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FOR518: Mac and iOS Forensic Analysis and Incident Response

FOR518Digital Forensics and Incident Response
  • 6 Days (Instructor-Led)
  • 36 Hours (Self-Paced)
Course created by:
Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards
Register NowCourse Preview
FOR518: Mac and iOS Forensic Analysis and Incident Response
Course created by:
Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards
Register NowCourse Preview
  • GIAC iOS and macOS Examiner (GIME)

    Learn about certification

  • 36 CPEs

    Apply your credits to renew your certifications

  • In-Person, Virtual or Self-Paced

    Attend a live, instructor-led class at a location near you or remotely, or train on your time over 4 months

  • Intermediate Skill Level

    Course material is geared for cyber security professionals with hands-on experience

  • 23 Hands-On Lab(s)

    Apply what you learn with hands-on exercises and labs

Jump to:

Conduct detailed, in-depth analysis on raw data from Mac and iOS cases. Gain confidence in your forensic analysis and incident response skills with hands-on labs.

Featured Quote

FOR518 is a great course for forensics people and organizations that use Mac within their environments, and the labs were really engaging. Sarah is an expert in this field and a great instructor, and she's really responsive to our comments and questions.
Ali MemarziaGoogle

Course Overview

FOR518 is the first non-vendor-based Mac and iOS incident response and forensics course that focuses students on the raw data, in-depth detailed analysis, and how to get the most out of their Mac and iOS cases. The intense hands-on forensic analysis and incident response skills taught in the course will enable analysts to broaden their capabilities and gain the confidence and knowledge to comfortably analyze any Mac or iOS device. The course includes 23 hands-on labs.

What You’ll Learn

  • Understand macOS and iOS file systems and data layout
  • Explore cross-device Apple ecosystem for investigations (AirTags, VisionPro, Apple Watch, HomeKit)
  • Analyze usage patterns, app preferences, and personal settings
  • Correlate data and logs for timeline analysis
  • Investigate encrypted containers, FileVault, keychain, and Mac password cracking
  • Identify backups, disk images, connected devices, and communications (Messages, FaceTime, SSH, AirDrop)
  • Examine macOS metadata and app data (Spotlight, Time Machine, Safari, Mail)

Business Takeaways

  • Empower employees to investigate various crimes such as computer misuse, malicious device intrusions, corporate espionage, insider threats, and fraud.
  • Learn how various Apple data is stored and how to analyze using tool agnostic methods without the requirement for expensive commercial forensic tools.
  • Identify different forensic artifacts and nuances between the Apple platforms (macOS and iOS).
  • Understand the wealth of user related information that can show how a device was used or abused.
  • Learn the differences of performing forensics and security assessments when Apple devices are involved versus other industry-standard operating systems.

Meet Your Author

Sarah Edwards
Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards

Senior Instructor

Sarah Edwards is a pioneering force in Apple forensics, having revolutionized the field through the creation of APOLLO—an open-source tool that deciphers macOS and iOS pattern-of-life data.

Read more about Sarah Edwards

Course Syllabus

Explore the course syllabus below to view the full range of topics covered in FOR518: Mac and iOS Forensic Analysis and Incident Response.

Section 1Mac and iOS Essentials

This section introduces the student to Mac and iOS essentials such as acquisition, timestamps, logical file system, and disk structure. Acquisition fundamentals are the same with Mac and iOS devices, but there are a few tips and tricks that can be used to successfully collect Mac and iOS systems for analysis.

Topics covered

  • Apple Essentials, Device Security, Disks, and Volumes
  • macOS Acquisition Tools and Methods
  • iOS Acquisition Tools and Methods
  • Data Organization, Triage, and iCloud
  • Forensic Testing

Labs

  • Course Lab Setup
  • Disks and Volumes
  • Mount and Review Acquisitions
  • Triage
  • Forensic Testing

Section 2Log Analysis, User Data, and System Configuration

This section explores how system settings, configurations, and log analysis on macOS and iOS devices can reveal user activity and support forensic investigations.

Topics covered

  • Log Analysis
  • User Account
  • Network Device Configuration

Labs

  • Parsing System Logs
  • User Artifacts and Interface
  • Volumes, Printing, and System State
  • Network and Bluetooth

Section 3File Systems and Related Artifacts

This section provides an in-depth exploration of the Apple File System (APFS), examining its unique structures, artifacts, and forensic value through hands-on analysis and comparison with other file systems.

Topics covered

  • APFS Overview
  • Extended Attributes
  • Practical Queries
  • Document Versions Metadata
  • File System Events Store Database

Labs

  • Parsing APFS (Bonus)
  • Disk and Volume Artifacts
  • Extended Attributes
  • Spotlight
  • Document Versions and FSEvents

Section 4Application Data Analysis

This section delves into user data generated by native Apple applications, teaching students how to manually analyze key artifacts like emails, messages, photos, and location data to support forensic investigations.

Topics covered

  • Mach-O ExecutablesBrowser History and Cache
  • Messaging and Calling files
  • Notes, Photos, and Maps Analysis

Labs

  • Application Fundamentals
  • Safari and Wallet
  • Mail and Communication
  • Notes, Photos, Maps

Section 5Advanced Analysis Topics

This section covers advanced Apple-specific forensic topics, including pattern of life analysis, password cracking, malware detection, and various proprietary technologies like FindMy, Time Machine, and AirTags to support comprehensive investigations.

Topics covered

  • Pattern of Life
  • Cracking Passwords
  • Malware Examples and Firewall Settings
  • Other Apple Technology

Labs

  • Pattern of Life
  • Password Cracking
  • Malware and Live Response
  • One More Thing

Section 6Mac Forensics & Incident Response Challenge

In this final course section, students will put their new All-Things-Apple forensic skills to the test by running through a real-life scenario.

Topics covered

  • In-Depth File System Examination and Analysis
  • Advanced Computer Forensics Methodology
  • Metadata and Database Analysis
  • Volume and Disk Image Analysis
  • Analysis of Apple-specific Technologies

Things You Need To Know

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Course Schedule & Pricing

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OnDemand Course Access

When purchasing a live instructor-led class, add an additional 4 months of online access after your course. View pricing in the info icons below.

Filter by:
  • Location & instructor

    Virtual (OnDemand)

    Instructed by Sarah Edwards
    Date & Time
    OnDemand (Anytime)Self-Paced, 4 months access
    Course price
    $8,780 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    Self-Paced
  • Location & instructor

    Salt Lake City, UT, US & Virtual (live)

    Instructed by Lee Whitfield
    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    $8,780 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    Virtual
  • Location & instructor

    Tokyo, JP & Virtual (live)

    Instructed by Lee Whitfield
    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    $8,900 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    Virtual
  • Location & instructor

    Las Vegas, NV, US & Virtual (live)

    Instructed by Lee Whitfield
    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    $8,780 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    In-PersonVirtual
  • Location & instructor

    Prague, CZ & Virtual (live)

    Instructed by Sarah Edwards
    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    €8,230 EUR*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    In-PersonVirtual
  • Location & instructor

    Singapore, SG & Virtual (live)

    Instructed by Lee Whitfield
    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    $8,900 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    In-PersonVirtual
  • Location & instructor

    Coral Gables, FL, US & Virtual (live)

    Instructed by Sarah Edwards
    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    $8,780 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    In-PersonVirtual
  • Location & instructor

    La Jolla, CA, US & Virtual (live)

    Date & Time
    Fetching schedule..View event details
    Course price
    $8,780 USD*Prices exclude applicable local taxes
    Enrollment options
    In-PersonVirtual
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