UPM Cybersecurity Department Honored by Visit to Madinah Criminal Evidence Administration

I am honored to have been part of an outstanding academic-government collaboration initiative organized by the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) of the University of Prince Mugrin (UPM).

Students and faculty members from the Cybersecurity & Forensic Computing (CSFC) Department were hosted at the Criminal Evidence Administration of Madinah Public Security — one of the Kingdom's leading forensic investigation authorities — for an immersive field visit designed to connect academic knowledge with real-world security practice.

What Participants Explored

During the visit, participants had hands-on access to the Cybercrime and Digital Forensics Laboratory, gaining direct exposure to:

• Digital evidence collection, preservation, and chain-of-custody procedures
• Forgery detection and document tampering investigation techniques
• Professional tools and technologies used in active forensic investigations
• Best practices in cybersecurity incident response and forensic analysis

Bridging Academia and the Job Market

This visit is a flagship initiative under UPM's commitment to equipping students with market-ready competencies. By experiencing the operational environment of a government forensic authority first-hand, students gain a perspective that no classroom can fully replicate — the urgency, precision, and responsibility that define professional digital forensics.

The collaboration reflects the University's strategic vision of building effective communication channels between academia and government security institutions, ensuring graduates enter the workforce prepared, skilled, and confident.

Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere appreciation to:

• The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) of UPM for organizing and facilitating this exceptional visit
• The Criminal Evidence Department of Madinah Public Security for their warm hospitality, openness, and commitment to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals

Initiatives like this are exactly what transform good students into great professionals. We look forward to deepening this partnership.