Computer Forensics Salary

Computer forensics salary graph has seen an incline, as cyber crime has gone up and the preference for data storage has gone from the traditional paper books to computer spread sheets. Computer forensic experts are fast emerging, as the new age detectives of crime has shifted base from real world to the virtual world. The 9/11 attack on the world trade center in New York has also put the focus back on terrorism and cyber terrorists. Identity theft, credit card fraud, and pedophiles surfing the Internet for prey are some of the criminals a computer forensic expert helps the police to catch. The computer forensic expert finds employment with law enforcement, detective agencies, corporate businesses, and private players who are at risk of computer crimes. The computer forensics job outlook for the coming years is believed to be lucrative, as information goes digital and our dependence on the Internet and computer grows.

Job Description

The computer forensic analyst uses sophisticated hardware and software tools to investigate cyber crime, computer hacking and to decrypt data which may help in furthering a case. The analyst uses various techniques to get information on suspects like IP address tracing and packet sniffing. In IP address tracing a reverse search is done to find out information about the Internet service provider and then get information on the suspect. This technique is widely used to track down pedophiles who use computers to lure kids. Nowadays, the traditional ransom note or threat notes have been replaced by e-mails. The analyst tracks email scams with the email header which contains source IP address, server information and info on the date and time of email generation. The computer forensic analyst also helps decrypt information that is on storage device like a CD, DVD, hard drive or USB. Digital media is fast emerging as the new means of information transfer and devices like desktop computers, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and mobile phones are some of the equipment that an analyst has to go through to get the information they want. The technique of packet sniffing is used to collect valuable information from networks, like email ids, passwords and personal information. To do their job, computer analysts use tools like hex editors which is a computer program that allows them to manipulate the binary data and ensure network security. Other tools that they use are decryptors, disk analyzers, packet sniffers, and DNS tools. The analysts use all the tools at their disposal along with technical know how, to sniff out digital clues. Computer analysts have to track down hackers, who cause a menace in the lives of ordinary people, corporates and pose a threat to network security.

Salary Range

The field of computer forensics is relatively new and people working in this filed had no specific qualification other than extensive knowledge about computers and Internet crimes. Nowadays, there are forensic science colleges who offer degree and certificate programs in computer forensics and information systems security. Some colleges even offer on-line degree programs that are quite helpful in securing a good salary. The average salary is between USD 47,000 to USD 80,000. Law enforcement and legal services are emerging as top employers of computer forensic analysts and the salaries offered are also at par with some private organizations. Salary ranges for jobs in metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles have been reported to be as high as USD 90,000 to USD 100,000. Detective agencies are also good employers as they seem to offer anywhere between USD 45,000 to USD 80,000 depending on the experience and qualifications of the computer forensic analyst.

The salary largely depends on the employer and your geographical location. And like other IT jobs this field promises a lucrative future, too.