What Is Computer Forensics
School, Jobs & Training for PC Forensics

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What is computer forensics?

Find out here & learn the best computer forensics schools & training needed to land one of the many PC computer forensics jobs

You may be interested in a digital investigation career, but the question you first need answered is this: what is computer forensics exactly?

On the surface of things, the answer is pretty obvious.

Computer forensics is the investigation of computer-related crimes by specialists. But the job is far more complex than it sounds.

Computer forensics specialists use a variety of means to identify, recover, and analyze evidence that may be used in a criminal or misdemeanor investigation.

What Is Computer Forensics
Tools & Equipment Used

The many pieces of electronic equipment they may need to analyze include:

• Hard drives
• Backup storage
• Servers
• Databases
• Websites
• Digital Cameras
• And more

The job is more than just an examination of personal computers--it's an investigation of all different forms of digital media.

Computer Forensics Training

Getting trained as a computer forensics investigator is essential. This isn't a job you can just decide to do. You need the qualifications to do it right.

The ever-evolving world of computers and digital media is home to all kinds of criminals. And as the technology becomes more advanced and complex, so does the crime.

In order to keep on the cutting edge of computer technology, forensics experts need to have a working knowledge of many software programs, utilities, tools, and the ways in which various crimes can be committed.

And in order for them to get a job in the computer forensics world, potential investigators need to earn their place by getting the proper training.

There are various computer forensics certifications you can get to help you attain that job. Some of them include:

• CCE Certification
• EnCE Certification
• CFCE Certification
• And more

By going to a computer forensics school, either on campus, by correspondence, or online, you can begin down the path to a lucrative career in this growing industry.

Computer Forensics Jobs

When you think of a computer forensics career, law enforcement is probably the first thing to come to mind. And it's true, a great many computer forensics investigators work with the police, sheriff's office, FBI, CIA, and other enforcement agencies. But there are certainly more options than that.

There are, in fact, four other main sectors in which you can work in this field: military, finance, consultation, and education.

In the military, you can expect to be working primarily in the intelligence field. In the world of finance, you will be working to prevent and track down money-related crimes or acts of misconduct. If you gain enough experience, you can go to work for yourself or another company in the consulting field--making a very large paycheck if you do.

Others prefer to share the wealth of information they've attained by teaching future computer forensics investigators in the land of academia.

Computer Forensics Salary

The job of the computer forensics investigator is a difficult one. You must be totally driven to see a job through to completion, have the perseverance to employ every tool at your disposal, and be willing to work long hours on particularly difficult cases. You will have to spend a good deal of time sitting down and working on a computer or PDA. This is the difficult territory you will be required to navigate as a computer forensics specialist.

But there's a pretty great reward if you can handle the work: a nicely sized paycheck.

Those who work in the public sector (law enforcement, finance, education, etc.) can expect to make anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000 per year on average.

But if you have the experience to work as a private consultant, you can make much more than that. $120,000 is a fairly common annual income for such consultants, but the sky's truly the limit for these qualified specialists.

As with any other profession, it all depends on how well you like the job, how hard you're willing to work, and how much you want to become a success in your chosen field.

Get FREE Info From Schools Subject: Criminology Criminal Justice Corrections Crime Scene Investigation Criminal Justice Administration Forensic Science and Technology Forensic Psychology Forensic Nursing Forensic Accounting Emergency and Crisis Management Fire Science Fire Services Administration Homeland Security and Terrorism Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement Police Law School Legal Studies Court Reporting - Legal Transcription Legal Administration and Assisting Legal Administrative Assistant - Secretary Legal Office Management and Administration Paralegal - Legal Assistant Public Safety and Personal Safety Security and Loss Prevention Services Computer Crimes Cyber Security Private and Public Investigations Security Services Administration - Management Degree: - Select All Degrees - Associate's Bachelor's Master's Doctoral Certificates Diplomas Zip Code: (optional) Online Campus Both

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