5 Benefits of Choosing Your Career in Computer Forensics

The advent of computers has changed the way we exist on this planet forever. It made tasks and lives simple. It shortened the amount of time a task used to take in the past. With further advancements in technology, the Internet came into being which brought every corner of the world closer. Where some people use the Internet and computers for the sake of benefits, some people use it for crimes. You might often hear about ransomware attacks, phishing, data breaches, etc. Why are these crimes increasing every day? Well, people are unaware of the problems they can solve using the Internet and choose a different path. Different studies have been conducted that show the rise in cybercrimes every month and every year.

What is Computer Forensics?

It all started with viruses and now big firms lose information to hackers through a data breach. When there is a crime, there are people to counter it. Criminology was a course taught to students to tackle physical crimes but the past decade had made researchers work on cybercrime studies as well. NIST’s Computer Resource Center defines computer forensics as the application for digital knowledge and investigative methods to solve cybercrimes.

What are the benefits of choosing computer forensics as a career?

Computer forensics was not known until the last few years. With the rise in computer crimes, there is now a desperate need for people who can look specifically into cybercrimes. Every policeman cannot work efficiently and so, computer forensics analysts work for them to solve cases easily. Every IT manager cannot protect the crucial data, therefore the demand for computer forensics jobs are on the rise.

Effective and efficient working procedures:

If you choose computer forensics as a career, you will be able to join any force or work with multi-national firms. Your assistance will be a necessary part of the department because you know how to protect data or break necessary codes for safety purposes. The work which an IT executive can do in days can be done in hours by a computer forensic analyst.

Handsome salary packages are offered:

Of course, the salary packages are very good when it comes to the field of computer forensics. With special skills, you get an edge over every other person. Since you are protecting the firm from any data breach or solving phishing attacks, you are paid a handsome amount.

Your passion will become your career:

If you have an interest in investigations and solving crimes, this is the right field for you. Passion about the investigation was looked down upon a few decades ago. People could not easily become a detective or a part of forces. Now there are specific studies for crime investigation. Since it is the age of technology, cybercrimes call for computer forensic experts.

You can choose a different track too

Becoming a computer forensic expert will not limit your career to a firm. You will be taught all the legal sides too. Therefore, you can become a personal detective too. You can also become a part of the crime branch of your state. Solving crime will be easier just because of your skills. Another path for you can be a legal firm. There are issues with legalities online as well. A legal firm will be obliged to have you solving legal matters.

Your data can be used as proof in court

In the earlier stages of technology, the data once lost could not be recovered. But now computer forensics has made everything possible. With the ability and strength to retrieve data, you can help investigators get their hands on crucial data necessary to solve a case. The data you recover will be used as proof in court and you will be a reason for justice in the society.

What are the key duties of a computer forensics expert?

Becoming a computer forensics analyst sounds easy. But it is not that easy. Just like any other profession, it also needs a lot of dedication, persistence, focus and hard work. Like other executives of the firm, you will have some key responsibilities too. You cannot rely on others about them so you need to be sure before choosing it as your career.

The responsibilities of a computer forensics job vary in different firms. In any legal firm, the responsibilities can be: 

• Any damaged hardware reconstruction
• Access to data and secure any devices or information according to the needs of a firm
• Ensure that the data remains the same after analysis
• Retrieve any lost data, files, etc.
• Basic training about legal matters and computer forensics to the team
• Every file must be according to legal standards
• Information collection as required
• The analyst must be capable of providing audit trails
• Keep the evidence secure before and after the court’s trial

If the analyst is hired for security firms, the responsibilities might be a little different:

• Complete understanding of Information Technology 
• Protect against ransomware attacks, phishing, data breaches, etc. 
• Investigate after any data breach or any other data loss 
• Inform the higher authorities for better protection needs
• Share all information related to Information Technology with the heads 

These are just some basic responsibilities but they can vary from firm to firm. Make sure you have all the skills to fulfill these responsibilities before applying to any firm. 

What are the job titles to search for if you are a computer forensic expert? 

There are a number of names for one job. If you have chosen computer forensics as a career, look for the following job titles while applying.

• Information Security Crime Investigator
• Computer Forensics Engineer 
• Computer Forensics Investigator 
• Computer Forensics Specialist 
• Computer Forensics Analyst 
• Computer Forensics Examiner 
• Computer Forensics Technician
• Digital /Computer Crime Specialist
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

What is the outlook of a computer forensics analyst?

Some people are still in barbarism when it comes to investigation and crime-solving. But according to different researches, the computer forensics field has a bright future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the field will grow by approximately 20% by the end of 2022. There are no specific figures for the salary but the analysts earn $400 to $500 per hour. Choosing computer forensics as a career will not be a bad choice. 

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