Do digital forensics analysts need certifications?

Candidates do not need a formally issued license to become a computer forensics analyst, but employers often prefer candidates who hold one or more of the following: Global Information Assurance Certifications: GIAC certifications focus on incident response capabilities, and include seven unique programs as of 2020. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator: Offered by the world-renowned EC-Council, the CHFI designation appeals to professionals interested in investigating cybercrime. Certified Forensic Computer Examiner: Delivered by the IACIS, the CFCE program includes two phases: a peer review phase and a certification phase. Candidates must recertify every three years to maintain valid standing. Access Data Forensics Certifications: Access Data offers numerous specialized certifications for professionals who aspire to work in law enforcement settings.

Forensics - CyberMaterial

Digital forensic investigator
Computer expertise technician
Information security analyst
Digital forensics analyst
Digital/computer forensics engineer
Information systems security analyst
Forensic computer analyst
Cybersecurity consultant
Computer/digital forensic technician.

Computer forensics analysts assist in the investigation of crimes and cybersecurity incidents. In many cases, they work to recover hidden, encrypted, or deleted information related to the case. They also safeguard the integrity of data by following a chain of custody that ensures its admissibility in court.

Digital forensics experts commonly work in the criminal justice system. Many private industries also employ them, including companies in financial services, information technology, computing, network security, and defense sectors. Privately employed digital forensics analysts help buttress an organization’s internal cybersecurity team and provide an added safeguard in the event of a hack or cybercrime.

Forensic investigators typically follow standard procedures, which vary depending on the context of the forensic investigation, the device being investigated or the information investigators are looking for. In general, these procedures include the following three steps:

Data collection: Electronically stored information must be collected in a way that maintains its integrity. This often involves physically isolating the device under investigation to ensure it cannot be accidentally contaminated or tampered with. Examiners make a digital copy, also called a forensic image, of the device's storage media, and then they lock the original device in a safe or other secure facility to maintain its pristine condition. The investigation is conducted on the digital copy. In other cases, publicly available information may be used for forensic purposes, such as Facebook posts or public Venmo charges for purchasing illegal products or services displayed on the Vicemo website.
Analysis: Investigators analyze digital copies of storage media in a sterile environment to gather the information for a case. Various tools are used to assist in this process, including Basis Technology's Autopsy for hard drive investigations and the Wireshark network protocol analyzer. A mouse jiggler is useful when examining a computer to keep it from falling asleep and losing volatile memory data that is lost when the computer goes to sleep or loses power.
Presentation: The forensic investigators present their findings in a legal proceeding, where a judge or jury uses them to help determine the result of a lawsuit. In a data recovery situation, forensic investigators present what they were able to recover from a compromised system.

Candidates do not need a formally issued license to become a computer forensics analyst, but employers often prefer candidates who hold one or more of the following:

Global Information Assurance Certifications: GIAC certifications focus on incident response capabilities, and include seven unique programs as of 2020.
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator: Offered by the world-renowned EC-Council, the CHFI designation appeals to professionals interested in investigating cybercrime.
Certified Forensic Computer Examiner: Delivered by the IACIS, the CFCE program includes two phases: a peer review phase and a certification phase. Candidates must recertify every three years to maintain valid standing.
Access Data Forensics Certifications: Access Data offers numerous specialized certifications for professionals who aspire to work in law enforcement settings.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2019), the median salary for information security analysts was $99,730 in 2019. Those in the lowest 10 percent earned $57,810 or less, while those in the highest 10 percent earned $158,860 annually or more.

Digital forensic investigator Computer expertise technician Information security analyst Digital forensics analyst Digital/computer forensics engineer Information systems security analyst Forensic computer analyst Cybersecurity consultant Computer/digital forensic technician.

In general, these procedures include the following three steps:

Data collection: Electronically stored information must be collected in a way that maintains its integrity. This often involves physically isolating the device under investigation to ensure it cannot be accidentally contaminated or tampered with. Examiners make a digital copy, also called a forensic image, of the device's storage media, and then they lock the original device in a safe or other secure facility to maintain its pristine condition. The investigation is conducted on the digital copy. In other cases, publicly available information may be used for forensic purposes, such as Facebook posts or public Venmo charges for purchasing illegal products or services displayed on the Vicemo website.

Analysis: Investigators analyze digital copies of storage media in a sterile environment to gather the information for a case. Various tools are used to assist in this process, including Basis Technology's Autopsy for hard drive investigations and the Wireshark network protocol analyzer. A mouse jiggler is useful when examining a computer to keep it from falling asleep and losing volatile memory data that is lost when the computer goes to sleep or loses power.

Presentation: The forensic investigators present their findings in a legal proceeding, where a judge or jury uses them to help determine the result of a lawsuit. In a data recovery situation, forensic investigators present what they were able to recover from a compromised system.