Computer Forensics Schools and Training

• Find a Computer Forensics School
• Find Computer Forensics Requirements and Training Information
• Find Computer Forensics Career Salary Information

Computer crime is one of the fastest-growing types of crime in the world. With the Internet expanding, and email and texting becoming so common, personal and corporate computers and hand-held devices have become extremely vulnerable to attack. This has created an increased need for computer forensics analysts and investigators.

What Do Computer Forensics Investigators Do?

Computer forensics investigators are trained to combat crimes ranging from crimes against children to file system recovery on hacked or damaged computers. Computer forensics investigators—also known as a computer forensics specialists—recover data from digital media that will be used in criminal proceedings. Digital media refers to all methods of electronic data storage and transfer devices including computers, laptops, cell phones, PDAs and the documents, images, spreadsheets and other types of files stored on these devices. Once a computer forensics investigator retrieves the necessary information, they will prepare very detailed written reports on the collected data that will later be presented in court. Part of a computer forensics investigator's job is to testify in court regarding the information they recover and the methods they used to get that information.

Computer forensics consulting firms and freelance computer forensic investigators are also hired by large corporations to test the security of their information systems. Computer forensic specialists will mimic how a malicious hacker might attempt to gain access to a corporation's computer network. But the best place to get the training you need is in computer forensics school.

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Requirements to Become a Computer Forensics Investigator

Computer forensics is such a new field that there have not been consistent requirements to become an analyst. Many individuals get their computer forensics training and skills by working in law enforcement or the military. Now that more colleges are offering computer forensics degrees and related information systems (security degrees/cyber crime degrees), education has become an important requirement to stay competitive in the industry. This includes continuing education once you've found a job to stay current in this rapidly changing field.

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Computer Forensics Training

We wanted to put together a collection of the training and skills you should look for in computer forensics programs to prepare you for a career in computer forensics. We consulted with leaders in the field of computer forensics and compiled their thoughts. Here's what they had to say:

Individuals should take courses in incident handling, investigation, management, protection, detection and reaction. They should study Internet crimes against people and children, learn about presenting digital evidence at trial, network security intrusion and detection, personal digital device forensics and advanced-file system recovery. Law and business are also critical to success in a computer forensics career.

One expert also emphasized that a comprehensive knowledge of UNIX and NT is essential to retrieving deleted files and evidence of breaches in system security. We were also told that advanced knowledge of networking and routing has become increasingly important with the growth of the Internet and email.

All of the experts we spoke with agreed that individuals with a desire to become computer forensics investigators should begin by earning a degree in computer forensics or a related degree such as information systems security or cyber crime.

Information systems security and computer forensics degrees are offered at the associate's, bachelor's and master's degree levels. An associate's degree along with a law enforcement internship is sometimes enough to be hired by a police department as a computer forensics investigator. Associate's also transition well into bachelor's degrees. Graduate degrees are usually 2-year programs and will advance your career and significantly increase your salary in computer forensics. Some computer forensics careers require certifications such as, CISSP, CISM, CISA or CCSP.

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Computer Forensics Investigator Job Outlook and Salary

Computer forensic jobs are forecasted to grow faster than average with most of the job growth being in law enforcement agencies and corporations. For individuals with a master's degree, growth in freelance and consulting firms will be significant. Computer forensics salaries vary a lot depending on whether you work for a law enforcement agency or in a corporate setting and on your level of education. According to payscale.com, a computer forensics investigator salary can range from $48,211 to over $76,838 annually, although bonuses can add to those salaries. Freelancers and those working in consulting firms can earn even more.

Request free information from the fully accredited online schools below. The degree programs offered here will provide you with the skills to succeed as a computer forensics investigator.