Help Solve Computer Related Crimes: Digital Forensics
Are you a tech-savy person who loves working with the computers and the Internet? Would you like to put your skills to the test by recovering the data and investigating the digital devices that are related to digital crimes? With a degree in digital forensics you can learn the skills that are needed in both private investigation and criminal law. It is the type of degree that can prove invaluable if you would like to follow a career path where you get to track down hackers, determine where computer attacks came from, recover data that was stolen or assist in investigating other types of crimes that involves computers and technology. If you have a passion for technology and the law, then you can't go wrong with a digital forensics degree.
Digital Forensics Degree Information
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology - Digital Forensics Technology
The Bachelor of Digital Forensics Technology is a concentration of Information Technology. This degree program can typically be completed online and courses featured in this major usually include Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems, Computer Architecture, Systems Analysis and Development, Networking Security Fundamentals and Human Computer Interaction. Courses in this concentration may range from Network Server Administration to Computer Forensic Technology and Network Penetration Testing.
Master of Science in Digital Forensics
The Master of Science in Digital Forensics is a degree program that can be completed either online or at a campus. The length of this type of degree program is typically 30 to 36 credit hours and requires students to have already earned a baccalaureate degree. may consists of courses such as Digital Security, Network Cyber Security, Digital Forensics Investigation, File Systems Forensics, Cyber Law as well as electives.
Certificate In Digital Forensics
Digital forensics can also be studied online via a post-baccalaureate certificate program. The coursework for this 18-credit hour program can typically be done completely online. In order to be eligible for this type of certificate, students must have already completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and have a degree or experience in information technology. Courses for this certificate may include While Collar Crime, Foundations of Justice, File Systems Forensic Analysis, Windows Forensic Examinations and Incident Response and Evidence Collection.
Digital Forensics Degree FAQ
Is It Possible To Earn A Digital Forensics Degree Online?
If you are already working of have family obligations, it can be a challenge to attend a campus based degree program. However, there are a number of online degree programs available in the field of digital forensics that allow you the flexibility to study when and where it suits you the most. These degrees are particularly useful for people who are already working in information technology, who would like to increase their skills and open up new career paths within the industry. Although online master's degrees are the most common in this field, there are also some bachelor's degrees in digital forensics that can be completed online. In order to take part in an online degree program you need access to a computer or laptop with an internet connection.
Who Would Ben An Ideal Candidate To Study Digital Forensics?
Digital forensics is a very technical field, so the most obvious quality to have would be an interest and some type of experience with computers. This is why many institutions that offer this type of degree recommend that students have an existing background in programming and computing. In addition, you need to have excellent analytical skills as this will play a vital role in any investigation process. People who work in digital forensics are very organized and they also have great communication skills as it is a field where you work within a team most of the time.
What Type of Career Options Might Be Available To Me With A Degree In Digital Forensics?
As the Internet continues to become a larger and larger part of not just our daily lives, but also the business world, it also opens up new avenues for digital crimes. The complexities of some of these crimes require people with special skills to investigate them and gather the evidence. This is where people with degrees in digital forensics come in.
Depending on the type of degree that you have earned and your level of experience, there may be a couple of different employment options available to you in this field. These include information security professional, forensic computer analyst, information security analyst, malware analyst, information technology auditor, security consultant, computer forensics examiner, mobile forensics expert and much more. People who work in this type of industry are often employed by government agencies, defense contractors, government system integrators, the military, local law enforcement as well as consulting firms.
What Type of Duties Might I Have When Employed In This Field?
While your specific duties might vary depending on what type of career you chose as well as your employer, there are a couple of common responsibilities among people working in this field. These include identifying where the data related to a crime or investigation is stored, recovering this data if needed, preserving the data, then analyzing it before presenting the findings.
How Much Can I Potentially Earn With A Degree In Digital Forensics?
A degree in digital forensics can open the doors to a number of different career paths, so your potential income will depend on which one you choose. Other factors, such as where you live and how much experience you have in this industry can also impact your salary in a significant manner. While there is no specific salary information for digital forensics specialists on the United States Department of Labor Statistics website, they indicate that the median pay for information security analysts, which is a related occupation, is about $95,510 per year.
What Are The Other Benefits Of Studying Digital Forensics?
Since digital forensics is such a growing field, it means that this type of degree can help to prepare you for a number of interesting careers. However, studying digital forensics can be very beneficial for any type of job in information technology as it can also make you more knowledgeable about stopping cyber attacks.
