DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge

About the Challenge

What is the DC3 Challenge?

The DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge (DC3 Challenge) is a public, online, and international challenge held annually by the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Crime Center (DC3).  The DC3 Challenge is a call to the digital forensics community to pioneer new investigative tools, techniques, and methodologies. It encourages innovation from a broad range of individuals, teams, and institutions to provide technical solutions for computer forensic examiners in the lab as well as in the field.  Supported under 10 U.S.C. § 2374 as a STEM initiative, the DC3 Challenge is one of DC3’s initiatives to advance the digital forensic community by:

• Addressing the shortage of cyber professionals
• Strengthening professional standards
• Establishing relationships within the Digital Forensics Community
• Resolving issues facing the Digital Forensics Community
• Developing new tools, techniques, and methodologies for the Digital Forensic Community

What is the 2012 DC3 Challenge?

In its 7th annual year, the 2012 DC3 Challenge has over 20 different progressive-level exercises ranging from basic digital forensics to advanced tool development. These exercises are designed to be completed independently from one another. 

Throughout the 10 1/2 month contest starting on 15 Dec each year, teams can register and submit their solutions. Regardless of registration date, all final submissions are due before the following 2 Nov.  The DC3 Challenge requires access to the Internet, use of open-source, custom, and commercial tools, and critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem solving skills to play. 

Teams solve the DC3 Challenge on their own and submit their solutions back to the DC3 Challenge Team to be graded.  Final scores are announced on 3 Dec. 

What prizes are available in the 2012 DC3 Challenge?

2012 DC3 Challenge prizes are awarded by our DC3 Challenge sponsors, based on the team's leaderboard ranking on their overall affiliations.  Team member's eligibility, affiliation, and citizenship determine the team's prize eligibility.  Prizes from DC3 Challenge sponsors include trips to the annual DoD Cyber Crime Conference, tours of cyber crime facilities and academies, official award recognitions, grants, training, and more.

How can I play?

• Review the rules to play in the 2012 DC3 Challenge. 
• Sign up before 1 Nov 2012 as a team of 1 to 4 people. 
• Once approved, you will be provided a login to download the DC3 Challenge exercises. 
• Submit your solutions for individual exercises to the DC3 Challenge team before 2 Nov 2012 as instructed in your approval email. 
• Submissions will be graded and winners announced on 3 Dec 2012 on the 2012 DC3 Challenge website.

Links

More about DC3

More about the 2012 DC3 Challenge

Maryland Challenge Category

Apply to the 2012 DC3 Challenge

DC3 CSI Cyber Self-Assessment