DEF Digital Forensics

Project scope

 

This project involves the revision of the Certificate IV and Diploma in Electronic Forensics including 12 Units of Competency in the Defence Training Package. This is aimed at enabling Defence personnel who engage in electronic forensics to maintain currency with changing technology and software packages used in their field.

 

Defence electronic forensics (sometimes known as digital forensics) is a branch of forensic science encompassing recovery and investigation of material found on digital devices, often in relation to computer crime.

 

There have been significant advancements in technology where forensic investigators are dealing with evidence gathering from more complex devices and systems. The software tools used in forensics are often updated, therefore Defence personnel need to keep pace with these changes to be able to use modern devices and to analyse cloud storage systems. The collection, handling, and preservation of evidence during a workplace investigation is critical as digital evidence is now used to prosecute all types of crimes, not just e-crime. It is therefore essential that Defence forensics personnel are fully equipped with the latest skills and knowledge as it can impact on the outcome of an investigation.

 

VIEW CASE FOR CHANGE

 

The Public Safety Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will have oversight of this project, which will be facilitated by Australian Industry Standards (AIS) in consultation with industry stakeholders. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed to provide subject matter expertise for the development of Training Package materials.

 

If you have any questions about this project or are a subject matter expert and would like to be considered for the TAC, please contact the Industry Skills Specialist.

 

Timeline

 

The Case for Endorsement and draft materials are due to be submitted by 30 June 2022.

 

Deliverables

 

The full list of products included in this project:

 

Qualifications

  • DEF43115Y Certificate IV in Electronic Forensics
  • DEF53115Y Diploma of Electronic Forensics

 

Units of Competency

  • DEFFOR001Y Inspect, maintain and test electronic forensic equipment
  • DEFFOR002Y Conduct initial electronic investigation
  • DEFFOR003Y Gather and analyse electronic information
  • DEFFOR004Y Capture forensic photographic images
  • DEFFOR005Y Compile and submit electronic media forensic documentation
  • DEFFOR006Y Conduct electronic data search and analysis
  • DEFFOR007Y Set up, operate and maintain a portable audio recorder
  • DEFFOR008Y Detect, record and collect electronic evidence
  • DEFFOR009Y Give evidence of electronic media crime
  • DEFFOR010Y Produce an electronic media image for forensic purposes
  • DEFFOR011Y Assess, control and examine electronic incident scenes
  • DEFGEN023Y Capture video images

 

TAC ESTABLISHED

 

13 SEPTEMBER 2021

 

The Public Safety Industry Reference Committee has established a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for this project.

 

Comprising four subject matter experts from the Digital Forensics Industry and personnel from Defence, the TAC has been tasked with:

  • Providing specialist industry subject-matter knowledge to help review two qualifications and 11 Units of Competency in the Defence Training Package to ensure Defence personnel who engage in electronic forensics keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field.
  • Validating the technical content of the Training Package products
  • Identifying relevant qualitative and quantitative data sources to inform the development of draft materials
  • Reviewing feedback from stakeholders through public consultations
  • Assisting in identifying and engaging broader industry networks to participate in consultation and/or validation activities throughout the duration of the project
  • Offering advice and guidance to assist in informing the direction of the project throughout its duration
  • Making recommendations on the developed Training Package materials to the relevant IRC, which has the final decision-making authority.

 

The first meeting of the TAC was held on Wednesday, 8 September 2021.

Technical advisory committee

 

7 JULY 2021

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS NEEDED

 

Work on this project has commenced and the Public Safety Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is forming a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

 

Your industry expertise and insight is welcome to help review and develop Training Package materials in the revision of Certificate IV and Diploma in Electronic Forensics including 12 Units of Competency in the Defence Training Package to ensure Defence personnel who engage in electronic forensics can keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field.

 

Defence electronic forensics (sometimes known as digital forensics) is a branch of forensic science encompassing recovery and investigation of material found on digital devices, often in relation to computer crime.

 

A background in the Defence force or information and communication technologies would be desirable.

 

Registrations closed Wednesday, 21 July 2021.

Consultation

15 NOVEMBER 2021

DRAFT MATERIAL

 

On behalf of the Public Safety Industry Reference Committee, in consultation with subject matter experts on the Technical Advisory Committee, the draft Training Package materials for the Defence Digital Forensics project have been finalised.

 

This project includes the revision of the Certificate IV and Diploma in Digital Forensics and 10 Units of Competency, and also proposes:

  • the removal of DEFGEN023 from the Certificate IV in Digital Forensics qualification
  • the removal of DEFFOR007 from the Certificate IV in Digital Forensics qualification and deletion from the Defence Training Package

 

These draft products will address changes to ensure Defence personnel who engage in digital forensics can keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field. This material will not be made available publicly during consultation, and access to this material will be authorised by contacting the Industry Skills Specialist and approved by Defence Education, Learning and Training Authority (DELTA).

 

Feedback closed Friday 10 December 2021.

Quality Assurance

10 JUNE 2022

FINAL DRAFT CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT

 

Development work has been completed on draft materials for the Defence Training Package (Release 5.0), addressing priority skills needs of the industry.

 

Draft products, including updates to the Certificate IV and Diploma in Digital Forensics and 10 Units of Competency, address changes to ensure Defence personnel who engage in digital forensics keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field.

 

This material will not be made publicly available and access to the proposed products need to be authorised by contacting the Industry Skills Specialist and approved by Defence Education, Learning and Training Authority (DELTA).

 

The Case for Endorsement is scheduled to be submitted to the AISC in June 2022.

 

 

Validation

13 JANUARY 2022

FINAL DRAFT MATERIAL

 

On behalf of the Public Safety Industry Reference Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee has considered all stakeholder feedback and is now in the process of validating the revised draft materials.

 

This project includes the revision of the Certificate IV and Diploma in Digital Forensics and 10 Units of Competency.

 

These draft products address changes to ensure Defence personnel who engage in digital forensics keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field.

 

This material will not be made available publicly during consultation, and access to this material will be authorised by contacting the Industry Skills Specialist and approved by Defence Education, Learning and Training Authority (DELTA).

 

Feedback for this second-round validation of material is required by close of business Friday 21 January 2022.

 

If you would like to know more about this project or request access to the materials, please contact the Industry Skills Specialist.

Endorsement

26 OCTOBER 2022

 

The Defence Training Package Release 5.0 has been endorsed by the Skills Ministers for implementation.

 

The Public Safety Industry Reference Committee has led the development of new and revised materials through the projects below to address priority skills needs for Defence.

 

This project has resulted in updates to the Certificate IV and Diploma in Digital Forensics and 10 associated Units of Competency to address the significant advancements in technology that forensic investigators deal with when gathering evidence from complex devices and systems. These changes will enable forensic investigators to lawfully establish evidence that is often found in digital storage mediums and computers. The skills represented in the updated qualifications will ensure that digital evidence is managed and stored appropriately, and that the chain of evidence is maintained.

 

The packaging rules for both qualifications have been changed to a Core Only Model, ensuring that all participants receive the same training and quarantining continuity within digital forensics. The title of the qualifications was also updated to reflect the forensics focus on digital skills.

 

To support the delivery of the Training Package, a Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) has been developed to assist assessors, trainers, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and enterprises. The CVIG contains a comprehensive list of all products in the Training Package; mapping information which details the changes that have been made to the materials; regulation and licensing implications; and useful links to other information.

 

The endorsed Defence Training Package Release 5.0 is now available on training.gov.au

 

This release also includes the following projects:

 

The following materials were approved:

Qualifications

  • DEF43122 Certificate IV in Digital Forensics
  • DEF53122 Diploma of Digital Forensics

 

New/Revised Units

  • DEFFOR012 Assess, control and examine digital incident scenes
  • DEFFOR013 Capture forensic digital photographs or video
  • DEFFOR014 Compile and submit digital forensic documentation
  • DEFFOR015 Conduct digital data search and analysis
  • DEFFOR016 Conduct initial digital investigation
  • DEFFOR017 Detect, collect and record digital evidence
  • DEFFOR018 Gather and analyse digital information
  • DEFFOR019 Give evidence of digital media crime
  • DEFFOR020 Inspect, maintain and test digital forensic equipment
  • DEFFOR021 Produce a digital media image for forensic purposes

 

 

Approval

1 SEPTEMBER 2022

 

At its meeting on August 19, the AISC approved the DEF Defence Training Package Release 5.0 for referral to Skills Ministers for endorsement.

 

Training Package materials developed through the projects below address priority skills needs for the Defence Industry.

  • Digital Forensics
  • Moral Injury
  • Paralegal Services
  • Range Control
  • Test and Evaluation
  • Work Diving

 

For more information on this project, please contact the Industry Skills Specialist.

 

 

Submission

7 July 2022

CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT SUBMITTED TO AISC

 

The Public Safety Industry Reference Committee has submitted the Case for Endorsement and draft materials for the Defence Training Package (Release 5.0) to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) for consideration at its meeting on 17 August 2022.

 

The proposed materials address priority skills needs for the Defence Industry.

 

Draft products, including updates to the Certificate IV and Diploma in Digital Forensics and 10 Units of Competency, address changes to ensure Defence personnel who engage in digital forensics keep pace with changing technology and software packages used in their field.

 

VIEW CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT

personal

Vincent Panozzo

Industry Skills Specialist - Defence

 

 

 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0427 479 669