Digital Forensics Fundamentals

This module provides an introduction to digital forensics and digital forensic investigation.

You will learn about forensic science, including the history and current scope of digital forensics, the laws and regulations that govern it, key concepts like digital evidence and traces, standard forensic processes, incident response, crime scene triage, and the tools and capabilities used in digital forensic laboratories.

Start your continuing education on 27 April 2026.
 

Course in English

Factsheet

  • Degree/Certificate Specialised course
  • Duration 5 days
  • Schedule Week 18, 27.04.–01.05.2026
    08.30–16.30
  • Application deadline 24 March 2026
  • ECTS credits 3 ECTS-Credits
  • Costs CHF 2'500
  • Teaching language English
  • Location Biel, Aarbergstrasse 46
    Onsite course
  • School School of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Next session April 2026

Contact

Content + Structure

This specialised course provides an introduction to digital forensics and digital forensic investigation.

Portrait

The digital transformation of society is affecting crime, criminals and criminal investigation. New cyber criminal methods using advanced technical tools and exploitation are an opportunity for criminals and a challenge for investigators. Technically complex illegal activities are being sold as services to less skilled criminals, increasing the challenge of fighting cybercrime. On the other hand, criminals face challenges trying to hide and avoid attribution. The large amount of digital traces stored across multiple locations creates an opportunity for criminal investigators.

Crime scenes are also changing. With the growth of cybercrime, crime scenes are becoming virtual, global, and multi-jurisdictional. Investigating a trans-national cyber crime scene requires investigative tools to remotely gather information, and also collaboration between entities in both the public and private sectors.

Modern physical crime scenes have a comprehensive set of digital evidence sources. In addition to PCs and notebooks, digital evidence traces can be found in mobiles, IoT devices, automobiles, smart control systems, data stored with cloud providers, and distributed on servers across the Internet. With the increase in digital and online payment systems, financial transactions are also becoming an important digital evidence source, especially in financially motivated crimes.

Career opportunities

The Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation specialised courses will prepare students for career opportunities in a variety of organizations:

  • Law enforcement – Federal agencies, KAPOs
  • Military and government – CERTs, cyber-troops
  • Finance industry – fraud/cybercrime investigation teams
  • Insurance industry – cyber insurance claims investigation
  • Large enterprises – security and incident response teams
  • Consultancy and audit – e-Discovery, accounting, «Big Four»
  • IT security service providers and product vendors
  • Private boutique digital forensic and investigation firms
  • Introduction to forensic science
  • History of digital forensics
  • Current scope of digital forensics research
  • Laws and regulations relevant to digital forensics
  • Concepts of digital evidence and digital traces
  • Digital forensic standards and processes
  • Incident response and crime scene triage
  • Equipment and capabilities of digital forensic laboratories
  • 3 ECTS-Credits
  • Course Certificate

Degree + Title

Specialised Course in «Digital Forensics Fundamentals»

Requirements + admission

Entrance Requirements

Degree from a university or higher professional education (HF, federal diploma).  Professional experience in the field of cyber security / forensics.

Implementation Provisions

Target audience

The Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation specialised course is designed for two groups of professionals:

  • Experienced forensic investigators who want to increase their technical skills in digital forensics and cyber investigations.
  • Experienced engineers and technicians who want to transition into the field of digital forensics and cyber investigations.

Organisation + Registration

Reserve your continuing education study place early.

Application deadline

24 March 2026

Start your continuing education now.

CHF 2'500

Duration

5 days

Schedule

One-week block: Week 18, 27 April to 1 May 2026, onsite.

Teaching hours

08.30–16.30

Infoevent and Course guidance

Do you have questions about continuing education? We will be happy to answer your questions.

Course guidance

Choosing a basic or continuing education programme is an important decision when planning your professional career. We will be happy to answer your questions and clarify your personal requirements for the desired continuing education during an individual consultation.

Location

This specialised course is held on site at Aarbergstrasse 46 in Biel/Bienne.

Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne (SIPBB)

A location with many advantages

  • Classrooms within two minutes walking distance from Biel/Bienne railway station
  • Ideal train connections from Bern’s main railway station (every 15 minutes) and from Bern Wankdorf (every 30 minutes)
  • State-of-the-art infrastructure in the new SIPBB building
  • Various catering options in the immediate vicinity
  • Innovation and networking events

And that’s not all! Biel/Bienne is…

  • an innovation hotspot,
  • a university city,
  • an industrial and service city with numerous major players in the watchmaking, mechanical engineering, precision engineering and medical technology industries and major representatives of the communications and telecommunications sectors,
  • bordered by Lake Biel and its wide range of sports and leisure facilities,
  • a city that embodies bilingualism,
  • a town with a vibrant cultural life.

Biel Aarbergstrasse 46 (Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne)

Biel, Aarbergstrasse 46

Bern University of Applied Sciences

Engineering and Computer Science
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne
Aarbergstrasse 46
CH 2503 Biel

Bern University of Applied Sciences

Engineering and Computer Science
Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne
Aarbergstrasse 46
CH 2503 Biel

Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation Specialised Courses

The Digital Forensics & Cyber Investigation (DFCI) professional courses offer a choice of Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation modules. They are held as one-week full-time intensive courses, making it easier to attend and faster to complete. The courses are taught in English by internationally recognised experts in the field.