e-Crime Bureau organised an intensive practical training programme in Cybercrime Investigations and Digital Forensics at the e-Crime Cyber Lab at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) from May 15 to 19, 2023. The programme attracted professionals from banking/finance, security/law enforcement, academia, insurance and other public and private sector institutions in Ghana. The programme covered the essential concepts, methodologies, and tools used in cybercrime investigations and digital forensics to prepare participants for a career in cybercrime investigations.
The programme was designed into specific modules to encompass and address challenges encountered during investigations on complex networks, platforms, applications and general digital assets, and give a practical understanding of cybercrimes in the context and application of law and legal proceedings. It was also designed to assist participants identify malicious activities through log analysis and to trace sources of an IP address using digital forensic techniques. It further involved practical techniques to deal with complex incidents that require investigations and digital devices that require data recovery and requirements involved in setting up digital forensics laboratories and help desks to develop institutional capabilities in the area.
In the ever-evolving world of cybercrime, staying one step ahead of cybercriminals requires the development of new skills and the update of new techniques, tools, and approaches to unravel complex digitally facilitated crimes.
The training programme was facilitated by a team of digital forensics analysts at the Bureau as well as industry experts who brought onboard real-world knowledge on cybercrime investigation experiences within Ghana’s IT environment as well as touching on global incidents over the past year. Facilitators for the programme shared current and prevailing industry occurrences and exposed participants to digital forensic cases that allowed participants to have practical hands-on experience to solve cases.
Participants were exposed to the latest methodologies and techniques employed in cybercrime investigations. They were equipped to detect, collect, and analyse digital evidence, locate the source of cyber-attacks, and create compelling cases against cyber criminals through case studies and report writing in our practical sessions. Additionally, participants acquired hands-on experience in using cutting-edge forensic tools and techniques. The programme also included interactive sessions that allowed participants to share challenges they have faced in their line of professional work.
Participants at the end of the 5-day session expressed satisfaction and the exposure to the issues of digital forensics in a practical setting and embraced the value e-Crime Bureau has introduced to build the capacity of local professionals, ensure organisations are skilled and tooled to apply the concepts of digital forensics to address everyday issues that emerge in the usage of digital technology to support business functions. Participants advocated for regular mentorship and coaching sessions to ensure that the skills acquired are put to regular use and to build up continuous learning. They appreciated e-Crime Bureau for actively organising these practical programmes over the years to ensure that institutions build capacity locally to strengthen Ghana’s fight against cybercrimes that take place in the digital space.
At the closure of the session, the Bureau’s Training Analyst, Mr. Isaac Boateng thanked participants for their professionalism, dedication and active involvement in the course modules and practical sessions throughout the 5-day period. He also encouraged participants to pursue learning and practice skills acquired which will aid them to participate and prepare for the Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (C|DFE) which will be organised by the Bureau at a later date in 2023. Certificates were presented to all participants who successfully completed the course modules, lab sessions and quizzes.