Mac Memory Forensics, APFS Analysis, Parsing Metadata on Spotlight, and Mac Forensics Tools.

Module 08: Network Forensics
  • Network Forensics
  • Event Correlation
  • Indicators of Compromise (loCs) from Network Logs
  • Investigate Network Traffic
  • Incident Detection and Examination
  • Wireless Network Forensics
  • Detect and Investigate Wireless Network Attacks

Labs:

  • Identify and investigate network attacks.
  • Analyze network traffic for artifacts.

Key topics covered:

Postmortem and Real-Time Analysis, Types of Network-based Evidence, Types of Event Correlation, Event Correlation Approaches, Analyzing Firewall Logs, Analyzing IDS Logs, Analyzing Honeypot Logs, Analyzing Router Logs, Analyzing DHCP Logs, Analyzing Cisco Switch Logs, Analyzing VPN Logs, Analyzing DNS Server Logs, Network Log Analysis Tools, Analyze Traffic for Network Attacks, Tools for Investigating Network Traffic, SIEM Solutions, Examine Network Attacks, Types of Wireless Evidence, Wireless Network Forensics Processes, Detect Rogue Access Points, Analyze Wireless Packet Captures, Analyze Wi-Fi Spectrum, and Tools for Investigating Wireless Network Traffic.

Module 09: Malware Forensics
  • Malware
  • Malware Forensics
  • Static Malware Analysis
  • Analyze Suspicious Documents
  • System Behavior Analysis
  • Network Behavior Analysis
  • Ransomware Analysis

Labs:

  • Perform static malware analysis.
  • Analyze a suspicious PDF file and Microsoft Office document.
  • Emotet malware analysis.

Key topics covered:

Different Ways for Malware to Enter a System, Components of Malware, Malware Forensic Artifacts, Setting Up a Controlled Malware Analysis Lab, Malware Analysis Tools, Types of Malware Analysis, Static Malware Analysis, System Behavior Analysis, Network Behavior Analysis, and Ransomware Analysis – BlackCat (ALPHV)

Module 10: Investigating Web Attacks
  • Web Application Forensics
  • Internet Information Services (IIS) Logs
  • Apache Web Server Logs
  • Detect and Investigate Various Attacks on Web Applications

Labs:

  • Identify and investigate web application attacks.

Key topics covered:

Indicators of a Web Attack, OWASP Top 10 Application Security Risks – 2021, Web Attack Investigation Methodology, IIS Web Server Architecture, Analyzing IIS Logs, IIS Log Analysis Tools, Apache Web Server Logs, Apache Access Logs, Apache Error Logs, Apache Log Analysis Tools, Investigating Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Attack, Investigating SQL Injection Attack, Investigating Path/Directory Traversal Attack, Investigating Command Injection Attack, Investigating XML External Entity (XXE) Attack, and Investigating Brute-Force Attack.

Module 11: Dark Web Forensics
  • Dark Web and Dark Web Forensics
  • Identify the Traces of Tor Browser during Investigation
  • Tor Browser Forensics

Labs:

  • Detect Tor Browser Activity and examine RAM dumps to discover Tor Browser artifacts.

Key topics covered:

Working with the Tor Browser, Dark Web Forensics, Identifying the Tor Browser Artifacts, Tor Browser Forensics, Memory Dump Analysis, and Forensic Analysis of Memory Dumps to Examine Email Artifacts.

Module 12: Cloud Forensics
  • Cloud Computing
  • Cloud Forensics
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) Fundamentals
  • AWS Forensics
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
  • Microsoft Azure Forensics
  • Google Cloud Fundamentals
  • Google Cloud Forensics

Labs:

  • Forensic acquisition and examination of an Amazon EC2 Instance, Azure VM, and GCP VM.

Key topics covered:

Types of Cloud Computing Services, Separation of Responsibilities in the Cloud, OWASP Top 10 Cloud Security Risks, Uses of Cloud Forensics, Data Storage in AWS, Logs in AWS, Forensic Acquisition of Amazon EC2 Instance, Data Storage in Azure, Logs in Azure, Forensic Acquisition of VMs in Azure, Data Storage in Google Cloud, Logs in Google Cloud, Forensic Acquisition of Persistent Disk Volumes in GCP, Investigating Google Cloud Security Incidents, Investigating Google Cloud Container Security Incidents, and Investigating Google Cloud VM- based Security Incidents.

Module 13: Email and Social Media Forensics
  • Email Basics
  • Email Crime Investigation and its Steps
  • U.S. Laws Against Email Crime
  • Social Media Forensics

Labs:

  • Investigate a suspicious email to extract forensic evidence.

Key topics covered:

Components Involved in Email Communication, Parts of an Email Message, Steps to Investigate Email Crimes, U.S. Laws Against Email Crime, Social Media Crimes, Extracting Footage from Social Media Platforms, Tracking Social Media User Activities, Constructing and Analyzing Social Network Graphs, and Social Media Forensics Tools.

Module 14: Mobile Forensics
  • Mobile Device Forensics
  • Android and iOS Architecture and Boot Process
  • Mobile Forensics Process
  • Investigate Cellular Network Data
  • File System Acquisition
  • Phone Locks, Rooting, and Jailbreaking of Mobile Devices
  • Logical Acquisition on Mobile Devices
  • Physical Acquisition of Mobile Devices
  • Android and iOS Forensic Analysis

Labs:

  • Examine an Android image file and carve deleted files.

Key topics covered:

Mobile Device Forensics, OWASP Top 10 Mobile Risk, Android OS Architecture, iOS Architecture, Mobile Forensics Process, Android Forensics Process, IOS Forensics Process, Cell Site Analysis, Android File System, iOS File System, Bypassing Locked Android Devices, Accessing Root Files in Android, Jailbreaking of iOS Devices, Logical Acquisition, Cloud Data Acquisition on Android and iOS Devices, Physical Acquisition, JTAG Forensics, Flasher Boxes, Static Analysis and Dynamic Analysis of Android Package Kit (APK), Android Log Analysis Tools, Collecting WhatsApp Artifacts from Android Devices, Analyzing iOS Safari Artifacts, Analyzing iOS Keychains, and iOS Forensic Analysis.

Module 15: IoT Forensics
  • IoT Concepts
  • IoT Devices Forensics

Key topics covered:

IoT Architecture, loT Security Problems, OWASP Top 10 IoT Threats, IoT Forensics Process, IoT Forensics Challenges, Wearable loT Device: Smartwatch, and IoT Device Forensics: Smart Speaker-Amazon Echo, Hardware Level Analysis: JTAG and Chip-off Forensics, Extracting and Analyzing Data from Drone/UAVs, and IoT Forensics Tools.

Key Benefits of the CHFI Program

These are the roles that will benefit most from taking this certification:

BROCHURE

The Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (C|HFI) credential is the most trusted digital forensics certification employers worldwide value. The comprehensive curriculum aligns with all the crucial digital forensic job roles globally. It covers a detailed and methodological approach to digital forensics and evidence analysis that also pivots around Dark Web, IoT, and Cloud Forensics. When you successfully achieve the CIHFI certification, you will be empowered with the best skills and expertise to conduct digital investigations using ground-breaking technologies.

This is only an overview of the CIHFI and what you will learn.

For detailed insights, download the brochure now!

Career Opportunities with the CHFI

 CIHFI captures all the essentials of digital forensics analysis and evaluation required for the modern world – tested and approved by veterans and top practitioners in the cyber forensics industry. From identifying the footprints of a breach to collecting evidence for prosecution, C/HFI guides students through every step of the process with experiential learning. Industry practitioners have engineered CHFI for professionals to delve into 30+ lucrative job roles.

Salaries

As per the Salary Survey 75 Report, EC-Council’s C/HFI is the only Digital Forensic Certification with a six-digit salary of up to United States. $117,950 in the United States
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of forensic science technicians will expand by 13% between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
As per Salary Survey Report 75, EC-Council’s CHFI’s is the only digital forensic course with 6 figure salary in US.

Who Can Apply?

Recommended Prerequisites for CIHFI:
IT/Forensics professionals with basic knowledge of IT/cybersecurity, computer forensics, incident response, and threat vectors.

FAQS

Is the CHFI worth getting?

Yes. EC-Council’s C/HFI is a comprehensive certification program with 68 complex labs. It has extensive coverage of digital forensics that offers candidates a practical and holistic approach to cyber threats. EC-Council’s ANAB-accredited and US DoD approved C/HFI certification signifies your competencies and skills, conveying to employers that you can be an asset to an organization’s security team.

How do I become a Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator?

To become a Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator, one must complete the 4-hour C/HFI exam by pursuing the CIHFI training program via any program delivery mode (training partner (In Person), iLearn (Self-Study), or iWeek (Live Online).

How do I get started with the CHFI?

EC-Council’s CIHFI program enables you to use various delivery modes. To get started, you can either take the training via the program delivery modes, i.e., iLearn (Self-Study), iWeek (live-Online), or training partner (In-Person).

How do I become a CHFI expert?

You can become a CIHFI expert by completing the C|HFI exam and earning a credential. Once certified, you can prove your competency in digital forensics, from analyzing digital evidence to prosecuting cybercriminals.

What jobs can I get after the CHFI certification program?

After becoming a C|HFI professional, you can become a digital forensics investigator, incident response analyst, computer forensics examiner, cybersecurity consultant, digital forensics manager, and more among the 30+ job roles listed on the CIHFI website.

Is the CHFI for beginners?

The C | HFI program, designed for IT/forensics professionals, is open to individuals with a basic understanding of IT/cybersecurity, computer forensics, and incident response.

Why is digital forensics important?

Digital forensics utilizes methodical techniques to retrieve lost data, ensure legal compliance, and attribute attacks, preventing future incidents and enhancing overall cybersecurity defenses. This ability is crucial for any organization to be prepared not only in the event of any cyber attack but also in using these investigational skills.

Are there any prerequisites for the CHFI?

IT/forensics professionals must possess basic knowledge of IT/cybersecurity, computer forensics, and incident response to enroll in the CIHFI program.

What do I get as a student in C/HFI?

You gain a holistic program, delving into digital forensics methodologies, essential study materials, and hands-on professional experience. Beyond resources, you become a part of the globally recognized cybersecurity community, making meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving cybersecurity industry.

₹20,000.00

₹25,000.00