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The IACIS Advanced Windows Forensic Examiner (“AWFE”) Training Program is a 36-hour course of instruction offered over five (5) consecutive days. It is designed to provide students with a detailed study of the Windows Operating System (“OS”). Through a variety of lectures and instructor-led and independent hands-on practical exercises, students will study the Windows operating system in far greater detail and with far more specificity regarding critical areas of forensic focus than what can be accomplished in the more generalized overview perspective of the BCFE Training Program.
With a recent overhaul of the AWFE Program, trainers will focus on the current version of Windows 11 with a brief look at Windows 10 when required. The training is focused on delivering five scenarios over five days and includes the following case types: an advanced user hiding data, fraud, IP theft, remote intrusion, and CSAM scenarios. At the conclusion of this course, students will have a clearer understanding of various operating system artifacts, why they present as they do, and how knowledge of these artifacts can play a significant role in the forensic and investigative process.
The AWFE Training Program champions a forensic tool-independent approach to learning. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of the underlying subject matter than might be afforded in other programs, which are designed to complete a particular task or view/extract a particular artifact.
The AWFE Training Program is designed to build on and expand the students’ existing forensic knowledge and skillset and is not an entry-level class. It is highly recommended that you have received training such as BCFE (or equivalent) prior to attending the AWFE Class. Having completed the CFCE would be encouraged.
The AWFE Training Program will assist students in preparing for their CAWFE certification. However, the training program is not taught to the certification. Instead, students are recommended to take notes, participate, and make the most of the classroom environment. The material provided to students may be used as part of the certification process; however, reading outside of the material provided is advisable and will benefit the student in obtaining a deeper understanding. For instance, we may explore in detail the inner workings of an artifact as it relates to Windows 11, but we may not do the same for older versions of Windows other than to potentially call out specific differences. Students are therefore encouraged to explore the current version of Windows and the prior version to ensure maximum exposure and learning is achieved.
