Computer forensics contest aims to spawn new tools against cyber crime

Tools of computer forensics against cyber crime are forged by computer experts in an annual event organized by the Cyber Crime Center of the U.S. Department of Defense. The 2011 DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge started last year and gave contestants one year to create their own tools, methods and techniques in digital forensics. This offshoot of forensic science deals with extracting digital evidence from computers and digital storage devices for security and legal purposes. The 26 teams who participated tackled areas such as malware, passwords, file signatures, encryption, information concealment, and other digital data tools. The computer forensics challenge aims to attract young talents into the growing field and to foster new ideas and innovation. Organizers are hoping the ideas and tools created will help computer forensic practitioners in the real world in their fight against cyber crime. The DoD Cyber Crime Center, International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants, Cyber Watch, SANS, International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats and the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School sponsored the event. A South Korean team won the top award for this year’s computer forensics challenge.