Do you think you have control over all your valuable assets, including trillions of dollars of transactions happening all around the year? If yes, then I am sure you must have developed a sophisticated and multi-faced approach to cyber-security in advance and if no, then you must consider developing one. With the era of digitization, cybercrime is increasing at a rapid rate. After all, there are tons of high school students hacking into systems in their spare time and most of the current attacks are initiated through such gimmicks.
Computer Forensics is a highly specialized area where investigators are charged for uncovering or fighting cyber crime for law enforcement agencies. These professionals spend most of their time working on computers, either in an office or digital laboratory setting. A computer forensics expert is mostly meant to work on digital artifacts such as computer systems, hard drives, CD’s and several other storage devices, electronic documents and files like emails, JPEG images, etc.
Job Description
Like I said before, a computer forensics investigator is a trained professional who works with law enforcement agencies as well as private firms to retrieve all the missing information from the computers or any other electronic device. Being an analyst, you need to work within the law enforcement and he or she can also be tested the security of a private company’s information system. In addition to this, as a computer forensics expert, you also need to carry the excellent working knowledge of all aspects of the world of computers. And if you are seriously thinking about making a career in this field, then always remember that patience and the willingness to work long hours is well suited for this position.
Job Duties
During any criminal investigation, an analyst recovers and examines data from computers and electronic devices in order to use the data as evidence in criminal prosecutions. In case of any damage to the equipment, the computer forensics expert should be capable enough to dismantle and rebuild the system in order to recover the lost data.
When all this is done, you need to write up the technical report detailing how the evidence was discovered and all steps were taken during the retrieval process.
How To Make A Career In Computer Forensics
Step 1- Gain a degree
In order to become an investigator, you should at least have a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. More and more colleges are offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the specialties such as specialties of Computer Forensics where you can gain skills needed in both the investigation and computer use.
Step 2- Find a job
Computer Forensics jobs can be found in all levels of law enforcement agencies. Starting from smaller agencies such as city police departments with larger ones like homeland security offices, National security agency, will have a growing need for these investigations. So approach them and get a job.
Step 3- Advance your career with experience
Now basically there are two ways of learning, once you can learn by learning and secondly, you can learn by doing. It’s time to explore the second way, i.e. advance your career by practicing computer forensics investigation. Moreover, you can even start your own consulting agency or private practices.
Julia Mat