Digital Forensic Application

Digital Forensic Application

Introduction

Computer forensics involves collecting digital evidence, analyzing it, and presenting it for legal processes (Harbawi & Varol, 2016). This would include collecting fingerprints on electronic devices, blood stains, and audit logs for activities conducted on an electronic device. Therefore, digital evidence is an integral part of a lawsuit involving cybercrime. Consistently, computer forensic investigators work in computer forensics (Humphries, 2019). Organizations can hire or outsource these investigators to run forensics at specific periods.

Importance of Computer Forensics

Without computer forensics, most cybercriminals would go unpunished. This is because computer forensics enables organizations to monitor cyberspace, detect unusual activities, and resolve them (Harbawi & Varol, 2016). When cybercriminals are taken to court, the law requires that substantial digital evidence is provided before the criminals are declared guilty. Therefore, the criminals would be acquitted if computer forensic investigators failed to deliver digital proof. Based on this, computer forensics is essential in protecting cyberspaces by facilitating the prosecution of cybercriminals. If cybercriminals are not prosecuted, cybercrimes will increase, leading to cyberspaces that are not secure.

The Need for Computer Forensics

Cybercrimes have been on the rise as the use of electronic devices has increased over the decade (Humphries, 2019). This has led to an increase in demand for computer forensic investigators. Can cyberspace be safe only when cybercriminals are brought to justice? Cybercrimes are estimated to have increased by 15% in the last ten years (Humphries, 2019). Digital forensics dates back to the early 2000s and has grown in demand (Harbawi & Varol, 2016). Based on the growth in cybercrimes, the demand for computer forensics investigators is estimated to increase by 17% from 2016 to 2026 (Harbawi & Varol, 2016).

Becoming a Computer Forensics Investigator

To become a computer forensics investigator, education, skills, and training are required (Humphries, 2019). A person must have a post-secondary education, preferably an undergraduate degree in computer forensics, cybersecurity, or any other related discipline. This would ensure that one learns the standards and practices of computer forensics (Humphries, 2019). Some skills are also required to become a computer forensics investigator. These include analytical skills, attention to detail, communication skills, and willingness to learn (Humphries, 2019). Digital evidence requires a lot of preciseness. Therefore, attention to detail would ensure that an investigator does not miss some items for evidence. It would also need an investigator with excellent analytical skills to ensure that the evidence collected is thoroughly analyzed and presented to the relevant authorities (Humphries, 2019). The presentation would require an investigator to have excellent communication skills so that the targeted audience properly explains and understands the report. Formal education and skills would not be adequate to make a computer forensic investigator. Therefore, training computer forensic investigators after recruitment is also crucial in ensuring that the investigators acquire hands-on experience (Humphries, 2019). This would be done by shadowing experienced computer forensic investigators on forensic assignments.

Conclusion

Computer forensics is essential in detecting and resolving cybercrimes. Subsequently, becoming a computer forensics investigator requires a formal education in a related field. He also requires strong analytical skills, communication skills, learning ability, and attention to detail. Notably, there has been a notable increase in cybercrimes in the past decade due to the increased use of electronic devices. This necessitates the need for more computer forensic investigators. The demand for these investigators is expected to increase by 17% from 2016 to 2026.

References

Harbawi, M., & Varol, A. (2016, April). The Role of Digital Forensics in Combating Cybercrimes [Paper presentation]. 4th International Symposium on Digital Forensics and Security, Little Rock, AR. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303393656_The_role_of_digital_forensics_in_combating_cybercrimes

Humphries, G. L. (2019). EDUCATING THE EFFECTIVE DIGITAL FORENSICS PRACTITIONER: ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL, GRADUATE AND STUDENT PERSPECTIVES [Doctoral dissertation]. https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/download/6dc84e71dec489b68dbe3994f8ba4cbfc440e1c462b7e0ca135c5d59b08b33fc/11536276/Final%20thesis.pdf

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For this assignment, you will explore your possible future role in this field by researching employment prospects for computer forensics investigators. Compose an essay on this topic. In your essay, be sure to include the following components.
• Explain the importance of computer forensics.
• Describe why the need for computer forensic examiners will be in demand over the coming years. Include statistics detailing the growth of certain cybercrimes.
• Explain the skills, training, and education required to become a computer forensics investigator.
Your essay must be at least two pages long and use two academic sources. You should also include an introduction and conclusion section in your essay. Adhere to APA Style when creating citations and references for this assignment. APA formatting, however, is not necessary.