Introduction to Digital Forensics & Cybercrime

This unit covers the foundational concepts of digital forensics — what it is, why it matters, and the principles that govern every investigation. It walks through the core goals and rules that keep digital evidence trustworthy, along with an explanation of cybercrime and how it connects to forensic work. The notes break down the different branches of digital forensics (covering computers, networks, databases, cloud, IoT, and mobile devices) and explain how each applies to real-world scenarios. A structured overview of the investigation process is included, showing how cases move from initial discovery through to final reporting. The unit closes with a look at where digital forensics is applied across public and private sectors. Great for building a strong conceptual base before moving into forensic models and evidence handling in later units.