Developing Skills in Computer Forensics Investigation

Key Skills Learned in a Computer Science Concentration for Digital Investigations

As cybercrime continues to rise, so will the need for investigators with specialized digital skills. If you’re thinking about this for your future, consider what competencies you’ll need to develop, which degree programs and degree concentrations align with the knowledge areas relevant to computer forensics, and how they may support your interest in contributing to the field in a meaningful way.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity skills are critical to a computer forensics investigation. Studying cybersecurity will allow you to understand network vulnerabilities, attack methodologies and the inner workings of malware.

You’ll also learn how to trace the origins of a cyberattack, reconstruct events, identify compromised systems, spot malicious activity, recover deleted files and preserve the integrity of the evidence you locate.

Cryptography

Often, bad actors use encryption technology to hide their activities from others. To get to evidence that may be crucial to the investigation, you’ll need to know how to break that encryption to access files, recover passwords and uncover malicious activities.

Your cryptography courses will explore how to recognize encryption methods and algorithms, understand data concealment techniques and maintain the chain of custody to ensure evidence is admissible in court.

Digital Evidence Analysis

Your skills in digital evidence analysis will enable you to assist other investigators in uncovering hidden data, identifying deleted evidence, and understanding communication and activity patterns across networks and storage devices.

You can use data analysis to reconstruct the timeline of events, expose malicious intent and provide evidence that can be used to prove a case in court.

Cyber Laws and Ethics

An investigation that isn’t legally or ethically sound risks infringing on the rights of both suspects and victims. It can also compromise the admissibility of evidence in court. As evidence is gathered, investigators must adhere to search and seizure laws, electronic communication regulations and data privacy protocols.

Data Recovery

Criminals often attempt to cover their tracks by deleting or hiding files and communication logs. Your data recovery skills will help you retrieve vital evidence from storage and network devices even if it has been deleted, encrypted or hidden. This can help investigators identify perpetrators and piece together the sequence of events leading up to a cybercrime.

Forensic Tools

Exploring the field of computer forensics and what it involves requires working with specialized tools to gather, analyze and report digital evidence. These may include network analysis software, disk imaging and file carving programs and mobile device data extraction platforms.

New forensic tools are constantly being developed. As investigators develop their skills, they use these new tools to detect and extract data more accurately and efficiently.

What Can I Do After Studying Computer Forensics?

Many computer forensics investigators work in federal, state and local law enforcement roles. Police departments, sheriff’s offices, and the FBI rely on computer forensics experts to investigate or prevent cybercrimes that pose a risk to citizens’ safety.

Sometimes, government agencies contract with private firms that specialize in retrieving, analyzing, safeguarding and reporting digital evidence. Individuals attracted to this field may be able to expand their opportunities by working with one of these firms as a digital forensics expert.

Private companies and institutions not directly related to or serving law enforcement or government agencies can also present an attractive option for those learning how to become a computer forensics investigator.

These roles may lean heavily into cybersecurity. They may involve developing protocols to safeguard data and network systems, as well as investigating or mitigating the effects of data breaches and other cyberattacks.

Which Degree Program or Concentration Is Right for Me if I Want to Learn More about the Field of Computer Forensics?

This field exists at the intersection of criminal justice and computer forensics. Enrolling in a program that offers coursework in both areas is the best option. Your coursework will help you develop the skills to understand and contribute to cybercrime and digital data investigations.

Fortunately, University of Arkansas Grantham offers just what you’re looking for. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in computer forensics investigation. This degree covers foundational knowledge in topics like information security, crime scene investigation and criminal intelligence analysis.

Another way to learn more about this field of computer forensics investigations is to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science or cybersecurity. A degree that combines these two areas of study is even better. Topics may include assessing vulnerabilities, detecting anomalies, understanding and working with file encryption technologies and recovering the data necessary to pursue criminal charges or prove a case in court.

Develop Your Expertise in Computer Forensics With UA Grantham’s Comprehensive Computer Forensics Concentration in Criminal Justice

At UA Grantham, our goal is to help you acquire the computer forensics skills you need. That’s why we offer a low cost per credit hour, one of the lowest in the United States, according to collegecost.ed.gov. As a military-friendly institution, we offer a military aid program to service members, veterans and their families.

We also help remove barriers to getting an excellent education with our no-cost application and a complimentary laptop included for all students enrolled in degree programs.

We understand that flexibility is key, so we support a healthy balance with eight-week terms that start monthly and programs that are completed entirely online. Classes have weekly assignment due dates so you can fit your studies around your busy schedule.

We make sure that you can get academic help when you need it through our student learning center, which offers four hours of no-cost tutoring per month. If you’re looking to enhance your knowledge and skillset, UA Grantham has the resources you need to get to the next level.