With technology being ever present and in just about everything, digital evidence can be key to solving just about any crime, from cybercrimes such as fraud and identity theft to armed robbery, human trafficking, and even murder. In fact, according to a 2022 paper originally published in Forensic Science International: Synergy, digital evidence plays a key role in up to 90% of criminal cases.
However, digital evidence presents some unique challenges. Criminals can protect incriminating information with sophisticated encryption software or hide it in a vast sea of unrelated data. They can also destroy it digitally or destroy the devices it’s stored on. The right countermeasures can undo these tactics, but the wrong ones can destroy evidence forever.
For that reason, digital forensics investigators are more important to the criminal justice system than ever before. For students who are interested in taking on this complex career, here’s what to know about what these specialized investigators do, how to become one, and how a
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information and Cybersecurity Technology (ICT)
can help.
Digital Forensics Investigator Job Duties
Also called computer forensics investigators, digital forensics investigators collect data about crimes involving technology. While this includes cybercrimes such as data breaches and identity theft, digital forensics professionals can also help law enforcement track the digital footprints of suspects involved in any type of crime.
While a digital forensics investigator’s job duties can vary between cases, they typically include the following:
Recovering deleted data and data from destroyed devices
Reconstructing partially destroyed data
Bypassing protections, such as cryptography programs
Identifying compromised data in hacks
Analyzing metadata from photos, files, software, and other sources
Determining the source or perpetrators of a cyberattack
Helping organizations recover from previous attacks and prepare for future ones
Assisting law enforcement in processing digital evidence, such as phones, computers, and files
As technology experts, digital forensics investigators can also serve as expert witnesses in criminal trials. They’re often responsible for writing reports and explaining their discoveries to colleagues who might not be well-versed in digital forensics.
Digital Forensics Investigator Work Environments
Digital forensics investigators can work in the public or private sector. Those who work in the public sector often work for local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI. However, they can also work for government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the intelligence sectors of each branch of the U.S. military.
In the private sector, digital forensics investigators can work for financial institutions, insurance companies, healthcare organizations, and other organizations that handle sensitive information. However, instead of working directly for these companies, investigators often work for
cybersecurity consulting firms
that provide day-to-day services and specialty services following data breaches and other attacks.
Digital Forensics Investigator Job Requirements: Skills, Education, and Training
Because digital forensics investigators must be able to handle many different types of crimes, they must have a well-developed tool kit of
cybersecurity and information technology (IT) skills
. Future digital forensics professionals can learn this skill set by earning a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, IT, or another closely related field.
During their studies, future digital forensics professionals can prepare for their careers by taking classes in the following:
Network security, design, administration, and maintenance
Programming languages, such as Python and Java
Computer hardware
Wireless communication
Cryptography
Common cybercrime tactics and tools, such as phishing, malware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
Technical report writing
Digital forensics investigators must also typically be at least somewhat familiar with the laws and regulations that govern how law enforcement agencies handle digital evidence.
Other Training Requirements and Opportunities
In addition to earning degrees, many digital forensics investigators earn professional certifications in cybersecurity, network security, and digital forensics. Many cybersecurity degree programs prepare students to pass certification exams. While certifications aren’t typically required for digital forensics jobs, they can help professionals be more competitive in the hiring process.
Additionally, digital forensics investigators who work for government agencies must often go through government training programs after accepting job offers. These programs help new professionals learn about the most pressing threats, keep up with the latest cybercrime trends, and become more familiar with protocols and laws concerning the handling of digital evidence.
Career Advancement Opportunities for Digital Forensics Investigators
Because of their dynamic skills, experienced digital forensics investigators can take on any number of advanced positions in the public and private sectors. In some cases, digital forensics professionals pursue advanced degrees and certifications before pivoting into other roles.
Later in their
cybersecurity careers
, digital forensics investigators can become one of the following:
Chief security officers
Chief technology officers
Directors of investigations
Directors of incidence response
Cybersecurity consultants
Information security analysts
IT and cybersecurity auditors
Security project managers
Exact job duties vary, but instead of handling day-to-day security issues, professionals in these positions are typically in charge of entire teams or departments. They may also guide organizational security policy and handle administrative duties, such as budget and personnel management.
However, experienced digital forensics professionals can also take on advanced technical roles, such as security software developers or information security engineers. Those in these positions design security solutions for their own organizations and clients.
Become a Digital Evidence Expert
Throughout their careers, digital forensics investigators must be able to handle an impressively broad range of security issues. However, just as important, they must be able to adapt to new threats. Through the
online BS in ICT
with a Cybersecurity concentration at East Carolina University®, you can learn how to preserve justice in this ever-evolving digital landscape.
Students take classes on everything from network security fundamentals to ethical hacking and penetration testing. This dynamic curriculum is also designed to help students prepare for professional certifications from industry leaders, including CompTIA Security+, Cisco, and Red Hat.
