Collaboration with the security company Agenda Risk gives students at Noroff University College practical experience with real investigative work - before completing their studies.

Students in the Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) programme at Noroff University College are given the opportunity in their third year to move beyond controlled laboratory environments and into professional investigative settings. Industry collaborations with companies such as Agenda Risk give students the chance to contribute to ongoing work within digital forensics and cyber investigations.

Students gain valuable hands-on experience by working side by side with industry professionals on real digital and cyber-related investigations. The placement forms part of an elective course for third-year DFIR students.

- Digital forensics is a field where precision, documentation, and technical expertise are critical. While classroom learning provides the foundation, understanding how investigations function in real-world environments is an equally important part of becoming industry-ready, says Veronica Schmitt, Programme Lead in Digital Forensics and Incident Response.

From academic theory to real investigations

The work placement is integrated into an elective course and designed to connect academic learning with real investigative practice.

Before entering the placement, students already have a strong foundation in forensic methodology, evidence handling, and investigative processes. This allows them to contribute meaningfully from an early stage.

– Digital forensics is not just about tools. It is about producing evidence that is reliable, reproducible, and defensible. The work placement allows students to operate in environments where every action must be justified and documented, says Iain Sutherland, Professor of Digital Forensics and Head of Research at Noroff University College.

According to Sutherland, the transition from academic exercises to evidential responsibility becomes an important learning experience for students.

Working alongside industry professionals

On the industry side, the collaboration is led by Thomas Mehlum, who heads digital forensics, data reconstruction, and cyber investigation services at Agenda Risk.

With more than 20 years of investigative experience across civil and criminal cases, Mehlum gives students direct insight into how digital evidence is handled in real legal and investigative contexts.

– My primary motivation was to bridge the gap between academic theory and the practical realities of the industry. Digital forensics is an incredibly fast-paced field, and by partnering with Noroff University College, we gain access to fresh perspectives and students trained in current methodologies, says Thomas Mehlum.

He also highlights the growing need for qualified professionals within the field.

– We also view it as part of our responsibility to help shape the next generation of experts in a market facing a significant talent shortage.

Investigating real-world scenarios

During the placement, students work on a variety of investigative scenarios.

This includes corporate investigations involving financial crime and insider threats, as well as work connected to high-profile legal cases. Students gain experience acquiring and analysing data from mobile devices and workstations, while also examining deleted data across cloud-based and physical storage environments.

The experience pushes students beyond simply learning forensic tools.

– In high-pressure situations, it is tempting to jump to conclusions, but in digital forensics, documentation and traceability are everything. My best advice is to never hesitate to ask questions when in doubt and to constantly nurture your critical thinking skills, says Mehlum.

– Technology will always change, but a disciplined, methodical approach is your most reliable ally.

Building career-ready competence

The collaboration also creates value for both students and the company.

Students contribute with fresh perspectives while being mentored by experienced investigators in a professional environment.

– This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to identify and mentor potential future colleagues in a real-world setting. It also creates a dynamic learning culture internally, where our senior advisors stay sharp while guiding the students, says Mehlum.

Agenda Risk has also been impressed by the students’ technical capabilities.

– We have been impressed by the students’ technical proficiency with forensic tools and their ability to handle large datasets. Their ability to adapt to specialised software has been a major asset.

Industry collaboration as part of the learning experience

For Noroff University College, collaborations like this are an important part of ensuring that students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical competence.

– Strong industry partnerships are essential to ensuring that our students graduate with both the knowledge and professional competence required by the field. Initiatives like this demonstrate how higher education and industry can work together to create meaningful, career-ready learning experiences, says Emlyn Butterfield, Rector at Noroff University College.

The collaboration also reflects how the field itself continues to evolve.

Modern investigations increasingly involve large volumes of data, encryption, cloud systems, and AI-supported analysis.

– We are seeing a clear shift toward increased automation and the use of AI to manage the volume of data involved in modern cases. Cloud forensics and investigations involving encrypted services will become even more important going forward, says Mehlum.

– The role of a forensic investigator will require a seamless combination of legal understanding, privacy expertise, and technical analysis.

A bridge into the industry

Through collaborations with companies like Agenda Risk, students gain insight into how the industry actually operates while building practical skills that are directly relevant to future careers.

For students considering a future within cybersecurity and digital investigations, the opportunity to work with real cases and experienced professionals can provide valuable experience before entering the workforce.

Interested in Digital Forensics?

At Noroff University College, you can study Digital Forensics and Incident Response and gain hands-on experience with investigative methods, forensic tools, cybersecurity, and incident handling.

The programme combines academic knowledge with practical experience to prepare students for real-world investigative work.

Learn more about the programme and take the next step into cybersecurity and digital investigations.

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