Digital Forensics Careers

Every action made on or through a computer can be tracked by a digital forensics expert.

Digital forensics, also known as computer forensics, network forensics, and cyberforensics, is the science of discovering, collecting, analyzing, and reporting evidence found on computers and networks. Digital forensic workers locate files, folders, transmissions, codes, and more in the search for evidence in criminal and civil court cases. They also work to trace and track hackers or break-ins to networks and computers, find breaches of security and establish how they occurred, and other tasks involving computer science. There are several careers that use digital forensics on a regular basis.

Military careers

The United States military employs a number of people in its quest to monitor web traffic relevant to national security and to military operations abroad. Investigators track communications, bank transfers, transportation records, digital images from closed circuit cameras, and other digital activities to follow the actions of organized groups, cells, and individuals working against the country.

Police careers

The police are increasingly turning to digital forensics work as a means to track and catch perpetrators of crimes including identity theft, child pornography, money laundering, and the activities of organized crime, all of which may be arranged using computers and other digital devices. A person working for the police may be asked to find and collect passwords, emails, images, bank records and other data that is evidence of a crime, and to testify about that evidence in court.

Careers with Banks

Most banks have at least one person on staff who works to acquire and analyze digital information to prevent and stop white-collar crimes such as fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and other financial crimes. These individuals also help keep track of audits and auditing via digital means, provide digital security, and maintain records.

Private security firms

Many private security firms employ people with strong digital forensics skills to help provide their clients with better security and to track and catch anyone making threats to those clients. Finding and analyzing images from digital cameras or phones, collecting email and voice mail recordings, and other kinds of data may all be part of a day’s work for digital forensics experts working in the private sector.

References

• Digital Forensics