How to Become a Computer Forensic Tech
A computer forensic technician collects electronic evidence and provides information to an investigation team. Being a computer forensic technician requires you to have skills to help criminal investigators solve computer crimes. You should have knowledge of criminology, business law and computer data analysis.
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Instructions
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Apply to a degree or certificate program for computer forensics. You can learn computer forensics through either an associate's degree program or bachelor's degree program. If you do not seek to earn a degree or already have a degree, you could enroll in a certificate program. Most of these require that you have a high school diploma or GED.
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Enroll and complete coursework at an accredited college that offers a computer forensics program. In a computer forensics program you will learn the basics of technical security concepts and learn how to use multiple security models. Other things that you can learn through the program include the ability to retrieve deleted files and how people try to conceal computer information.
You could also complete coursework in computer science or accounting. These types of degrees can be useful for investigations of computer fraud. Later on, you could acquire practical investigative experience.
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Intern at a law enforcement agency or corporate security agency. Learn computer forensics while working as an intern. This way you can work closely with someone already in the field and be trained by him.
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Apply for an entry-level position. Check with law enforcement agencies, government agencies, or consulting firms for a position as a computer forensic technician.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure that the school that you enroll in is accredited.
Be sure that you earn maintain an acceptable grade point average at the school you are enrolled in. Some two-year programs require that you complete 60 credit hours and earn nothing less than a 2.0 GPA.
Ask the college you are applying to if you need to submit to a criminal background check. You may be excluded from admission to a post-secondary school if you have a previous felony conviction.
