About Us - Computer Forensic Institute, Nigeria (CFIN)

Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN)
...Developing Digital Forensics Examiners
CFIN
since 2008
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About Us
COMPUTER FORENSICS INSTITUTE, NIGERIA (CFIN)

1.    THE NEED FOR DIGITAL & COMPUTER FORENSICS EXAMINERS.
The field of Digital Forensics arose out of the need to give digital evidence in litigation and in the detection and investigation of all forms of crimes, and to combat internet, digital, and cyber crimes including ATM fraud, money laundering, internet fraud, identify theft, fraudulent websites, mitigation against computer hackers, terrorism, and other crimes.

Digital Forensics, therefore, is the science of detection and investigation of crime committed on computers, computer networks, the internet and other digital devices - (including) IEDs with the intent of giving digital evidence in litigation. The skills required by cybersecurity and digital forensics examiners are, therefore, very broad deeply technical on one hand and highly professional on the other. The Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN) intends to transfer the technical skills and Know-how to interested professionals.

A society where digital crime is limited solely by the criminal’s imagination is an unhealthy one. This sort of dangerous scenario must be controlled through the efforts of cyber security, digital and computer forensic experts – individuals who specialize in the prevention and detection of digital and computer crime and who support law enforcement agencies and the judiciary by skillful handling of digital evidences.
 
The Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN) is a professional organization approved by both the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Justice and incorporate under CAMA1 of 1990. Among its goals is to provide a nationally recognized, unblemished certification that is available to all who can qualify.

2.    AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
·         To professionalize and advance the science of cyber security and digital forensics.
·         To provide a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competency of cyber security and digital forensics examiner.
·         To set high forensics and ethical standards for cyber security and digital forensics examiner.
·         To conduct research and development into new and emerging technologies and methods in the science of cyber security and digital forensics..
·     To promote a cyber security and digital forensics training programme (Formal training leading to membership, seminars, workshops and conferences) that will equip members with the competency to be aware of current and developing principles and practices within the cyber security and digital forensics field, and have technical know- how to carry out digital and computer forensics examinations on behalf of their clients and employers.
·         Providing an understanding of the technical know-how of hackers and the counter-measure against such malicious attacks.
·      To assist the Federal, State and Local Governments, the private sector, financial institutions, Law enforcement agencies, the Judiciary and individuals in the prevention and detection of cyber and digital crime, and in the presentation of digital and computer evidence in litigation.
·         To publish articles in the print and electronic media on digital and computer forensics.
·         To publish a Register of Members.

3.    WHO CAN BE A MEMBER?
CFIN membership is open to Lawyers who have to give cyber, digital and electronic evidence, the Judiciary, Law Enforcement security and intelligence Agents, the Military, Information Technology (I.T.) practitioners, Bank Inspectors, Accountants, Internal Auditors, External Auditors, Engineers, Officials of Government Regulatory Agenda, Federal, State and Local Government Officials, Academicians and anyone who has to give cyber; digital and cyber forensic evidence or who is interested in carrying out research in the field.
 
4.    CFIN MEMBERSHIP
The principal certification offered by CFIN is the Certified Digital Forensics Examiner designation. First awarded in 2008, this certification is the result of CFIN’s desire to increase the level of professionalism and advance the field and science of cyber security and digital forensics.
 
CFIN Certification Board maintains a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competency of cyber security and digital forensics examiners, and sets high forensics and ethical standards.
 
CFIN Certification is available to both law enforcement and non-law enforcement, cyber security and digital forensics examiners who have no criminal record and have the appropriate training and experience. A security clearance may be required.
 
CFIN presently maintains three (3) categories of membership. These and their appropriate designations are listed below:

MEMBERSHIP DESIGNATIONS
1.    Professional Members                                                  MCFI
2.    Fellows                                                                          FCFI (Hon.)
3.    Corporate Members                                                     CorpCFI

Each Professional Member or Fellow is described as “Certified Digital Forensics Examiner” in line with the international standard for the Cyber, Digital Forensics field. Corporate Members with at least two Certified Professional Members in the firm will describe the firm as Certified Digital Forensics Examiners.

5. CFIN MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
 
1. Application Form and Fees
You must complete the Application Form and pay the appropriate fees before you can register as a candidate.
 
2. Training Requirements
The applicant must have successfully completed the required Boot Camp or Online Certification training before sitting for the Certification Examination.
 
In response to the need to rapidly develop the required human and professional capacity for Nigeria, CFIN in collaboration with Digital & Computer Forensics Associates (DCFA), a division of First Digital & Techno-Law Forensics Co. Ltd are pleased to offer prospective members, the CFIN Accelerated (Professional) Certification Programme (CACP), which has the following features:
 
CERTIFICATION:                                          Full Membership (MCFI)
 
TYPE OF TRAINING:                                   Boot Camp (Intensive) or Online Digital Forensics Certification Course
 
DURATION:                                                  24/7 for 30-60 days.or 5 days intensive Boot Camp.

In collaboration with Digital & Computer Forensics Associates (DCFA) - a Division of First Digital & Techno-Law Forensics Co. Ltd - the CFIN Accelerated (Professional) Certification Programme covering the following subject areas:                                                                                                       
  1.   Nature and Scope of Digital, Computer and Cyber Forensics
   2.   Cybercrimes and Cyber Security
   3.   Legal Framework for Cybercrime
   4.   Legal Framework for Electronic Evidence
   5.   Cryptology: Encryption/Decryption Systems-Part 1      
   6.   Data Recovery:  Tools and Techniques for Disaster Recovery
   7.   Data Recovery:  Imaging and Forensic Examination of digital data
   8.   Forensics Analysis
   9.  Biometrics:  Methods and Applications
 10.  Questioned Document Examination & Handwriting Analysis   
 11    Evidence Reporting and Presentation
 12.   Ethics for Digital and Computer Forensics Professional
 
5.  ADHERENCE TO CODE OF ETHICS
Every CFIN member must strictly adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility as currently published and must adhere to any revision to the code of Ethics. Every CFIN member must not be convicted of a criminal offence before and after receiving certification.
 
6.    OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT
As Digital Forensics is a new and growing field in West Africa, there are plenty of opportunities for employment as forensic examiners in Law-Enforcement Agencies, Law Firms, Anticorruption Agencies, Private Investigation, Litigation Support as Expert Witness, Forensic Laboratory Examiners, Data recovery Experts, Cyber Security Consultants etc. Our Members can also gain employment opportunities abroad based on qualifications and experience.
 
7.  SOME OF OUR ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE 2008:
  • First Induction Ceremony was held at ECOWAS Conference Centre on 23rd September, 2010 with inductees from five (5) West African countries;
  • Held the 2nd Induction Ceremony on 20th April, 2012;
  • Held the 3rd Induction Ceremony on 29th November, 2012; and had since been holding annual and special inductions.
  • Supported legislations such as the Bill to Amend the Evidence Act; and the Cybercrime and Information Protection Agency Bill; and the harmonization of the Cybersecurity Bill.
  • Carried out extensive Awareness Campaigns to educate the public on Digital and Computer Forensics;
  • Presented Lectures at the Defense Headquarters on Cyber Warfare (twice).  
Our members participated in Election Tribunal cases as Expert Witnesses since 2011;
  • Participated in the Workshop on Cybersecurity Legislation organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in October 2011;
  • Participated in several international conferences on Forensics and Cyber Security, and connected CFIN to international forensics organisations;
  • Organized the First West African Digital and Computer Forensics Conference in Abuja from 18th - 20th April, 2012
  • Organized, in collaboraion with First Digital & Techno-Law Forensics Co. Ltd., the 2013 International Digital & Mobile Forensics Conference, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria, from Wednesday to Friday, 16th - 18th October, 2013; and since then has annually, in collaboration with First Digital & Techno-Law Forensics Co. Ltd. an annual International Digital, Mobile and Computer Forensics Conference and Training Expo in October every year, to date.  The 2020 edition was held from Wednesday-Friday, 23rd-25th September 2020 as an Online, Virtual, Live event.  Annoucement about our 2021 International Conference shall be made soon after 30th October 2021.          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
The Institute has certified members from the following organizations in Nigeria:
  • Nigeria Police Force
  • DSS
  • EFCC
  • Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)
  • Nigerian Navy
  • Nigerian Army
  • Nigerian Air Force
  • Defence HQ
  • Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA)
  • Fed Ministry of Justice - Prosecutors
  • National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
  • ECOWAS Commission
  • Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
  • Access Bank PLC
  • Diamond Bank PLC
  • Heritage Bank PLC
  • Federal Ministry of Finance
  • Bauchi State Government
  • NAPTIP
  • Forensics Laboratory, Oshodi, Lagos
  • Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)
  • National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
  • Nigeria Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC)
  • Nigeria Army Corps of Millitary Police (NACMP)
  • Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS)
  • Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
  • Ministry of Science and Technology
  • Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
  • Nigeria Immigration Service,
  • Nigeria Customs Service,
  • Lagos State University,
  • Caleb University, and others.

For further Inquiries please contact:
Chairman, Certification Board
Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN)
D/L: +234-802-320-8780
Email: chairman@cfinonline.org or info@cfin.org or
computerforensicsinstitute@gmail.com
National Secretariat:
Computer Forensics Institute, Nigeria (CFIN)
Block D15, Flat 3, 24th Street
Off Fifth Avenue, Games Village. Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Tel: +234-803-853-3157
Email:  computerforensicsinstitute@gmail.com
https://cfinonline.org


(c) Digital & Computer Forensics Associates, 2008-2020
Secretariat:
Block D15, Flat 3
24th Street, Off Fifth Avenue
Games Village
Abuja, FCT
Nigeria
Tel.: +234-803-853-3157
Email: computerforensicsnigeria@gmail.com
       info@cfinonline.org
COMPUTER FORENSICS INSTITUTE, NIGERIA (CFIN)
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