Published: May 24, 2017 by Anna Maloney

Digital Forensics for Archivists, a new one-unit course offered in the MARA program, introduces the unique properties of born-digital records and explores the role of digital forensics in archival record management.

Beginning in the summer 2017 semester, MARA is offering a new series of one-credit courses. These courses will allow students to take a deep-dive into a particular subject, and students who take all three courses can use the credits towards the MARA elective requirement. As students prepare their fall semester schedules, the MARA program is pleased to announce the second one-credit course offering: Digital Forensics for Archivists. 

“This seminar will introduce the unique properties of born-digital records and explore the role of digital forensics in archival record management. Discover forensic tools and processes used by archivists to identify and extract collections from computer storage media (e.g. floppy disks, hard drives, thumb drives, CDs) and from cloud based services. Explore how born-digital records introduce unique ethical and legal issues and through tutorials and hands-on exercises gain a foundational understanding of how digital forensics can be applied in archives.”

The course, available under MARA 284-11, will run from August 23rd to September 22nd, and will be taught by Michael Olson, the service manager at the Born Digital Forensics Lab at Stanford University. It would be a great companion to students who are also interested in earning the Advanced Certificate in Digital Assets and Services: Information Governance, Assurance, and Security.