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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who are the sponsors of this certification?
   
   
2. When will you offer the non-Founders certifications?
   
   
3. Why do the Founders have to create these 15 questions to submit with their applications?
   
   
4. I work for myself. Can I get references from clients? I don’t really have supervisors.
   
   
5. What are the differences between the two certifications – the Digital Forensics Certified Associate (DFCA) and the Digital Forensics Certified Practitioner (DFCP)?
   
   
6. What do you mean by “practical experience” when you say that a DFCP must have three (3) or more years of “practical experience?”
   
   
7. What is the difference between this certification and forensic software certifications?
   
   
8. Will you be offering other digital forensics certifications?
   
   
9. I don’t live in the United States of America (USA). Can I apply? 
   
   

Q:  Who are the sponsors of this certification?
 
A:  This certification is funded partially by the National Institute of Justice and they have funded this project for several years. Personnel on the Digital Forensics Certification Board are nationally recognized computer forensics professionals who have decades of experience serving in the community. Go to the “Contacts” tab on the DFCB.ORG web site to see who they are.

Q:  When will you offer the non-Founders certifications?

A:  Currently the Founders DFCP and DFCA are being offered. We are planning to offer the non-Founders certification (with the testing) for the DFCP and DFCA in September 2009.

Q:  Why do the Founders have to create these 15 questions to submit with their applications?

A:  Because we believe this is an optimal way to begin building a database of questions for our non-Founders certification. Your list of questions are one of the most important parts of the Founder’s application. It takes hundreds of test questions to ensure the testing process is both effective and unchallenged. These questions will go through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they are appropriate for the test.

Q:  I work for myself. Can I get references from clients? I don’t really have supervisors.

A:  Yes.  We know there will be candidates who are self employed and do not wish to exclude them.

Q:  What are the differences between the two certifications – the Digital Forensics Certified Associate (DFCA) and the Digital Forensics Certified Practitioner (DFCP)? 

A:  Those Founders seeking the DFCP certification must demonstrate two (2) or more years of “practical experience” in the last three (3) years. Those seeking the DFCA certification are not required to demonstrate practical experience over the last three years. Candidates for both certifications must have a minimum of five (5) years digital forensics experience overall.

Q:  What do you mean by “practical experience” when you say that a DFCP must have three (3) or more years of “practical experience?”

A:  When we say “practical experience” we are referring to hands-on digital imaging/capturing of digital evidence and digital analysis (from evidence collection to reporting and if necessary, testifying to the evidence).

Q:   What is the difference between this certification and forensic software certifications?

A:  This certification will not test your knowledge of any particular forensic software. We believe a digital forensics certification should go much further than testing a candidate’s knowledge of forensic software. This certification will cover all the aspects of digital forensics – the collection of digital forensics, the legal components, the validation of forensic tools, the reporting, etc. We want to be able to ensure a successful candidate is able to be fully versed in the entire digital forensics profession.

Q:  Will you be offering other digital forensics certifications? 

A:  Yes.  We do plan to offer other digital forensics related certifications. We are starting with basic certifications first. This is the foundational certification. Other special certifications and advanced certifications are being considered.

Q:  I don’t live in the United States of America (USA). Can I apply?

A:  Unfortunately, no. We cannot currently offer certifications to those living outside the USA. Nevertheless, we do plan to offer these to non-USA personnel in the future. We are exploring avenues on how to run international records checks. If you have suggestions on methodologies for doing this please let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions