Academy History
On Feb. 10, 1998, the Deputy Secretary of Defense signed Defense Reform Initiative Directive (DRID) #27 that directed the Air Force to establish a joint DoD Computer Forensics Laboratory (DCFL) and the Defense Computer Investigations Training Program (DCITP). DCITP was created to provide specialized, standardized, and quality training to all computer crime investigators, computer forensic field examiners and other DoD elements that must ensure DoD information systems are secure from unauthorized use and criminal and fraudulent activities.
DCITP began to develop courses as soon as it was created and presented its first class, Introduction to Computer Search and Seizure in September 1998. The current training facility located in Maryland opened its doors in 1999 with five classrooms.
In 2001, the Deputy Secretary of Defense signed a policy letter that created the DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3) which would incorporate DCITP, DCFL, and the Defense Cyber Crime Institute. In October 2006, DCITP changed its name to the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy (DCITA) as directed by the DC3 Director. Today, DCITA’s curriculum has expanded to 21 courses that range from three days to two weeks in length.
DCITA was awarded national accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE) in September 2007. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the Council’s mission is to assure quality training in career and technical development. DCITA joins more than 400 institutional members accredited by COE including post-secondary public technical institutes, specialized military and national defense schools, private career schools, corporate and industry units, and federal agency institutions.