Demand for cyber forensic specialists increases as the number and type of computer crimes increase.
According to Crime in America, cyber-crime is a booming business. The number of reported incidents in 2009 increased by 22 percent. Every day, computer hackers find new ways to bypass computer security systems to steal data, embezzle funds or commit fraud. When a person uses a computer, he leaves trace evidence in the system. Cyber forensic investigators identify and preserve digital trace evidence, analyze it and document their findings relating to criminal, civil and business digital integrity and access.
Career Paths
Prospective cyber forensic investigators have three possible career paths. Those wanting to specialize in cyber or computer crime become law enforcement officers. They begin as patrol officers. With a combination of experience, education and service placement tests, they may be appointed to a computer crime investigator position. Cyber forensic consulting is the second option. People on this career path complete a degree in computer forensics and then work for a consulting firm doing forensic work for clients. The third option is a private investigator path. Retired law enforcement officers often pursue this path. They may work for an agency or be self-employed and use computer forensics to assist them in their investigations.
Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), detectives and investigators, including cyber forensics, earned an annual average income of $68,820 as of May, 2010, with an annual pay range of $38,850 to $119,320. Computer Forensic investigators working in consulting or private industry are classified as information security analysts by the BLS. In 2010, their annual average salary was $79,370, with a range of $43,190 to $119,940. Private investigators specializing in computer forensics earned an average annual salary of $47,830, with a range of $25,760 to $74,970 per year.
Qualifications
Regardless of the career path a cyber investigator chooses, she must have a bachelor's degree in computer forensics that includes courses in computer operating systems, digital information handling, protection, detection, Internet crimes, information networks and security, along with digital media laws. A cyber investigator should be a certified computer forensics examiner (CCFE). The certification is a two-part process that includes a 50-question test, which must be completed in two hours or less with a score of at least 80%, and a take-home project in which the person must investigate a mock case, analyze it and write a report that can be used in court. The person has 60 days to complete the report. Completing an unpaid or paid internship in cyber forensics while attending school is also an excellent way to gain experience.
Career Prospects
Given the growth of cyber-crime, including hacker attacks, data theft, phishing, embezzlement, fraud and many other assaults on digital media, the demand for qualified cyber forensics investigators will continue to grow. According to BLS, the demand for investigators is expected to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2010, while the demand for information security analysts is expected to increase by 53 percent for the same period.
Tags: computer forensics, cyber forensics, annual average, career path, computer crime, Cyber forensic
