Ferris State Faraday Lab

Welcome to Our Unique Faraday Lab at Ferris State University’s Center for Cybersecurity and Data Science 

Unlocking Innovation and Collaboration 

The Center for Cybersecurity and Data Science is proud to host a state-of-the-art digital forensics Faraday Lab, a unique facility designed to foster groundbreaking research and innovative learning.  

Faraday Labs plays a crucial role in digital forensic investigations, particularly in ensuring the integrity and security of electronic evidence. Our Faraday Lab is a dedicated space for digital investigations and provides students and researchers with unparalleled opportunities to engage in hands-on experimentation and e-discovery. 

1. Electromagnetic Shielding 

Faraday Labs are designed to block electromagnetic fields, which are essential for protecting digital devices from external signals that could alter data during forensic analysis. This shielding prevents: 

• Remote Access
  • Ensures that devices like smartphones or laptops cannot connect to networks or be remotely accessed during examination. 
• Data Integrity
  • Minimizes the risk of data being modified or corrupted by outside interference. 

2. Secure Evidence Handling 

• The strictly controlled environment of a Faraday Lab provides a secure location for the handling and examining digital evidence. This includes: 
  • Isolation of Devices
    • Devices can be analyzed in a secure setting, preventing unauthorized access and maintaining chain of custody. 
  • Controlled Conditions
    • • Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can be regulated to protect sensitive electronic components. 
  • Evidence Locker
    • Tightly controlled, secured area where digital evidence is stored. 

3. Forensic Imaging 

Faraday Labs facilitates the creation of forensic images—exact bit-by-bit copies of digital storage devices. This process is crucial for: 

• Preservation of Original Evidence
  • Forensic analysts can ensure that the original evidence remains unaltered by working with copies rather than original devices. 
• Comprehensive Analysis
  • Analysts can perform various tests and analyses on the forensic image without risking the integrity of the original data. 

4. Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration

Faraday Labs often serve as collaborative spaces for digital forensic experts, law enforcement, and legal professionals. This collaboration enhances investigations by: 

• Shared Resources

  • Teams can utilize advanced tools and technologies in a single, secure location. 
• Interdisciplinary Expertise
  • Combining knowledge from various fields leads to more thorough investigations and improved outcomes. 

Empowering Students Through Experiential Learning

• Hands-On Experience
  • Students gain invaluable practical skills by working directly in the Faraday Lab, conducting experiments, and engaging with the latest technologies. 
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Our lab encourages collaboration across disciplines, enabling students from engineering, physics, and computer science to work together on innovative projects. 
• Research Opportunities
  • Students have the chance to participate in groundbreaking research, contributing to real-world applications and advancements in technology. 

Collaboration with State and Federal Agencies 

Our Faraday Lab's mission is to be a  resource for collaboration with state and federal agencies. Working closely with government organizations on incident investigations and research toward addressing critical challenges in cybersecurity investigations and digital forensic research. 

Value for students & our community 

• Cutting-Edge Research
  • Our lab is at the forefront of technological innovation, contributing to advancements that have real-world impacts. 
• Enhanced Learning Environment
  • Students benefit from a rich, immersive learning experience that prepares them for careers in science, engineering, and technology. 
• Community Engagement
  • By collaborating with government agencies, we address societal challenges, creating solutions that benefit our communities and beyond. 

VISION to shape the Future 

At Ferris State University’s Center for Cybersecurity and Data Science, our Faraday Lab's vision is to be more than just a high tech investigation and research facility;  our vision is to create a hub of innovation, collaboration, and learning. We invite you to explore the possibilities with us, whether you are a prospective student, a researcher, or an innovation partner. Together, we can drive advancements that shape the future! 

Contact us today to learn more about our program offerings, including our bachelor's degree program in Information Security and Intelligence, master's degree program in Information Security and Intelligence and our bachelor's degree programs Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as our certificate programs !