We have heard of admin staff and customer support teams working from home. But did you know detectives can conduct investigations remotely?
Technology continues to advance every day. The topic of its influence and existence, whether good or bad, is debatable and often brings out strong opinions from people with different perspectives. However, one thing is for sure, technology has provided means for a lot of people to access and land jobs even outside of a traditional work setup.
The emergence of remote work opportunities became apparent during the height of COVID-19. People were advised to isolate, leading to working from home. Now, several roles at the workplace have semi-permanently adapted to the remote setup. Truly, the advancement of technology and access to the internet has provided an efficient and income-generating arrangement and system between employers and remote workers.
Jobs like construction estimator, chemist formulator, medical researcher, attorney, and computer forensics analyst can now be performed and conducted even remotely.
What Is A Digital Forensic Analyst?
A digital forensic analyst plays a key role in cybersecurity and investigation teams. A report mentioned they are experts in gathering and analyzing data related to cyberattacks and illegal online activity.
According to an online post, the demand for forensic computer analysts first emerged with the rise of personal electronic devices. Extracting evidence from these devices required specialists who could navigate various technologies. The demand led the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to begin developing programs to assess computer evidence in 1984.
In recent decades, advances in computer forensics have improved criminal investigations.
Digital forensic analysts are also known as cyber investigators, information security specialists, cyber security analysts, network forensic examiners, forensic technicians, network analysts, or ethical hackers.
What Do They Do?
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) claims digital forensics analysts analyze digital evidence and investigate computer security incidents to derive useful information in support of system or network vulnerability mitigation.
Moreover, information security analysts also use their technical knowledge to figure out how a cybercrime was committed, what data was compromised, and who did it, and ensure the digital evidence is preserved in a forensically sound manner. They also help investigate other electronic crimes like computer fraud.
The field of computer forensics is the information security branch of law enforcement and is closely related to criminal justice and forensic science work. In relation, information acquired through the investigative process can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Duties And Responsibilities Of Digital Forensics Analysts
- Analyze log files, evidence, and other information to determine the best methods for identifying the perpetrators of a network intrusion
- Confirm what is known about an intrusion and discover new information, if possible, after identifying intrusion via dynamic analysis
- Provide a technical summary of findings under established reporting procedures
- Examine recovered data for information of relevance to the issue at hand
- Perform file signature analysis, and file system forensic analysis
- Collect and analyze intrusion artifacts like source code, malware, and system configuration and use discovered data to enable mitigation of potential cyber defense incidents within the enterprise
- Retrieve data from virtual and physical devices
- Reconstruct the series of events leading to a compromise or breach
- Collect, process, analyze, and preserve digital evidence in criminal cases
- Extract and analyze metadata
- Collaborate with law enforcement, as well as legal, compliance, and HR teams
- Ensure chain of custody of digital evidence
- Write technical reports to document case findings
- Identify potential threats and provide recommendations for better security
- Provide testimony in depositions, trials, and other legal proceedings
Skills And Qualifications Of Digital Forensics Analysts
Education and Certification
The traditional path to becoming a digital forensic analyst is to complete a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in digital forensics, cybersecurity, or another computer science-related field of study, according to an online report.
Many employers also recognize Cybersecurity Certificate programs. An individual with an undergraduate certificate in applied cybersecurity knows the foundations of cybersecurity, cyberattack prevention, incident response, how to detect adversaries, and a range of topics including penetration testing, digital forensics, and cloud security. The best-known certifications in the field are a GIAC-certified forensic examiner and a GIAC-certified forensic analyst.
Professional Experience
A person with the appropriate degree programs or certification is capable of securing an internship or entry-level role in the field of digital forensics. Landing a job is the start of gaining professional experience in the chosen career.
Even at an entry-level position, a digital forensic investigator will have the chance to utilize computer systems, operating systems, and other forensic tools.
Computer forensics analysts develop their different skills during employment. They will be familiar with writing reports, gathering evidence, sorting sensitive media, and securing data in storage media.
Hard Skills
- Technical knowledge
Digital forensics analysts should possess an advanced knowledge of digital storage methods, operating systems, programming, hacking techniques, and malware.
They should have the ability to operate various digital devices and computer hardware.
- Understand the Law
An individual aspiring to build a digital forensics career needs an intermediate level of understanding of the legal aspects of criminal investigations. Computer forensics professionals process data which they should comprehend in parallel with the laws.
- Cryptography
Most of the time, the data that a forensic computer analyst retrieves is encrypted. For this reason, digital forensics must understand encryption and decryption methods.
- Communication skills
Computer forensics analysts typically also act as private investigators. In the process of gathering electronic evidence and sensitive data, they sometimes get in touch with law enforcement agencies and other parties.
An individual with exceptional oral and written abilities can confidently get their thoughts and messages across. Proper communication skills can contribute to the success of any endeavor.
Soft Skills
- Desire to learn
A Computer forensic analyst must constantly update and expand their knowledge to stay current in the field, according to a report.
- Collaboration
Often, a computer forensics analyst works alongside a certified information privacy professional, law enforcement professionals, and other information technology support specialists.
Digital investigators may need to share ideas and cooperate with other organizations when they need to recover data, identify security breaches, assess network security, and perform other tasks.
- Ethics
Working in the field of computer science, a forensics analyst should possess an instinct to apply ethics at any given point when doing the job. A computer forensic analyst may sometimes be assigned to retrieve data from personal mobile phones and other digital devices. In the process, they may encounter personal information that they should know how to handle.
Can They Work From Home?
A digital forensics analyst and other similar roles like network analyst can now accomplish several tasks even in a remote work setup.
Law enforcement agencies and even private entities became unrestricted to hiring remote employees once they understood the benefits and cost-efficiency of outsourcing talents. Moreover, employers had access to a larger pool of qualified individuals. Government agencies and other private entities can now onboard the best candidate with the most outstanding credentials even if they live in another country.
How To Hire A Remote Investigator?
If you are interested in employing a digital forensics analyst and another similar specialist like a certified computer examiner, contact Remote Raven now.
Remote Raven is a legitimate workforce solutions company that connects employers to qualified Filipino remote service providers. As the employer, you may discuss your specific needs and requirements and the Recruitment Specialists of the company will handle the hiring process with the necessary security measures given the nature of the job.
Schedule an appointment with Remote Raven now and learn more about hiring a remote digital forensics analyst.
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