SIT703 - Computer Forensics and Investigations
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online, GIFT City (India)^ |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Ansam Khraisat |
| Prerequisite | SIT774 |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | SIT282 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | 1 x 3 hour seminar per week, weekly meetings. |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment | Online independent and collaborative learning including 1 x 2 hour online seminar per week, weekly meetings. |
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Supplementary information | ^GIFT City (India) offering is available to students enrolled at the GIFT City (India) campus only. |
Content
In this unit, students explore various options available to organisations to investigate problems and attacks on security incidents that impact their computer systems and networks. It enables Students to develop knowledge of laws governing the IT domain and apply approaches to investigating cyber-crime using digital and network forensic techniques. A range of computer forensic frameworks will be discussed to systematically assist organisations in identifying, analysing, and reporting cyber security incidents. In addition, students will study exploitation techniques and use system log files, domain authentication, network traffic and registry mechanisms to acquire digital evidence. Students will also investigate contemporary and AI-driven forensic techniques for evidence acquisition, analysis, and recovery. The key focus of the unit is on the identification, preservation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of digital evidence related to misuse or intrusion into an enterprise-level system.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Explain digital and network forensic procedures and investigative findings to diverse stakeholder. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Investigate and critically evaluate and apply appropriate forensic tools and AI-assisted techniques to acquire, preserve, and recover digital evidence. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Analyse and interpret complex forensic data using appropriate forensic tools and AI-assisted techniques to support further investigation of cybersecurity incidents. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Design, prepare and reflect on findings and prepare reports for stakeholders that justifies findings and recommends implicatory action. | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO5 | Conduct research on and critically evaluate methods and techniques adopted for contemporary digital forensic investigations across a range of scenarios. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning portfolio | Portfolio consisting of programming code, presentations and reports. | 100% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirements
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must meet certain milestones as part of the Learning portfolio.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SIT703 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.