How to Become a Digital Forensics Analyst

Recently, we explained why cybersecurity is so important, why you should consider getting your degree in the field, and what you can do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity.

Here, we’ll discuss how to land one of the best jobs in the industry, the role of a digital forensics analyst.

Digital forensics analysts play an extremely important role in helping organizations recover data that has been deleted, damaged, stolen, or otherwise manipulated, and provide evidence in various legal proceedings.

In this post, we’ll explain why you should think about becoming a digital forensics analyst, what your responsibilities would be in this role, why you should earn your degree before applying to related jobs, and what you can do to increase your chances of having a long and successful career in the industry.

After you’ve learned everything you need to know about becoming a digital forensics analyst, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our fully online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity.

If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

What is Cybersecurity and Why Is It Important?

Cybersecurity is a collection of technologies, processes, systems, and practices designed to protect networks, information, and other digital assets from attacks, damage, or unauthorized access. 

Some specific examples of cybersecurity applications include:

• In e-commerce – Companies that operate entirely online rely on cybersecurity practices to protect customer data, various transactions, and other important information from being accessed by unauthorized users. 
• In software – Cybersecurity methods are used by companies who utilize various software programs to ensure their processes and technology cannot be overtaken by external users, and that malicious code is not implanted into their systems.
• In energy – Providers of critical energy such as natural gas operate massive power grids digitally. These companies rely on innovative cybersecurity principles to keep power grids online and secure.
• In government – Cybersecurity practices are used to recover stolen data from unauthorized users as well as to collect evidence in legal proceedings to convict cybercriminals.

Looking at the list above, you can see that cybersecurity principles are being applied in many different industries to make secure digital processes, data, and systems from various cyber threats. 

Is Becoming a Digital Forensics Analyst a Good Career Option?

Yes, the role of a digital forensics analyst is a great career opportunity for anybody that is interested in working in a growing, high-technology industry.

There are three excellent reasons to consider becoming a digital forensics analyst, including:

1. Digital forensics analysts have the incredibly interesting job of assisting companies and various law enforcement agencies tasked with researching and preventing cyberattacks.
2. The job of a digital forensics analyst is a great career option for anyone looking to earn an excellent salary, as Glassdoor.com reported the average annual salary of this position was $75,130 as of January 29, 2022.
3. Demand for digital forensics analysts is expected to see incredible growth, as RaiseMe reports that job growth for the sector between 2016 through 2026 could be as high as 17%.

If you’re interested in a challenging technology-focused career in an industry that is set to see big growth in the years ahead, then you should certainly consider the role of digital forensics analyst. 

What Do Digital Forensics Analysts Actually Do?

As a digital forensics analyst may be responsible for working with law enforcement agencies to assist companies who have suffered from cyberattacks to analyze damages, breakthrough security countermeasures, and retrieve relevant data.

Some of the most typical tasks for digital forensics analysts include:

• Implementing specific forensic tools and investigative methods to find or retrieve confidential data and other digital assets.
• Drafting investigative reports, outlining how cyberattacks penetrated defensives and what was taken or damaged.
• Gathering evidence of specific cyberattacks to be used in official court proceedings.
• Tracing hacks or other malicious cyber threats back to their origin, and communicating with law enforcement agencies.
• Analyzing large amounts of data to determine where and how specific cyberattacks happened and what level of damage was inflicted on systems.

The role of a digital forensics analyst requires advanced technical skills and expertise in dealing with complex problems, which is why it is so important to have prior training before entering this challenging field.

If you are looking to break into the cybersecurity industry, you’re going to need to develop a set of advanced skills and abilities before any employer is willing to hire you as a digital forensics analyst.

The best way to develop the critical skills you need in this industry is to earn your degree in cybersecurity.

What Skills & Abilities Are Needed to Become a Successful Digital Forensics Analyst?

To succeed at getting a job in this challenging and competitive industry, there are several key skills you will need to develop.

According to CisoMag, you should focus on developing these fundamental skills:

• Technical & Analytical Skills – You need knowledge, skills, and abilities in several analytical and technical cybersecurity principles to effectively analyze and assess the large amounts of data that is inherent in investigating cybercrimes.
• Familiarity with Networking Concepts – In order to collect digital evidence and assess cyberattacks you must understand how data is transmitted across various networks.
• Strong Communication Skills – Digital forensics analysts will regularly have to communicate complicated technical terms and practices to judges, executives, and other audiences in a way that they can easily understand.
• Command Over Cybersecurity Concepts – To succeed in this role you will have to understand the basic concepts of cybersecurity including how to handle threats, how to stop data breaches, and how to work with various programming languages.
• Attention to Detail – Being able to think from an attacker’s point of view will be important for this position, and you’ll also need great attention to detail since you will have to be extremely organized when collecting evidence and assessing damages done by various cyberattacks.
• Researching Skills – Cybersecurity is a technology-focused industry that is constantly changing and innovating. As a digital forensics analyst, you will have to regularly research new tactics, strategies, and principles of cyber security.

The most efficient way to build the critical knowledge, skills, and abilities you’ll need as a digital forensics analyst is to complete a relevant degree, such as CSU Global’s Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity.

Our fully online program was designed to provide you with everything you need to launch a successful and fulfilling career in this highly competitive industry.

Finishing our program ensures you will have the knowledge, confidence, and experience to provide immediate value as you begin your new and exciting career.

Do I Really Need a Degree in Cybersecurity to Get a Job in The Industry?

Not necessarily, although earning your degree in cybersecurity could significantly increase your chances of getting one of the good jobs in an industry that is extremely competitive.

Indeed.com recommends that anyone looking to become a digital forensics analyst earn at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field before applying for related roles.

Indeed suggests that you can break into the field by earning one of several degrees, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. 

CSU Global offers all three of these programs, and while we suggest the cybersecurity program as the best fit, you should know that the other two degrees are also excellent options for developing the important skills and abilities needed to succeed in this complex industry.

Completing any of these programs with us here at CSU Global will both allow you to complete your studies online, as well as gain the essential experience and practical knowledge employers will be looking for when hiring new digital forensics analysts.

How Will CSU Global’s B.S in Cybersecurity Help Prepare me for a Career as a Digital Forensics Analyst?

Our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity is built to prepare you for the major tasks and responsibilities of a digital forensics analyst, including tasks like:

• Extracting data from various digital devices including cell phones, computers, cameras, and more to gather or recover important evidence and data.
• Accessing encrypted or deleted files and information to gather evidence, recover stolen digital assets, or to assess vulnerabilities in current systems.
• Working with law enforcement agencies to compile evidence and build criminal cases against cybercriminals.
• Writing in-depth reports to submit to judges, executives, or regulatory bodies.

Once you’ve been admitted into the program, you’ll be provided the chance to develop all the necessary skills and critical knowledge needed to succeed as a digital forensics analyst, as we’ll train you to:

• Analyze complex data and computing problems to apply principles of computing and other important disciplines to find creative solutions. 
• Design, implement, and evaluate various computing solutions to assess competency and find other areas for improvement.
• Effectively breakdown complex cybersecurity principles and theories into clear and concise terms for a variety of different business and law enforcement audiences.
• Work within or lead diverse teams to accomplish goals and meet strict deadlines.
• Apply security principles and best practices to better understand the intricacies of various cyberthreats.

Prepared with the foundational knowledge and important skills required to succeed in this challenging industry, your cybersecurity degree from CSU Global could play a significant role in helping you begin your career as a digital forensics analyst.

What Else Can I Do to Increase My Chances of Success?

Completing a degree in cybersecurity is definitely the best way to prepare you for a successful career, but it’s not the only thing you can do to improve your odds of achieving success.

According to Edusum.com, completing a computer forensics certification program could help you stand out from other job applications and help you build the key skills and hands-on experience employers are looking for.

Edusum explains that the work you’ll do in a certification program will assist you in mastering the essential skills and principles that digital forensics analysts require, as well as helping to strengthen your resume.

They suggest considering the following computer forensics certifications:

• EC-Council’s Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) V9 Certificate.
• The International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) Credential.
• The Worldwide Society of Forensic Computer Examiners Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) Certificate.
• The Cyber Security Institute’s Cyber Security Forensic Analyst (CSFA) Certificate.

While you don’t need to complete a certification program to get a job as a digital forensics analyst, this is an extremely competitive industry, so you should absolutely do everything in your power to make sure your job application stands out.

The amount of time and effort you put into building your skills, abilities, and knowledge could not only help you get hired, but also enable you to provide real value to an organization from your first day on the job.

Should I Get My Degree in Cybersecurity Online?

Yes, we recommend getting your degree online, as there are several compelling reasons to pick an online program over in-person learning.

First, earning your cybersecurity degree online will allow you to learn important cybersecurity concepts from the comfort of your own home, saving you a substantial amount of time and money by avoiding commuting back and forth from campus.

Online programs give your much more freedom and flexibility as to when you complete your studies when compared to in-person classes.

Choosing to study with CSU Global ensures you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits that come from studying online, but our completely online programs offer other benefits as well, including:

• No requirements to show up at set times or in physical locations.
• Monthly class starts.
• Accelerated courses.

These benefits will be especially helpful for those who have busy working and family lives and who need to be able to choose when and where they complete their assignments and schoolwork.

If you’re worried about being able to find enough time to complete your schooling, then you should certainly think about getting your degree online with us at CSU Global.

Why Should I Choose CSU Global’s Cybersecurity Program?

Our completely online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity was designed to provide you with everything you need to launch a successful, lifelong career as a digital forensics analyst.

This program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, so you can be sure that your degree will earn the respect of hiring managers, while also providing you with real value as you seek to launch or advance your career in the cybersecurity industry.

Our program is also sure to help set your resume apart from other applications, as it holds several impressive rankings, including:

• A #3 ranking on Top 10 Onlne Cyber Security Undergraduate Certificate Programs for 2021 from Security Degree Hub.
• A #10 ranking on Best Online Cyber Security Degree Programs of 2022 from Intelligent.

Furthermore, CSU Global itself is widely regarded as an industry leader in higher education, having recently earned several excellent rankings, including:

• A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.
• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges. 

Finally, we offer affordable tuition rates, and a Tuition Guarantee which guarantees your tuition won’t increase as long as you remain enrolled as a student with us.

To get additional details about our fully-accredited online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!