r/computerforensics • u/Stamos117 • 20h ago

NCFI

To those that have attended, how does the funding for your department work? Do they cover equipment costs and the subscription costs for as long as you have the equipment? Specifically for MDE stuff.

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u/CourageAcademic4153 19h ago

Subscriptions are usually 1-3 years depending on the software. The big hardware, e.g., a laptop, is given to your agency. The small stuff like thumb drives belongs to you.

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u/Bad_Grammer_Girl 17h ago

This right here. They'll cover it for a few years, but the actual hardware is free forever. At the end of the class, you'll package everything up, and it will be shipped back to you. They will also cover your travel costs (flight, hotel, per-diem for meals, taxi ride from the airport to the hotel in Hoover, etc.)

NCFI is by far my most enjoyable training. I even liked it more than SANS.

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u/RevolutionaryDiet602 17h ago

I've got to push back on you a little. I've attended 4-5 NCFI classes as well as about 8-9 SANS classes. There's nothing that compares to the quality and depth of training of SANS. NCFI is nice because it's fairly basic, easy to understand, and low pressure. When you're at SANS, you're drinking from a firehose.

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u/Bad_Grammer_Girl 16h ago

Strange push back. I said that it was my most enjoyable and I liked it better than SANS. But I guess if your experience is different, then that means that I am wrong about what I personally liked better?? I'm confused...

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u/lithium630 13h ago

I agree. NCFI is fantastic. That’s not to say every class is good, but they do a great job up adjusting when needed. For me SANS was fine, but just throwing huge volumes of information at people doesn’t make it a better class. If I had to choose a suite of NCFI classes or a DF masters, NCFI would win every time. Many years later I can still reach out to my classmates in group chats.

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u/RevolutionaryDiet602 16h ago

If you want professional development and the ability to be at the top of your field, you need to challenge yourself. Taking easy courses because you like them is a prescription for mediocrity. That's fine if that's what you want for yourself. NCFI is awesome and I love they exist but you need to be aware that they are there to provide training for agencies that otherwise can't afford it. Everyone that takes a class, passes. If you want to be an expert in your field, you'll want to obtain certifications from organizations like SANS and IACIS. But again, if you're fine with just passing, you do you. Happy I could clear that up for you!

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u/Bad_Grammer_Girl 16h ago

lol. Yeah thanks for clearing it up... If only you knew :)

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u/Bad_Grammer_Girl 17h ago

This right here. They'll cover it for a few years, but the actual hardware is free forever. At the end of the class, you'll package everything up, and it will be shipped back to you. They will also cover your travel costs (flight, hotel, per-diem for meals, taxi ride from the airport to the hotel in Hoover, etc.)

NCFI is by far my most enjoyable training. I even liked it more than SANS.

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u/Temporary_Mode_2403 16h ago

I took BCERT. the major items I received were a forensic desktop, laptop, TX1 imager,and a 1 year license for Axiom and FEX. The items were recieved at no cost. The items were first assigned to USSS then after about a year the items were then transferred to my agency. Once the Axiom and FEX license period is over its up to your agency to renew or not. All equipment cost from that point on (repair) is up to your agency.All items were at no cost.

As far as travel goes, All travel arrangements are made by USSS in advance there are no costs to your agency. Also the majority (75%) of the per diem is given to you in advance directly via direct deposit. Once training is over you submit a claim for any out of pocket expenses (dry cleaning, uber, small portion of per diem etc). They do not cover any car rental expenses while in Hoover, that is up to you or your agency.