The National Computer Forensics Institute is a partnership between the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, State of Alabama and the Alabama District Attorney’s Association to train state and local law enforcement, judges and prosecutors in digital evidence, network intrusion, and computer/mobile device forensic issues.
Active full-time employees (law enforcement, prosecutors or judges) of a state or local government agency.
Law enforcement course can be applied for by contacting your local United States Secret Service field office. Prosecutors and judges can apply either by contacting the NCFI directly or by contacting your local USSS field office.
No, course attendees are selected from all nominations. The NCFI receives many more nominations that we have available seats.
You will be notified as soon as selections are made, which is typically at least 6 weeks prior to the course start date.
Hoover is located 10 miles south of Birmingham, Alabama. The NCFI is located within the Hoover Public Safety Center at 2020 Valleydale Road, Suite 209, Hoover, Alabama 35244.
Suite 209. Enter the building at the entrance marked "Municipal Court". From the lobby go to the second floor and to the end of the corridor.
The NCFI will handle booking and paying for your flight from your nearest major airport to the Birmingham International Airport (BHM). An e-mail will be sent prior to your departure with your reservation information. The airline you will be flying with is determined by the federal contract for flights between your city and Birmingham.
Once accepted to the course let us know if you wish to drive in lieu of flying to Birmingham. We would need to submit a cost comparison. You could only be reimbursed up to what the cost of your flight would be. Only mileage to the NCFI on the first day and returning to your home on the last day would be reimbursed. Please note that if you drive a government vehicle as opposed to your personal vehicle, you cannot receive reimbursement for mileage.
For attendees the NCFI will pay for travel expenses to and from the facility, hotel, training costs, laundry (for multiple week courses only), provide a per diem for food, and provide equipment and software (for certain courses).
You will not be provided with reimbursement for coverage of your shift will away.
The NCFI can reimburse for airline baggage fees and extra baggage fees (please keep receipts), but not for overweight baggage fees.
Any costs associated with parking and transportation from your home to your home airport as well as from your home airport to your home will be the responsibility of you or your agency.
Note: if you work or live within 50 miles of the NCFI in Hoover, AL, you cannot be provided lodging, per diem or transportation costs.
You will be reimbursed for cab fare from the Birmingham airport to your hotel, airline baggage fees, laundry (in multiple week courses), hotel parking (if driving a personal vehicle), and a per diem for food. We typically reimburse via direct deposit to your bank account. You will be contacted by us prior to arrival to obtain your bank routing information. You should receive your reimbursement deposit during the period you are attending the course.
If you opt not to utilize the direct deposit form, you will still be reimbursed; however, that reimbursement will be paid via check that could take up to 90 days after the training for you to receive.
As equipment is often updated, you can obtain a list of the course equipment once you have been notified of your selection.
No, the equipment is assigned but remains accountable property of the USSS.
Dress for the classroom is casual, but please avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts. The classroom temperature can often be cool, you may want to consider bringing a light jacket.
Use of tobacco products and eating in the classroom is prohibited. Drinks with lids are allowed. Firearms are not allowed in the classrooms, however, gun lockers are provided on site.
You are welcome to bring your laptop computer to the course, but it is not necessary. You will have a computer available to you at your classroom desk.
Each course is made up of 24 students (except the network intrusion course which is 16).
The courses are taught by a combination of nationally recognized subject matter experts and USSS agents. Each course is proctored by a current practitioner of the subject.
Courses that include issued equipment do have a test that you would be required to pass prior to being assigned the equipment.
Typically classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm. The times are subject to vary.
There will be a shuttle service provided for transportation to and from the NCFI, as well as for lunch and dinner. Your bus will shuttle you from your hotel to a restaurant each evening, usually around 6:00 and return back by 9:00 (at the latest). For courses of multiple weeks, the bus will be available on weekends. The bus will also be used to transport students back to the airport when departing.
We use multiple national brand hotels located near our facility (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, etc.). You will be provided with your own room. Multiple week courses will typically stay at hotels with a kitchenette. Your hotel room will be paid directly by the NCFI.
