[WD161] Computer Forensics & Security

CathalC2011

I'm currently in 6th year studying for the ould LC. I've been looking through all the computer sci. oriented courses, and I'm considering WIT as my number 4 on the CAO. I'm particularly interested in computer security research development, and intend to further my career with a pentesting certificate, probably by Offensive Security.

The only problem is, a little bird told me that the WIT computer science grads aren't the most promising. They don't know their stuff, haven't developed their own skills, and aren't particularly intuitive. Not a fault of the students, but of the course itself. Note, this was the C.S. course, not forensics/security.

I've searched around here quite a bit already, but haven't found any threads specifically on the security course. Does anyone here have any experience? I'd love to hear some opinions on this. Is the course in-depth? Does it lay solid computing foundations? Thanks in advance!

brian plank

CathalC2011 wrote: »

WIT computer science grads aren't the most promising. They don't know their stuff, haven't developed their own skills, and aren't particularly intuitive.

here's a tip when looking for opinions. don't call the people you're asking sh*te :pac:

Digital Society

Out of curiosity what did you choose for your first 3?

fozz10

Applied computing in wit is one of the most recognised computer science courses in any IT in the country.

neilk32

Try for a University Computer Science course, you can specialise yourself outside of college time.

Shox2711

I'm considering the course myself. Seems very interesting and something I would really enjoy. Its a very specialised area of Comp Sci so I don't see why it would hold anyone back from getting a career in that particular area.

hotshot88

For the Computer Forensics & Security it'l be handy to know a few thing beforehand, the first year you'll be working with java for the programming a lot so brush up on it a bit.

don't neglect your leaving cert maths, the first year has the hardest maths and after year 2, but theres little more after that.

as for the forensics side of thing the first year you'll go over a bit of evidence study and report creating, as well using a few freeware(winhex, TSK, etc (look em up)), nothing too complex, in sesmester 2 a bit of crypto but that comes in more in the later years

the applied and forensics share a lot of classes so most of the coursework is the same, with the forensics focusing on the legal and forensics and the applied for those who edge more to programming, only one or two classes a sesmester differ

also don't use one OS on your computer, either dualboot or use a virutal machine(vmware)(the forensics tutor pefers his students to use linux(backtrack or kali), u can still use windows or mac but working in linux will help with the forensic tools used)

but listen to the stuff the tutors(most of whom know their stuff) says and write it down, some will give out notes but others perfer u to write everything down, trust me it helps at the end of the year with the exams

hope this helps

CathalC2011

brian plank wrote: »

here's a tip when looking for opinions. don't call the people you're asking sh*te :pac:

You're absolutely right, that was rude. However my reason for mentioning that is because my source happens to employ post-grads for a global MNC. Obviously I can't offer any opinion myself, but it's harsh words I have to take into consideration. I don't want to just breeze through the course and obtain a 4 year degree with nothing to show for, I want to really know my stuff. Anyway as I said, I'm told it was a fault of the course, not the students.

Digital Society wrote: »

Out of curiosity what did you choose for your first 3?

1) UCD Computer Science
2) Trinity Computer Science
3) NUI Galway Computer Science and Information Technology

fozz10 wrote: »

Applied computing in wit is one of the most recognised computer science courses in any IT in the country.

I've never heard that before, but I can't really argue.

neilk32 wrote: »

Try for a University Computer Science course, you can specialise yourself outside of college time.

That's what I intend to do, but this is a backup. I'm told I already have the programming skills of a 2nd year Comp. Sci. student, and have a ton of experience regarding black-box web app pentesting. Yes, I'm one of those kids.

Shox2711 wrote: »

I'm considering the course myself. Seems very interesting and something I would really enjoy. Its a very specialised area of Comp Sci so I don't see why it would hold anyone back from getting a career in that particular area.

Exactly what I'm thinking, just looking for the opinions of any actual students of this course. NOT the general Comp. Sci. course

hotshot88 wrote: »

For the Computer Forensics & Security it'l be handy to know a few thing beforehand, the first year you'll be working with java for the programming a lot so brush up on it a bit.

don't neglect your leaving cert maths, the first year has the hardest maths and after year 2, but theres little more after that.

as for the forensics side of thing the first year you'll go over a bit of evidence study and report creating, as well using a few freeware(winhex, TSK, etc (look em up)), nothing too complex, in sesmester 2 a bit of crypto but that comes in more in the later years

the applied and forensics share a lot of classes so most of the coursework is the same, with the forensics focusing on the legal and forensics and the applied for those who edge more to programming, only one or two classes a sesmester differ

also don't use one OS on your computer, either dualboot or use a virutal machine(vmware)(the forensics tutor pefers his students to use linux(backtrack or kali), u can still use windows or mac but working in linux will help with the forensic tools used)

but listen to the stuff the tutors(most of whom know their stuff) says and write it down, some will give out notes but others perfer u to write everything down, trust me it helps at the end of the year with the exams

hope this helps

As I said, I can already write advanced PHP applications, and have minor experience with C#, C++ and reverse-engineering binaries. I hope this will put me in a good position gain as much from the course as possible. As for dualbooting, I'm already running Win7 alongside Crunchbang linux

Thanks for all the replies lads

Digital Society

CathalC2011 wrote: »

As I said, I can already write advanced PHP applications, and have minor experience with C#, C++ and reverse-engineering binaries. I hope this will put me in a good position gain as much from the course as possible. As for dualbooting, I'm already running Win7 alongside Crunchbang linux

Thanks for all the replies lads

I wouldnt say youre up to 3rd year level to be honest. Maybe with PHP. Minor experience with C wouldnt be 3rd year level.

However you sound eager so what i would advise is to find out what OO languages those courses use. Likely C or Java so id start experimenting more with those.

Its unlikely your going to end up in WIT if its your 4th choice but good luck wherever you end up.

I would say its not that WIT is any worse its just that people who go to Trinity and UCD would be more likely to be better at the subject through their own initiative rather than college resources. Youll be exposed to the same material no matter where you go.

CathalC2011

Digital Society wrote: »

I wouldnt say youre up to 3rd year level to be honest. Maybe with PHP. Minor experience with C wouldnt be 3rd year level.

However you sound eager so what i would advise is to find out what OO languages those courses use. Likely C or Java so id start experimenting more with those.

Its unlikely your going to end up in WIT if its your 4th choice but good luck wherever you end up.

I would say its not that WIT is any worse its just that people who go to Trinity and UCD would be more likely to be better at the subject through their own initiative rather than college resources. Youll be exposed to the same material no matter where you go.

I stand corrected, meant to say 2nd year, but obviously I'm missing all the theoretical aspects of the course. C isn't OO, however it does seem to be the most common language studied alongside Java.

And yeah I suppose I'll probably only end up applying for WIT if I don't get the 420 Galway requires, but that's no reason not to find out as much about the course as possible, eh? After all it was the one which piqued my interest due to the specificity of the course content.!

Digital Society

I assumed Galway was less than 420 to be honest. Facility wise etc. its about on par with WIT. More IT jobs down there would drive up points i now assume.

Anyway, Good luck with wherever you end up. One piece of advice i would give you is with any college course is to have project ideas in mind and work towards them while there. You will likely do several projects per year. so get the hard part of planning and ideas out of the way before you even start.

Edit - Also meant C# but id say concentrate on Java as its more in demand in Ireland. Not that you wont get a job with C# or even pick up Java easily after learning C#.

Also several people completed degrees in WIT then went for a masters in UCD and got on fine so id say its up to the person really.

CathalC2011

Digital Society wrote: »

I assumed Galway was less than 420 to be honest. Facility wise etc. its about on par with WIT. More IT jobs down there would drive up points i now assume.

Anyway, Good luck with wherever you end up. One piece of advice i would give you is with any college course is to have project ideas in mind and work towards them while there. You will likely do several projects per year. so get the hard part of planning and ideas out of the way before you even start.

Edit - Also meant C# but id say concentrate on Java as its more in demand in Ireland. Not that you wont get a job with C# or even pick up Java easily after learning C#.

Also several people completed degrees in WIT then went for a masters in UCD and got on fine so id say its up to the person really.

Yeah whatever I get, I definitely want to go for the masters in either UCD or Trinity. Well listen thanks for the replies (and the good luck), I only wish there was someone here to expand on the security aspect of WD161!

neilk32

Digital Society wrote: »

I assumed Galway was less than 420 to be honest. Facility wise etc. its about on par with WIT. More IT jobs down there would drive up points i now assume.

What? I would say there is a massive gap between NUIG and WIT both in terms of staff knowledge and much better facilities.