History of Computer Forensics Investigators<\/h2>\r\n
The role of computer forensics investigators came from law enforcement's need to collect and examine digital evidence. What we now call computer forensics started at the end of the 20th century, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies created standard procedures for collecting digital evidence.<\/p>\r\n
In 1998, an array of agencies — including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Customs — came together to form a group called the Technical Working Group Digital Evidence<\/a>. The goal of this organization was to develop standard operating procedures and the corresponding documents to handle digital evidence.<\/p>\r\n The following year, these groups rebranded themselves as scientific working groups (SWGs). SWGs are meetings of no more than 50 people at least once a year to discuss integrating imaging systems and technology into criminal justice. They create recommendations for collecting, storing, and analyzing digital evidence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Today, computer forensics investigators examine multiple kinds of evidence, including:<\/p>\r\n Computer forensics investigators<\/a> collect and examine digital evidence in crimes to determine whether evidence is relevant to ongoing criminal cases. They write reports about this data and testify in court about their findings.<\/p>\r\n These professionals may work long hours to meet tight deadlines and respond to investigations as they develop. Many computer forensics investigators work for law enforcement or governments at the state and federal levels. They work on counterintelligence, criminal, and law investigations. Businesses also hire them to help investigate fraud and intellectual property violations.<\/p>\r\n In addition to analyzing digital evidence, computer forensics investigators monitor the security of digital information. They make recommendations about how to safeguard digitized operations.<\/p>\r\n Computer forensics investigators need several soft and hard skills to work in their roles, which we explore below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \r\n Computer forensics investigators spend much of their workday collecting and examining digital evidence related to criminal investigations. They analyze this data, write reports about their findings, and testify in court cases. They may also make recommendations about how to increase the security of digital information to prevent future breaches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS) projects 10% job growth from 2021 to 2031 for \"all other computer occupations,\" a broad career category which includes computer forensics investigators. This faster-than-average growth projection reflects the continued demand for cybersecurity workers in the digital age.<\/p>\r\n Computer forensics investigators make an average annual salary of $75,530, according to Payscale data from March 2023<\/a>. Wages for computer forensics investigators vary with experience: For example, midcareer computer forensic investigators make an average salary of $89,530, according to March 2023 Payscale data.<\/p>\r\n Factors like education also impact earning potential. For instance, according to Payscale, professionals with master's degrees<\/a> in cybersecurity earn $93,000 on average<\/a>, higher than the $75,000 average<\/a> that professionals with cybersecurity bachelor's degrees make.<\/p>\r\n Salaries vary by location: BLS data<\/a> about all other computer occupations<\/a> show that these professionals earn the highest average wages in Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and California.<\/p>\r\n\r\n $75,530<\/span> Average Annual Salary<\/p>\r\n Source:<\/strong> Payscale<\/a><\/small><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\n Computer forensics investigators typically hold bachelor's degrees in computer science<\/a>, cybersecurity<\/a>, or computer forensics<\/a>. These degrees usually take four years of full-time study. However, you may be able to start your career more quickly through a boot camp. Other computer forensics professionals begin their careers in adjacent fields like information technology or law enforcement.<\/p>\r\n Professional organizations like GIAC and ISACA offer credentials in areas like digital forensics and incident response. Though these certifications are not equivalent to required degrees, they can help aspiring computer forensics investigators stand out in the job market and offer verification of their field-specific skills.<\/p>\r\n Check out additional resources for computer forensics investigators below:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \n\n Find out how to become a computer forensics investigator, including the education, experience, and certification requirements.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Discover what a computer forensics investigator does daily.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Learn whether a computer forensics degree aligns with your career goals and determine which programs work best for you.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Find out what certifications could be right for you and why you should pursue them.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \r\n
What Does a Computer Forensics Investigator Do?<\/h2>\r\n
Key Soft Skills for Computer Forensics Investigators<\/h3>\r\n
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Key Hard Skills for Computer Forensics Investigators<\/h3>\r\n
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A Day in the Life of a Computer Forensics Investigator<\/h3>\r\n
Computer Forensics Investigator Career Outlook<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n How to Become a Computer Forensics Investigator<\/h2>\r\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/highereducation\/images\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1681508008\/ComputerScience.org\/how-to-become-a-forensic-investigator\/how-to-become-a-forensic-investigator.jpg?_i=AA\"\n)
\n How to Become a Computer Forensics Investigator<\/h4>\n
![\"Day](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/highereducation\/images\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1681756764\/ComputerScience.org\/computer-forensic-investigator-day-in-the-life\/computer-forensic-investigator-day-in-the-life.jpg?_i=AA\"\n)
\n Day in the Life of a Computer Forensics Investigator<\/h4>\n
![\"Computer](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/highereducation\/images\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1662131753\/ComputerScience.org\/GettyImages-1184998952_73526b3e\/GettyImages-1184998952_73526b3e.jpg?_i=AA\"\n)
\n Computer Forensics Degree Programs<\/h4>\n
![\"Certifications](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/highereducation\/images\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1662131313\/ComputerScience.org\/GettyImages-867421140_688f799a\/GettyImages-867421140_688f799a.jpg?_i=AA\"\n)
\n Certifications for Computer Science Professionals<\/h4>\n
Similar Specializations and Career Paths<\/h2>\r\n
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