An
article in The Dallas Morning News on
page 1J in the March 17, 2013 edition “Careers in Computer Forensics” by Allan
Hoffman, Monster Tech Jobs Expert, is another article published by The Dallas
News in its series honoring National Criminal Justice Month.
A
specialist in computer forensics is more than a computer guru. It is not enough for one to be an expert in bits
and bytes, but he/she should also be an alert investigator - thinks and acts
like Columbo.
Here
is an example of a job description for a computer forensics
Computer
Forensics Job Description
A Closer Look at the Role
of a Computer Forensics Technician
For individuals who are
both tech savvy and have a desire to analyze and investigate, a computer
forensics job could be a rewarding one. A computer forensics specialist
examines computer hard drives, storage devices like flash drives, cell phones,
PDAs, tablets, MP3 players, smart phones, electronic notebooks, video game
consoles or any other electronic device that may hold evidence that could be
used in a court of law.
The extent of the
analyses could be as simple as a personal computer or as complex as a main
server for a large corporation. A computer forensics job description includes a
balance of technological, investigative and informative skills. It also
includes the ability to preserve and present finding so that they may be used
as admissible evidence in a court of law. With the ubiquity of technological
devices for storage and communication, computer forensics professionals are in
higher demand.
Computer
forensics job descriptions comprise of many essential skills. These include:
·
Technological
Skills - A firm working knowledge of various
operating and network systems, encryption programs and data retrieval
procedures and the ability to provide IT support.
·
Analytical
Skills - The ability to analyze digital data and
think outside the box as an investigator.
·
Communication
Skills - The ability to communicate findings
orally (i.e. in court), in writing and to communicate cohesively with all
members of the investigative team/organization/corporation.'
A cursory search on the Internet finds
numerous links to training opportunities for computer forensics jobs. If you
enjoy solving problems, scavenger hunts, and have an interest in criminal
justice, perhaps you should “investigate” a career in computer forensics.
Please
post a comment or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com your thoughts about a career
in criminal justice.
Thanks, Glyn