Digital Forensics Analyst
Analyzes digital evidence and investigates computer security incidents to derive information in support of system/network vulnerability mitigation.
Annual openings
74
BLS median wage
$84,010
Typical education
Flexible / varies by employer
10-year growth
+15%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Flexible / varies by employer
Credential requirement
A credential is recommended.
Credential detail
Certifications addressing system security, network infrastructure, access control, cryptography, assessments and audits, organizational security, new attack vectors (emphasis on cloud computing technology, mobile platforms and tablet computers), new vulnerabilities, existing threats to operating environments, incident handling (identification, overview and preparation) buffer overflow, client attacks, denial of service attacks, incident handling (containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned), network attacks, password attacks, reconnaissance, scanning (discovery and mapping techniques and defense), session hijacking and cache poisoning, techniques for maintaining access, web applications attacks, worms, and bots.
Experience detail
Previous experience addressing sensor operations, information assurance, networks, intelligence analysis as well as in Financial, Accounting, & Risk Analysis or Security, Intelligence, & Law Enforcement jobs.
Remote work
Some companies (information technology companies for example) and jobs (such as call center support) offer the opportunity for staff to work remotely, including from rural locations. To see if a job offers this opportunity, please review job postings from job banks such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed or ConnectingColorado, and look for key words such as "location independent", "remote", "virtual", "telecommute", "flex" or for companies posting the same job in many locations.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Law Enforcement
Automation exposure
Moderate exposure
Some routine tasks may shift as tools improve, but the role is likely to adapt.
A typical day
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.