EH-Net

I remember looking into vendor specific forensic certs such as Encase's EnCe and FTK's ACE but both had some prerequisites.  I'm not sure when FTK's changed but apparently it's free and no prerequisites.  On there website (/www.accessdata.com/aceProcess.html) It says "No Prerequisites, No Cost..." The process used to say (6) months of forensic work, a valid copy of FTK's products (which now you could just use demo's) and taken one of their prerequisite courses to receive your ACE.  Of course, the catch is that you have to keep up the certification with taking a class after a year but for that first year you can still say you're ACE... just a heads up for anyone looking.

Wow, that's pretty cool. They must be trying to get more certified people out there to push their product. Wonder how long it'll be free.. Nice find!

Maybe there are throwing some bones out there because FTK 2.0 sucks and no a single soul is using :)  I would imagine that they are getting their butts kicked right now in sales.

Ketchup, I'm with you.  FTK 2.0 really is a bear of a program to use.  I'm not saying that EnCase is all that, but there's nothing I can do in FTK 2.0 that I can't do with an assortment of open source and freeware tools (albeit not "forensically sound").  Still, for the average user who doesn't need to present a case in court....

Okay, after visiting the site, I agree.  This looks like a marketing promotion for their training.  Does anyone know how much the training costs (particularly the online delivery)?  Has anyone been to any of their courses?  I'd be interested in the Vista Forensics (if it is decent quality).  It scares me though when a company won't put the price on the web site...

I think that consensus among forensics people is that EnCase (Guidance) training is better than AccessData's training.  I think that the industry would rather see you with an EnCE cert.  I can't speak from personal experience though. 

Dont suppose they have a free copy of FTK to do it with, lol.
Its been a while since I did my EnCase training, I guess free is free though :)

@Ketchup ... I'm not sure on individual training courses but they have been advertising an all access pass which means any class (other than the ACE and mobile forensics) for something around $4-5,000USD when I asked.  They said I could take any course, any number of times.

@BillV .... I don't see why you couldn't use the demo version, only thing that might not work for the cert in demo mode would be PRTK I assume.

Has someone already started this and can say if it is really free or if it is any good?

Hmmm... just got an email saying that I had registerd. No other details.

I registered, got a confirmation email a day later with a link download to the image file and instructions to visit a test site with a passcode in order for me to register and take the test.  I just took the test, says I passed with the results so I'll keep you guys posted after a recruiter contacts me if it all goes legit.

Hoe hard/easy was the exam? Ive played around for a few hours with FTK 1 at uni but thats about it.

Not bad at all... I have prior experience with FTK but I would just say to look over their free study guide on their website and you shouldn't have a big problem.

I cant even get the software to run!

I downloaded the ISO image, have installed parts 1, 2 and 3 but part 4 errors.

It looks for a USB key when I run it.

Does anyone know of any easier to run demo of this?