Roberts Wesleyan College officially opened its new Digital Forensics Lab, located in the Chesbro Building on campus. The new laboratory will serve as a research space for Roberts Wesleyan students and private sector clients, such as corporate security teams, private lawyers and public institutions. Specifically constructed and equipped with the latest hardware, software and digital technologies, the state-of-the-art forensic lab will assist clients with research and services related to forensic data extraction and recovery, forensic imaging and cybersecurity needs such as virus and malware scanning.
The Digital Forensics Lab is affiliated with the college’s Justice & Security Institute (JSI), which is part of Roberts Wesleyan College’s Community Institutes, and provides targeted threat assessment training and consultation services to local and regional business and organizations. Joseph Testani, new director of the JSI at Roberts Wesleyan appointed in January 2019, will oversee the laboratory and its services. Testani has extensive experience in investigating and managing criminal and national security matters with a focus on counterterrorism, having served more than 32 years as an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Rochester, Boston and Philadelphia.
"Advancements in technology have made us more productive but have also created unique and constantly evolving cyber security challenges,” said Testani. “The vast majority of criminal activity and cyber threats use the latest technology and leave behind digital evidence, which can be found on computer hard drives, smart phones, voicemail, cameras, smart watches and other electronic devices. We had a vision to create a state-of-the-art digital forensics lab to serve customers such as corporate security, private lawyers and public institutions with digital forensics investigative services. We’re excited to open this lab to our students and the greater community to help them overcome these unique challenges.”
Additional training sessions related to internet safety, basic cybersecurity practices, the dark web and policy development are also available and administered by industry professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the field. The lab is adaptable to different levels of expertise and will also provide rich experiences for undergraduate students at Roberts Wesleyan to explore in-depth, real-life lab assignments and internship opportunities related to digital forensics work.
Republished courtesy of Roberts Wesleyan College.