Computer Forensics Jobs

Computer Forensics Jobs 

If you're looking for a computer forensics job or are thinking about a computers forensic career or cyber forensics or getting a job in the computer forensics field there are a lot of computer forensics jobs available worldwide today. The demand for forensics personnel has reached an all time high due to the rise of Internet crimes, computer-related crimes and cyber crimes. There is a great need and many computer forensics investigator jobs, computer forensics analyst jobs, computer forensics examiner jobs and computer forensics specialist's jobs and job openings.  The demand will, only increase in the years to come.

Computer Forensics Job Skills  

Good knowledge of computer forensics software and tools and the Windows based operating system including networking and knowledge of MAC as well will be needed. Knowledge of computer hardware, SQL and VB, email server requirements electronic storage technology, EnCase Forensic toolkit helpful, knowledge of password cracking and file decryption software programming, electronic or forensic data recovery or script writing skills in more than one program language.  Having good verbal and written communication skills is needed too. 

If you're looking for a computer forensics job and have a forensics resume, have computer forensics certification and/or computer forensics degree and/or experience you should have no problem in getting the job you want in cyber forensics. If you're scouting out jobs in computer forensics prior to signing up for computer forensics training there is a lot you can learn about computer forensics as a career.  

Part of the fascination with computer forensics has come about through television shows such as (CSI) Crime Scene Investigation and CSI Miami, Bones, Criminal Minds and the NBC Dateline show with Chris Hansen where he exposes computer crimes against children.  There are many other types of cyber crimes involving hackers, buggers and corporate crimes.  

Police departments these days rely heavily on computer forensics experts and investigators to help them solve crimes. Most police departments have computer forensics investigators and specialists on staff. Computer forensics experts are needed and hired for jobs in law enforcement, military, FBI and other intelligence agencies, consulting, consulting as an expert witness, financial institutions, academic institutions, corporations and businesses, large and small.  There are thousands of job opportunities due to the high rate of computer, Internet and cyber crime. 

What is Computer Forensics? 

What is computer forensics? Computer forensics (also called digital forensics) is a branch of forensics and is the collection of and preservation of computer-related evidence that has been gathered for a computer forensics examiner or expert to analyze from computers and digital storage media. This computer evidence can be helpful in solving criminal cases, civil disputes and employer queries and lawsuits. 

There are also several sub-branches to computer forensics such as firewall forensics, network forensics, database forensics and mobile device forensics. 

What most people do not realize is there can be a lot of evidence on their computers. One may think they're deleting information but it's hard to get rid of data once it's inputted on a PC or Mac. Deleting rarely if ever really deletes the information. Computer forensics experts and investigators learn and know all the ways to retrieve or recover deleted information on a computer-- the ultimate in data recovery.  

There are some basic steps in using computer forensics: the preparation of the computer forensics investigator, then the collection of data, examination of the data, then analysis and then the reporting by the examiner. Each case requires the investigator, analyst or examiner to be trained in the specific kind of investigation at hand. 

Computer Forensics Job Description 

Computer forensics investigators - also called digital media analysts, digital forensic detectives or specialists help fight and solve crimes including crimes against children on the Internet and from damaged computer systems requiring data recovery, often from deleted information. 

Computers are scanned in special ways known by the computer forensics investigators to determine if they have been used for illegal or unlawful purposes or fraud. They use software- data mining tools to search recover and organize electronic information during the investigation. And again these computer forensics experts gain this knowledge during training, job experience and on the job learning and certification programs. Specialists also help recover data from all types of digital media (computers - PC and Mac, laptops, PDAs and their images, spreadsheets and other files stored on this media) so that it can be used in court to prosecute criminals.  It has helped solve many crimes. 

Computer forensics techniques: In legal situations computer forensics techniques are used to analyze computer systems in criminal cases usually computers that are owned by the defendants in the cases. And sometimes for people who are suing in civil cases; to recover specific data when there has been a software or hardware failure or crash; after a hacker or attacker has broken into a computer the analyst tires to figure out how it was broken into; to gather certain evidence for employers who suspect that an employee is using a computer inappropriately or even illegally; and finally to gather information about the computer systems function to debug, optimize performance and reverse engineer. 

Computer forensics investigators, examiners and specialists retrieve the needed information using computer forensics software and special training and write up reports based on what they've found.  This information is used in court and the computer forensics specialist may also have to testify as an expert witness about what data has been recovered. Sometimes computer forensics specialists work with private detectives or private investigators. 

Computer Forensics Salary Range 

The computer forensics salary range for computer forensic jobs -- computer forensics analysts, investigators or examiners has a broad range depending on who you're working for and depending on how much experience you have and what position you're applying for.  The federal government is the highest paying employer and among the lowest are state governments.  Wages can run from about $50,000 per year with little experience say up to one year or so.  With some experience you can make between $40,000 to $70,000 or so depending on the number of years and who your employer is.  If you have worked five to nine years or so can make between $60,000 and $94,000. For more than ten years experience you can receive a salary of $64,000 to $112,000 or so.  

These are just ball park figures based on past salaries and as the years go by they should increase significantly. Private companies' salaries could be much higher depending on the company.  The larger companies with a lot of employees pay more than the smaller companies.  Getting experience as a computer forensics analyst, examiner or investigator at a lower salary will make you eligible for the more experienced high paying jobs with the U. S. Government and private corporations. Private companies pay more than law enforcement agencies. Fifty percent of FBI jobs require computerforensics knowledge of applications. Other titles include: forensic team leader and bureau supervisor. 

Computer Forensics Consulting 

Many computer forensics experts are self-employed as consultants, charging large sums. They usually bill the client by the hour just like attorneys. They can charge $375 to $600 per hour because the work is so specialized and depending on the job they're doing.  They can save a company a lot of money.  Top security can be extremely important to large companies with expensive servers, work stations and routers. You can work for attorneys, other investigators, private investigators, litigation law firms, law enforcement government agencies corporate security, human resources departments and in civil or criminal proceedings both preliminary and as an expert witness. 

Computer Forensics Training 

To get hired for a job in the computer forensics science field you'll want to take classes and courses and training in incident handling detection, investigation management, protection and reaction for the minimum basic training needed. You can take other classes focusing on Internet crimes against children and analysis and presentation of evidence in court. 

If you're looking for a government job they may require you to have a degree in computer forensics or a degree that is related like in information systems, security and possibly cyber crime so you know what you’re doing along with computer forensics certification. 

For education there are schools and universities online that offer online training with classes and a variety of courses and programs in related areas or fields. Some have on campus programs as well. These include American Intercontinental University online, Kaplan University, Virginia College, University of Phoenix, Colorado State University and Capella University to name just a few. Check with your local and state universities and colleges as well as those online and compare. Use reviews, ratbings and comparisons to find the best computer forensics education.  Ask people who are already in the field what they suggest or how they got their traininig.  

If you plan to go to work or get a job with a police department you may be able to earn an associate degree and then get a law enforcement internship in order to get hired.  Call your local police department and find out if they're hiring and what the criteria or qualifications are and then submit your resume if you already have the requirements. 

There is plenty of finanacial aid available and money available for ONLINE degrees, cruse, classes so make sure to check that out.

Computer Forensics Certification

There are a number of certifications available for computer forensics if desired. In many states the laws require computer forensics expert witnesses to get professional certification or in some cases a private investigators license. One needs to check with their state to see what licenses are required, if any, for computer forensics positions, or consulting. Certification organizations include Global Information Assurance certification (GIAC) - Certified Forensic Analyst  (GCFA). Other certifications through the association include Certified Computer Forensics examiner and EnCase Certified examiner (for those familiar with the software.) Check out what it takes to be certified and if you need to be. 

There are lots of computer forensics jobs available. Know that you will be earning a good salary. It will take some experience either on the job or with specialized training and in some cases certification. Or if you prefer to work as a computer forensics consultant you'll find lots of clients and client companies. Computer Forensics Questions We Are Asked

  Computer Forensics Jobs