Computer Forensic Investigator: 2024 Career Guide

Computer forensic investigators help retrieve information from computers and other digital storage devices. The retrieved data can then be used in criminal investigations or as evidence in cases of cyber crimes. Learn whether this career at the intersection of cybersecurity and law enforcement might be a good fit for you and how to get started.

What do computer forensic investigators do?

Much like a forensic investigator captures evidence from the scene of a crime, a computer forensic investigator gathers evidence found on computers, mobile phones, and other digital devices.

Tasks and responsibilities

The specific tasks of a digital forensic investigator will vary depending on the company or agency and industry. These are some of the tasks you might expect to perform (based on actual job listings):

• Retrieve data from virtual and physical devices

• Collect and analyze network intrusion artifacts and evidence of malicious network activity

• Reconstruct the series of events leading to a compromise or breach

• Collect, process, analyze, and preserve digital evidence in criminal cases.

• Extract and analyze metadata

• Collaborate with law enforcement, as well as legal, compliance, and HR teams

• Ensure chain of custody of digital evidence

• Write technical reports to document case findings.

• Identify potential threats and provide recommendations for better security.

• Provide testimony in depositions, trials, and other legal proceedings 

Where you'll work

Many computer forensic investigators work within the law enforcement industry, whether directly for law enforcement agencies or for private firms hired by agencies to manage digital evidence. It's also possible to work as a forensic analyst for a private company. In this case, you're likely to be tasked with identifying vulnerabilities, investigating breaches, and attempting to retrieve data from damaged or compromised digital storage devices.

Some digital forensic investigator jobs require you to be on call to respond to incidents that might not occur during regular business hours.

Possible job titles

Digital forensics is a relatively new field. You might see this type of work associated with various job titles, and “computer forensics” and “digital forensics” are often used interchangeably. Some possible job titles include:

*Digital/computer forensic investigator

*Digital/computer forensic analyst

*Digital/computer forensic examiner

*Digital/computer forensic consultant

*Digital/computer forensic specialist

*Digital/computer forensic evaluator

*Network forensic analyst

*Multimedia forensic analyst

Why pursue a career in digital forensics?

If applying your technical skills toward keeping the internet safe sounds interesting, a digital forensics career could be a good fit for you. Besides offering an always-evolving challenge, digital forensics jobs are often well-paid and in-demand.

Computer forensics investigator salary

Digital forensic analysts in the US make an average base salary of $79,284, according to Glassdoor, as of September 2023. Job sites ZipRecruiter and CyberSeek report salaries of $81,041 (computer forensic investigator) and $90,000 (cyber crime analyst), respectively [1, 2]. 

Job outlook

While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not include digital forensic analysts as a job category in its Occupational Outlook Handbook, it reports that information security analysts should see job growth of 32 percent and forensic science technicians 13 percent growth 2022-2032, respectively [3, 4]. This is much higher than the average rate of 8 percent across all occupations. 

Digital forensics career path

CyberSeek classifies "cyber crime analyst" as an entry-level role in cybersecurity. Getting your start with a job in digital forensics could open up opportunities for more advanced, better-paying roles like penetration tester, cybersecurity consultant, cybersecurity manager, or security architect.

Read more about what cybersecurity career path might be a good fit for you.

How to become a computer forensic investigator 

If you're interested in a career in computer forensics, here are some steps you can take to get started.

1. Build your digital forensics skills.

Success in cybersecurity, including digital forensics, often relies on having the right technical and workplace skills for the role. For a career as a computer forensic investigator, consider investing in skills like:

• Digital storage devices: Understand how data is stored on hard drives and consumer electronic devices, so you're better equipped to retrieve critical or compromised data.

• Operating systems: You'll need to know how to find and retrieve information from Windows, Linux, macOS, Unix, and Android devices.

• Cryptography: Often, the data you'll need to retrieve and analyze will be encrypted, so it's critical to understand encryption and decryption methods.

• Communication: You may be tasked with documenting evidence and writing reports on your findings. In this role, you may have to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences, like company executives or juries.

• Malware engineering: You may be tasked with reverse engineering a piece of malware to better understand its functionality and impact.

• Digital forensic software: Programs like Forensic Toolkit (FTK) contain a collection of forensic tools to help you scan devices for information and crack encryptions.

• Data privacy laws: Since you'll be working with sometimes sensitive data, you'll need to be familiar with local, federal, and international data protection laws.

• Problem-solving: Rarely is the data you're looking for sitting out for you to find easily. Instead, be prepared to do some sleuthing to solve complex problems.

Read more: Cybersecurity Terms: A to Z Glossary

2. Get certified.

Earning a relevant cybersecurity certification can validate your skills to recruiters and hiring managers, enhance your resume, and open up new job opportunities. Some commonly-requested certifications for digital forensics jobs include:

• Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)

• EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE)

• GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)

• GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)

• GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA)

• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

Read more: 10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications

3. Start with an entry-level position. 

Many cybersecurity professionals, including digital forensic analysts, gain experience in entry-level information technology (IT) roles before advancing into information security. By working as a network analyst, IT support specialist, or systems engineer, you can build practical technical knowledge that can serve as a foundation for more advanced digital forensics skills.

Next steps

If you’re ready to get started in a cybersecurity career, consider enrolling in the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera. Learn how to use job essential tools like Splunk, Chronicle, playbook, and more. This program is designed ​​to help individuals with no previous experience find their first job in the cybersecurity field, all at their own pace. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)