Computer forensics is a fast-growing career field, offering immense potential for jobs in law enforcement, military, intelligence agencies, corporations, and businesses. The job opportunities are skyrocketing, commensurate with the rapid spurt in computer crimes.
Computer crimes, in the beginning, had only a sporadic occurrence. Now, it has become a fact of life that has to be dealt with by law enforcement agencies. As computer applications and the Internet have become inseparable parts of life, the instances of wrong-doing with the help of computers are the order of the day.
For tackling crimes, the computers themselves have to be scanned thoroughly to determine whether they have been used for illegal or unauthorized activities or frauds.
This can be done only by computer forensic experts who gain the tools through on-the-job experience, certification programs, and other qualifications.
Computer forensic professionals are known by many titles, such as computer forensic investigators, digital media analysts, and digital forensics detectives. Each one describes the same career as it is concerned with the investigation of digital media.
A computer forensic specialist earns salaries ranging from $85,000 to $120,000 per year, depending upon one’s skills and experience and the company and organizations he works for. Private companies offer more lucrative salaries than law enforcement agencies.
A graduate degree in computer forensics can help advance the career, making one eligible for positions as forensic team leaders or bureau supervisors. Fifty percent of FBI jobs require computer forensic applications.
Consulting is an attractive field for computer forensic professionals, as they are independent and free agents. They take up assignments at will and charge hefty sums for their time spent on the job. They bill the client per hour. The hourly remuneration ranges from $375 to $600, depending upon the kind of job they complete.
There will be an ever-increasing demand for qualified security and computer forensic professionals. Computer and networking skills no longer suffice as security is of prime importance for the server, work station, or router.