DFRWS 2004 Welcome Letter
Dear 2004 Attendee:
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to DFRWS 2004. Since the
inception of DFRWS four years ago, there has been a growing interest in the scientific
foundations and application of digital forensics. This has been evidenced by the variety
emerging texts written by professionals who are committed to the field, and bolstered by the
offering of refereed scientific journals devoted to digital evidence and forensic analysis. New
list servers and other online references have proven a valuable resource for collaboration,
debate, and dissemination of ideas. Together, we have made considerable progress toward
establishing a true foundation for this mixture of science, engineering, and art called Digital
Forensics. But, there is still much yet to be done.
DFRWS's small but steadily growing community of interest remains committed to
establishing this field of study as a recognized forensic science. We will continue to focus on
issues related to experimental research in academia, industry, and government, so that
techniques and tools will develop as product of sound processes rather than from urgency
alone. That being said, we will also endeavor to stay in sync with the current and future needs
of our practitioner and DoD friends with a definable, capability-based research agenda.
Starting this year, watch for DFRWS mini-workshops on focused, challenging topics such as
remote network forensic investigation. These smaller workshops will permit a more thorough
look at some of the more difficult, multi-faceted topics that we would otherwise not be able to
explore in the usual format.
This year's event is important from two related perspectives. First, we hope to give
shape to the foundations of our discipline by revisiting the much needed Framework for Digital
Forensics. Lead by a Keynote address from Mark Pollitt and an international sampling of
speakers, we will hear the latest advanced concepts for digital and multi-domain
investigations. At the other end of the spectrum, we will begin to address the future of Digital
Forensic Analysis with near real-time investigations that move from the brick-and-mortar crime
lab to the virtual scene. We will hear from Lance Spitzner in his Keynote on Honeynets and
their forensic potential, followed up by talks on other challenge areas cyber investigators are
sure to face. In addition to this research oriented agenda we also realize that more practical
interest must be addressed. Day three promises to do just that with 5 additional presentations
covering miscellaneous topics in Digital Forensics from steganography to reuse of investigative
information. All in all there is something here for most every interest.
So, again, I welcome and invite you to roll up your sleeves to listen, learn, discuss,
debate, contribute, collaborate, and most importantly, get to know the other motivated
professionals working with you for the next two and one half days.
Sincerely,
Chet Maciag, DR-III
ARFL Cyber Operations/Forensic Programs