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Digital Forensics: Fast-Growing Future Career

Digital forensics is also called “computer forensics.” People who work in digital forensics can recover data from devices used to commit crimes, collect digital evidence, and maintain a chain of custody for legal proceedings. (In law enforcement, a chain of custody is a formal way to identify where a piece of evidence is at all times and who is in charge of it.) They also can determine how people hack into computer systems and can maintain system security to stop hackers. They can analyze data discovered during investigations, and they can serve as expert witnesses in court. Digital forensics experts who work in private industry often have different expertise from counterparts who work for law enforcement or government agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 112,000 people worked as information security analysts in 2018. Not all of these analysts are working in digital forensics, but many of them are. Information security is expected to grow much more quickly than the average field, with more than 35,000 new jobs to be added between 2018 and 2028. Although their work may seem removed from crime scenes and physical evidence, digital forensics investigators perform vital functions in the legal system. According to Jason Jordaan, principal forensic scientist at DFIRLABS in South Africa, “Their evidence can be responsible for sending someone to prison, paying a significant fine, or keeping someone from escaping justice.” Education Requirements Most people who work in cybersecurity should have a high-school diploma and certifications in their specialty. Computer-focused careers include certifications that can be obtained through free online open education resources. Many programs offer education and training for free, but the certificate must be paid for in order to certify that the training has been completed. Because cybersecurity is so specialized, many people are

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