Crime is increasingly digital. From identity theft to credit card fraud, cyberstalking to ransomware, staying safe online and tracking down bad agents requires more technical know-how than ever. Traditional investigative methods are no longer enough; digital evidence is often the key to solving criminal cases.
As law enforcement officers continue to rely on digital forensics in their work, professionals hoping to enter the field need to differentiate themselves with training in gathering digital evidence. A digital forensics degree helps today’s law enforcement officers adapt, gain critical tech skills, and remain effective crime-solvers in the digital age.
Digital forensics is the practice of collecting, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence for use in investigations and court. From devices recovered from accident sites to those obtained through warrants, digital forensics enables law enforcement professionals to paint a more comprehensive picture of events leading up to crimes or tragedies.
Why is digital forensics important? Most modern crimes have digital footprints. Just as each person has a unique fingerprint, their online and on-device activities provide an individualized history of their actions and motivations. Phones, laptops, the internet of things (IoT), and cloud data all contribute to a digital footprint, and investigators can use each to learn more about suspects and victims.
Traditional policing has relied on physical evidence, such as fingerprints and eyewitness testimony, to determine key details of cases. While these methods are still crucial to establishing baseline evidence, they often do not tell the whole story of an incident.
By leveraging digital evidence like encrypted devices, mobile data, and online activity, law enforcement can better understand the nature of individual crimes and the extent of an individual’s involvement. Couple this with the rise of surveillance and cell phone towers pinpointing locations, and officials have a more robust toolkit to use when solving crime.
Officers well-versed in physical evidence and investigation can easily upskill and apply their practiced principles to digital evidence. This transition can involve pursuing roles like digital forensic investigator or digital forensic analyst, where individuals will leverage evolving digital forensics software and cyber investigation methods.
In addition to the standard best practices for investigations, those looking to break into digital forensics should invest in these facets of the field.
Some key skills needed to succeed in digital forensics include:
Imaging Windows, Mac, mobile, and Internet of Things Systems: Understanding where to look on these devices and how to make the images and information found accessible to those in law enforcement departments and courts is a crucial part of digital forensics. From X-raying the hardware to cracking into the software, imaging and analyzing these technologies is essential to justice.
Recovering Deleted Files: The internet is forever, but criminals often try to cover their tracks both online and on their devices by deleting files. Learning how to recover and preserve these pieces of evidence can help prosecutors bring justice to victims and their families.
Digital Evidence Collection: Collecting and compiling digital evidence is an art in itself. From knowing how to search in overlooked corners of devices to the ability to collect relevant details in a sea of data, digital investigators need to be well-versed in gathering digital evidence.
Preserving Chain of Custody: Documenting who gathered what evidence and how is still vital when it comes to digital evidence. Organizational skills come in handy when adding digital proof to the collection of physical evidence.
Pursuing specialized certifications can help expand your knowledge base and help you stand out from other candidates. The two most common digital forensic certifications are Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (CDFE) and Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE). Both of these equip you with the necessary competencies to assist law enforcement teams with gathering, organizing, and presenting digital evidence as they make their cases.
Careers in digital forensics can come from many different partnerships. Professionals can work:
What’s the difference between cybersecurity and digital forensics?
Cybersecurity is the broader field of ensuring individuals and nations are safe from attacks, fraud, and other digital dangers. Digital forensics involves collecting digital evidence and using it to bring justice to victims and their families. The two can work together when a cybercrime has occurred, and digital forensics is collected to explain the crime and prevent future attacks.
Is getting a digital forensics certification enough?
No. In order to excel in this field, you likely need to receive in-depth training. The hours you put in through a master’s degree allow you to more effectively show you’re ready for an advanced position.
How long does it take to complete a master’s in digital forensics?
A graduate degree in digital forensics typically takes around 21 months to complete, giving you skills to advance your career in less than 2 years.
Can I work while completing my degree?
Yes! While graduate school can be demanding on your schedule, many digital forensics programs (including ours) are offered online, providing much-needed flexibility in your schedule to continue working while studying.
Crime is evolving. Officers who invest in their education and upskilling to meet the demands of a digital crime landscape will stay prepared and effective in their field.
At Neumann University, we prepare law enforcement professionals and those interested in joining the field of digital forensics. Our fully online Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Forensics combines a state-of-the-art virtual lab environment with mentorship from faculty to provide real-world law enforcement expertise.
The program combines six core courses to give students a broad scope of understanding in the cybersecurity field, plus specialized tracks in either cybersecurity or digital forensics, so you can decide which focus to pursue. Our virtual lab provides enterprise-grade networking equipment, advanced firewall systems, forensic workstations, and cloud platforms that students can access from anywhere in the world.
To learn more about our program, download the guide, Neumann University's Online Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics Guide. You can also connect with us to receive more information.