With students returning to class, the beginning of the new academic year is an opportune time for young tech professionals to start planning for a potential career while obtaining new skills. For those interested in cybersecurity, where openings continue to outpace potential candidates, several positions offer solid paths of advancement.
One of these up-and-coming positions is a cyber forensic expert: a particular security–oriented career path gaining traction as cybercrime continues to pose significant risks for large and small organizations as well as government agencies.
The cyber forensic expert position is one of several cybersecurity career paths highlighted by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, a resource center supported by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for students and young tech professionals interested in security careers as well as those without traditional degrees but who are interested in security and IT jobs.
Several cybersecurity industry experts also noted that while the cyber forensic expert is typically associated with law enforcement, private businesses and enterprises (including the finance and healthcare sectors) need these types of security professionals as cybercrime and malicious threats, such as ransomware, continue to pose significant risks.
“A cyber forensic expert is similar to a digital detective, specializing in investigating cybercrimes. They carefully gather and analyze digital evidence from computers, networks, and other devices to reconstruct events, identify culprits, and present findings in legal proceedings,” Eric Schwake, director of cybersecurity strategy at Salt Security, recently told Dice.
“Their work is critical in helping organizations understand the extent of a breach, recover stolen data, and bring perpetrators to justice,” Schwake added. “They are also instrumental in preventing future attacks by identifying vulnerabilities and improving security measures.”
For young tech professionals beginning their careers, or students interested in exploring cyber careers, the role of the cyber forensic expert offers various employment pathways into the security industry. Potential candidates, however, need a mix of skills and experience to start the journey.
Cyber Forensic Expert: Definitions and Duties
In general, a cyber forensic expert works as an analyst during a cybersecurity investigation, especially when data has been corrupted, damaged or stolen as part of an incident, such as a ransomware attack.
A cyber forensic expert also helps uncover digital traces of cybercrimes or potential attacks, investigates these incidents, and can provide expert testimony for law enforcement. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies resource sites notes additional duties for this position, including:
- Recovering and examining data from computers and electronic storage devices.
- Dismantling and rebuilding damaged systems to retrieve lost data.
- Identifying additional systems or networks compromised by cyberattacks.
- Drafting technical reports, writing declarations and preparing evidence for trial.
“A cyber forensic expert investigates and analyzes digital evidence from cybercrimes, helping to solve cases involving data breaches, fraud and other malicious activities,” noted Jason Soroko, senior vice president of product at security firm Sectigo. “Their work is crucial for legal proceedings, as they recover, preserve and present digital evidence in a way admissible in court. You will work with a diverse set of tools, but also potentially need skills in various operating systems and networking standards.”
Cyber Forensic Expert: Salary and Skills
The U.S. cybersecurity field has hundreds of thousands of open positions waiting to be filled, and the cyber forensic expert field is no exception. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies resource site shows a 28 percent growth in job listings. The medium U.S. salary for a cyber forensic expert is listed at $70,000, according to the site.
As for qualifications, a bachelor’s degree in either computer science or cybersecurity is normally required. A master’s degree in computer forensics can also help a candidate land a position.
What makes this particular career appealing, however, is that previous experience in the military or law enforcement can help offset a candidate’s lack of a degree, said Soroko.
“While a degree in computer science cybersecurity is beneficial, it’s not mandatory,” Soroko told Dice. “Professionals from fields like law enforcement or IT can transition into cyber forensics, often through specialized training. Certifications such as Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) or Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) are highly valued and can bolster credibility in the field. What is most important is attention to detail and the ability to think diagonally, or in other words, think like a hacker rather than a traditional IT staff member.”
For those looking to move into cybersecurity from a different field, or who aren’t pursuing a college education, a cyber forensic expert position could be particularly appealing because a lack of degree doesn’t disqualify you from a job.
“One of the great things about this field is its accessibility. While a degree in computer science or cybersecurity can certainly be beneficial, it's not always necessary,” Omri Weinberg, co-founder and chief revenue officer at DoControl, told Dice. “I've seen successful cyber forensic experts come from diverse backgrounds – law enforcement, traditional IT, even fields like psychology or criminology. What's most important is a strong analytical mindset, attention to detail and a passion for solving complex puzzles.”
While a degree or relevant experience can help, there are also several certifications associated with the cyber forensic expert position that can distinguish a candidate. Besides the CCE and CFCE, these include:
- GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)
- EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE)
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
Whether it’s a student pursuing a traditional computer science or cybersecurity degree, or a candidate coming from a non-traditional background, the cyber forensic expert position continues to grow as the threat landscape evolves and cybersecurity threats pose risks to organizations’ bottom line.
“For younger people considering this career path, I'd say it's an exciting field with plenty of growth potential. The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, which means you'll always be learning and facing new challenges,” Weinberg added. “It's also a field where you can make a real difference, helping organizations protect their data and, by extension, their customers.”
Cyber Forensic Experts: Advice for Students and Young Tech Pros
Experts noted that students and other aspiring tech professionals should start now to build the skill sets that they need to apply for these cyber forensic expert positions. This includes technical skills as well as soft skills, such as writing and communication, that this particular job requires.
“Younger people interested in this career should focus on developing strong analytical skills, attention to detail and a deep understanding of both legal and technical aspects of cybersecurity,” Soroko said. “They should also stay current with evolving technologies and cyber threats, as the field is dynamic and constantly changing.”
For Allison Heuwetter, the threat hunting team lead at Critical Start, basic skills for cyber forensic experts to learn include the various nuances between operating systems (Windows and Linux) as well as knowing how to navigate through artifacts to piece together the What, When, Where, Why and How of a cyber incident.
Once those are mastered, it’s developing the temperament to deal with the pressure that comes with responding to these types of incidents.
“Tools, certifications, and knowledge are always being updated, and it's important to stay current. Depending on the role, it can be high-pressure, with incidents happening at any time, day or night,” Heuwetter told Dice. “Responding quickly and calmly is key to creating a positive environment for customers when time is of the essence. With this field continuing to rapidly grow, there are plenty of opportunities to advance and specialize as you progress in your career.”