Instructors

Heather Mahalik is leading the forensic effort as a Principal Forensic Scientist for ManTech CARD. Heather's extensive experience in digital forensics began in 2002. She is currently a senior instructor for the SANS Institute and is the course lead for FOR585: Advanced Smartphone Forensics. Most of Heather's experience includes:

• Smartphone and Windows forensics: including acquisition, analysis, vulnerability discovery, malware analysis, application reverse engineering, and manual decoding
• Forensic instruction on mobile, smartphone, computer and Mac forensics in support of the U.S. Government, LE, and commercial level
• Co-author of Practical Mobile Forensics (1st and 2nd editions), currently a best seller from Pack't Publishing
• Technical editor for Learning Android Forensics from Pack't Publishing

Previously, Heather led the mobile device team for Basis Technology, where she focused on mobile device exploitation in support of the U.S. Government. She also worked as a forensic examiner at Stroz Friedberg and the U.S. State Department Computer Investigations and Forensics Lab, where she focused her efforts on high profiles cases. Heather maintains www.smarterforensics.com where she blogs and hosts work from the digital forensics community.

Listen to Heather's latest webcasts:

To trust or not to trust: The relationship between you & your mobile forensics tool

iPhone Forensics - Separating the Facts from Fiction. A Technical Autopsy of the Apple/FBI Debate

Smartphone Forensics Moves Fast. Stay Current or You May Miss Relevant Evidence!

Student Quotes

"I have been working with phones since 2009, and Heather very casually showed me how much I don't know. Excellent!" Harbin Combee- MPDC

"I am learning so much, it's exciting. Heather is an excellent instructor. Very smart. Knows her stuff." Tris Matthews - Goodhue County Sheriff's Office 

"Heather is a great instructor. The only downside will be not being able to bring her back to my office so we can pick her brain every day!" C. McCollom - Clark County Sheriff's Office