22nd September 2021, Kathmandu
Digital forensics is a better career path to grow in 2021 and beyond. The cybercriminal’s malicious activities are giving trouble to the digital forensics specialists. Attackers these days are using different tools and techniques to perform their malicious activities. The situation needs the investigation of digital forensic to crack the case.
This article explains the skills required to be a certified digital forensics examiner. Let’s understand the roles and responsibilities of a certified digital forensics examiner which is also known as a digital forensics investigator.
Who is a Digital Forensics Investigator?
A digital forensics investigator requires knowledge of data, forensic and legal principles, and procedures. People who have such skills in this field can apply for various roles such as digital forensics technicians, computer forensics investigators, cyber forensics experts, etc.
These people are the high skilled professional who works with the law enforcement to collect and protect information or evidence from various data sources. The demand for digital forensics experts is increasing with the rise of cyber-attacks. This field is also full of job opportunities.
Top 6 Skills Required for a Digital Forensics Career
Anyone with a skillset can grow a career in digital forensics and it is also important to know the tools and techniques of digital forensic experts. The following are the important digital forensics skills.
1. Technical and Analytical Skills
A person must have high technical and analytical skills. To analyze cybercrime and data, one must be updated with the latest technologies and operating systems. Moreover, analytical skills uplift the ability to judge, analyze and summarize facts and the condition, which is important to know the intention of the cybercrime and recreate the condition and investigate different reasons and outcomes of the crime.
2. Networking Concepts
One must have depth knowledge of networking mechanisms. While collecting digital evidence, one must know the networking working mechanism to know the different ways of data transmission. Digital forensic investigation is not only bounded to just digital devices. Analyzing the network to know the root cause of the attack was due to network traffic, access of servers, the LAN, WAN, MAN connection, etc. One also should know the data collection from the network servers while collecting evidence. One should have depth concept of networks to understand the data transmission through networks.
3. Communication Skills
Communication is important to understand the technical terminologies and processes of a non-technical individual. One needs to know the explanation to proceed to the judge in court. The digital forensic investigator has to explain the complicated technical terms and practices to the judge in simple terms keeping the exact problem and techniques without any changes.
4. Cybersecurity Concepts
There are different terms, processes, and policies which are related to cybersecurity. One must have basic concepts of cybersecurity like data breaches, complete knowledge of vulnerabilities, handling of threats and risks, different programming languages, etc. This knowledge enhances know of the mind of an attacker, which helps the investigation process. With depth knowledge of cybersecurity, one can easily know or guess the attack, which helps the investigation process.
5. Attention to Detail
It is important to pay attention to every small detail as an investigator. An investigator needs to know the attacker’s mind and his attacking method to analyze the attack performed. To know the nature of the attack an investigator needs to understand each and every minute detail. An investigator must analyze to decide what aspects of evidence are relevant to the case and what is insignificant. For investigation, it helps to understand the nature of cybercrime.
6. Aspiration to Learn
Technology is changing day by day. New development and discoveries are always being made and attackers are improving their attacks methods. Moreover, a person must be curious about learning new things and technologies. In this field professionals need to be updated with the latest technologies and attacks, understand, find solutions,s and fix the problems with the gained knowledge.
Professionals must gain the important forensics skills to become digital forensics experts; they must be trained formally to enhance their skills. To become a professional in this field a person needs formal training in a digital forensics course.
How to Build Digital Forensics Skills
Skills play a vital role in making a solid foundation in digital forensics. To start a career in digital forensics, one must start with a digital forensics course or equivalent, which helps them gain the required skills.
One such program is EC-Council’s Certified Hacking Forensics Investigator (C|HFI), which helps participants with the required skills and knowledge, and helps them build a solid foundation in the digital forensics domain.
This program helps with different methodologies and tools to enhance an investigation. Digital forensics is important for enhancing the skills and knowledge to test abilities in real-world situations.
After the completion of the course, one can easily apply for different jobs in digital forensics such as information security analyst, computer forensics investigator, forensics computer analyst, computer forensics technician, security consultant, and information systems security analyst. According to PayScale, an individual who has completed a course related to digital forensics can earn $64,900. The certification enhances the job value of an individual.
