Membership

As a holder of a master’s degree in criminalistics who entered the world of digital forensics without a formal IT background, my professional journey has been anything but straightforward. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, where digital forensics was for many years underdeveloped compared to other countries, I had to find my own way, learning from online resources, forums, documentation, and whatever else I could access.

Without a formal mentor or structure, I often wondered whether I was heading in the right direction. And then I discovered IACIS.

IACIS wasn’t just a training. It was a validation of everything I had taught myself over the years. It brought me new knowledge, clear methodologies, and most importantly, a deep confidence that I not only could do this work, but that I was doing it the right way.

But IACIS is much more than an organization that delivers training and issues certifications. It is a community of exceptional people, a true family in every sense of the word. A family that shares knowledge, supports one another, and raises the overall standards of our profession. The people I met there are not just colleagues, they are friends who understand the challenges of this field like no one else can.

That confidence didn’t stay confined to my professional life. It carried over into my personal life as well. With less stress, more clarity, and a stronger sense of purpose, I was able to better separate work from home, allowing me to be more present and calmer in my everyday life and ultimately, to keep doing this incredible job.

It’s also important to mention that I became the first and only Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. A milestone that I proudly carry not just as a personal achievement, but as a symbol of what is possible even when the odds are not in your favor.

That’s why IACIS, to me, is not just about the certification. It is a community, a recognition, and a turning point that helped me become the forensic examiner I am today and the person I strive to be

Coming from an accounting background conducting financial investigations, my transition to digital forensics seven (7) years ago was quite a daunting challenge. Having no formal qualification in the information technology space prior to the transition, meant that I had to quickly and effectively grasp fundamental aspects on how computers and the various operating systems worked and then to understand

how digital forensics can assist us as law enforcement, to obtain evidence from these computers. I became a member of IACIS back in 2016, and in 2017 I was fortunate enough to attend

the BCFE course in Maitland, Florida along with my colleague, which was the beginning of an amazing journey with IACIS and one that helped lay the foundation for my career in digital forensics. For a “newbie” in the field, the BCFE course was the ultimate starter pack and covered all areas that I felt I was

lacking in, including a deep dive into the Windows OS, as well as the procedural and legal matters to consider in the field. A year later I obtained the coveted CFCE certification and following that the ICMDE, both of which were challenging but at the same time extremely fulfilling when finally accomplished. For me personally, the greatest asset of the IACIS is the people, both the elected officials and its members, who go out of their way to assist, and share

advise and tactics via the IACIS listserv when someone in the field has hit a stumbling block in their investigation. This to me is the one reason why I make it a point to

continue to be a member of IACIS, regardless of what question you pose or at what time of day you post it, you can be rest assured that someone will respond to you to try and help resolve your issue. I am forever grateful to be a member of IACIS, and thank those that have been working behind the scenes through its history to get it to where it is now.

I joined the Belgian Computer Crime Unit many years ago and attended the IACIS BCFE Class in 2007, which was pivotal for my career. After becoming an IACIS instructor in 2008, I faced a challenging case involving unfamiliar technology and quickly received crucial support through the IACIS network.

Today, I remain active with IACIS as a Training Committee member and serve as International Training Manager for a global company.

Training is essential for interpreting digital evidence. IACIS significantly changed my perspective on data and its importance as evidence in criminal cases.

I began my journey in digital forensics in 2008, and even after conducting numerous investigations, I still felt uncertain about confidently presenting technical findings. That changed in 2017 when I attended the IACIS BCFE course. It was a turning point — I finally gained a deep understanding of Windows forensics and the foundational principles that every digital forensic examiner should acquire. Earning my CFCE was just the beginning; I later achieved my CAWFE and ICMDE certifications and became a Peer Review Coach to help guide the next generation of CFCEs. IACIS has been instrumental in shaping both my confidence and my career in digital forensics.