What Is Computer Forensics?

If you’ve ever watched a true crime documentary, you might associate the term “forensics” with investigators gathering physical evidence at a crime scene. Computer forensics also involves investigation, but instead of collecting fingerprints or DNA, professionals in this field uncover information stored in digital assets.  

Computer forensics professionals use sophisticated computer science techniques to extract information from computers, smartphones, network servers, and databases. The evidence discovered through computer forensics is often used during legal proceedings, but computer forensics may also support data recovery efforts after a system crash or file loss.   

Types of Computer Forensics  

The field of computer forensics, or “cyber forensics,” encompasses a wide range of practices, including: 

• Database forensics. Forensic investigators search databases for signs of data tampering, unauthorized access, or other cybersecurity incidents. They may also use file carving and other file recovery techniques to restore deleted files.  
• Email forensics. Emails often contain information that is crucial to legal investigations. Forensic professionals work to recover deleted or hidden emails, determine their origin, and validate the authenticity of email messages.  
• Malware forensics. Hackers can use malicious software to gain unauthorized access to a system and steal confidential information. Forensic analysts examine malware to understand how the software was installed and where it originated. They help cybersecurity teams identify security vulnerabilities and prevent future malware attacks.  
• Network forensics. This branch of computer forensics involves analyzing network traffic to detect cybersecurity threats and gather evidence of illegal activity. Network forensics may also help law enforcement establish timelines by determining when certain network connections or data transfers occurred.  
• Cloud forensics. Data stored in an off-site, cloud-based platform can be especially challenging to access. Cloud forensics enables the collection, analysis, and preservation of information contained in public or private clouds.   
• Mobile device forensics. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices store vast quantities of data, but uncovering that data requires specialized forensics techniques. Forensics analysts extract information from text messages, call logs, applications, browsing history, metadata, and other artifacts.  
• Disk forensics. This branch of forensics involves the recovery of data from storage devices like hard drives, SSDs, and USBs—whether data has been intentionally deleted or accidentally lost. It’s one of the earliest and most common branches of computer forensics.
• Memory forensics. Memory forensics focuses on analyzing a computer's volatile memory, or RAM, for valuable evidence. This involves recovering encryption keys, analyzing malware in its running state, or extracting sensitive session information.

How Is Computer Forensics Used?  

Computer forensics plays a vital role in various industries and scenarios where analyzing digital evidence is crucial. Law enforcement agencies often use computer forensics to investigate crimes such as fraud, identity theft, and cyberattacks, helping to uncover critical digital evidence that can lead to prosecutions. In the corporate world, forensics responds to issues like insider threats, intellectual property theft, and compliance violations, so that businesses can protect their assets and adhere to regulations. Additionally, computer forensics is essential in civil litigation, where digital evidence may be required to resolve disputes or support legal claims. Beyond investigations, it is also used for data recovery in cases of accidental loss or damage, ensuring vital information is not permanently lost. 

Techniques Used in Computer Forensics 

Computer forensics relies on a variety of techniques to extract, preserve, and analyze data from digital devices while ensuring evidence integrity. Common methods include:

• Imaging and cloning: Creating a duplicate of the device being examined to avoid altering the original evidence.
• File carving: Recovering deleted files from storage devices even if the file table has been erased.
• Log analysis: Reviewing system and network logs to trace unauthorized access or suspicious activity.
• Steganalysis: Detecting and recovering hidden data embedded within other files.
• Timeline analysis: Building an activity timeline to understand what actions were performed on the device.

Computer Forensics vs. Cybersecurity   

While they may intersect, computer forensics and cybersecurity are two different domains. Cybersecurity primarily focuses on preventing and mitigating cybercrime by optimizing an organization’s security protocols. By contrast, computer forensic professionals concentrate on extracting files, data, or information from digital devices, cloud platforms, or wireless networks. While they often support cybersecurity efforts, their work is not confined only to cybercrime investigations.  

Why Is Computer Forensics Important?  

Digital devices and online transactions are central to modern life. With this reliance comes an increased risk of cybercrime and data breaches. Computer forensics is essential for businesses and individuals alike due to:

• Legal evidence: Courts require validated evidence, and computer forensics ensures this is collected and preserved properly. 
• Accountability: Forensic analysis can prove wrongdoing and protect innocent parties in fraud or misconduct cases. 
• Data recovery: Computer forensics helps recover lost or deleted information, protecting assets. 
• Incident response: Rapid forensic investigations allow organizations to identify and mitigate breaches before damage escalates.  

Computer Forensics Jobs  

Computer forensics, also called digital forensics, is a fast-growing field. As technology becomes a more integral part of our everyday lives, the need for skilled computer forensics professionals grows proportionally. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the employment of information security analysts, including computer forensics professionals, will grow by 33% between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the average job growth rate.    

Computer forensics professionals often specialize in specific subsets of the field. There are many job titles associated with cyber forensic work, including:  

Forensic Computer Analyst

This profession lies at the intersection of criminology and computer science. Computer analysts’ data collection and analysis efforts often directly impact the outcome of criminal and civil legal cases.  

Digital Forensics Investigator

Digital forensics investigatorsare digital detectives who gather evidence from devices and systems, present expert testimony in court, and actively fight against cybercrime.  

Computer Forensics Technician

Technicians perform hands-on analysis of electronic devices, networks, and cloud platforms. They often work in tandem with cybersecurity teams and law enforcement.  

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts protect organizations against cyberattacks and other security incidents by installing firewalls and other security measures, simulating cyberattacks to test the strength of the security system, and training staff on how to identify and prevent cybercrime.  

Network Security Engineer

Network security engineers design and manage network security systems. They test networks to find vulnerabilities and continuously optimize defensive protocols to reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack.  

Security Consultant

Organizations hire security consultants to assess and improve their systems. Consultants often work closely with IT departments and managers to ensure that everyone understands their role in protecting sensitive information.  

Skills Needed for Computer Forensics 

Professionals working in computer forensics require a unique blend of skills, including:

• Programming knowledge: Skills in Python, Java, or C++ help analysts read and dissect scripts, detect anomalies, and even create custom tools during investigations. Proficiency in scripting enables faster, more efficient analysis when dealing with vast data sets or specialized forensic tasks.
• Cybersecurity expertise: A solid understanding of cybersecurity principles will help identify vulnerabilities, track unauthorized access, and recover encrypted data. Familiarity with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and malware analysis tools is essential to uncover evidence and improve system defenses.
• Mastery of operating systems: Whether it's Windows, macOS, Linux, or even less common OS environments, a computer forensics professional must be adept at navigating a range of platforms. Understanding file systems, directories, and OS-specific tools (e.g., Linux command lines) can be the difference between a solved case and a dead end.
• Familiarity with ISO standards: Computer forensics involves evidence gathering, analysis, and documentation—processes that need to follow global standards for credibility. Familiarity with ISO/IEC 27037 (forensic evidence handling) and related guidelines ensures your findings are admissible in court and meet professional ethical benchmarks.
• Proficiency with computer software: Analysts must be comfortable with tools like EnCase, FTK (Forensic Toolkit), Wireshark, and Autopsy. These applications are industry staples for disk imaging, data recovery, and network forensics. Knowledge of these tools allows professionals to extract the most pertinent information quickly and efficiently.
• Organizational and analytical skills: Computer forensic investigations require meticulous documentation and a methodical approach to analyzing evidence. Being highly organized ensures that no detail goes unnoticed, and strong analytical skills help draw connections between seemingly unrelated data points. A forensic analyst must think like a detective, balancing creativity with precision.

Next Steps  

If you have an interest in solving complex problems and are passionate about emerging technologies, then a career in computer forensics may be right for you. An IT degree from WGU can help you acquire the skills and knowledge needed to build a thriving career. Our online degree programs are designed with input from leading industry professionals, so you know you’re learning the relevant career skills you need to succeed. At WGU, we charge a flat-rate tuition fee per six-month term, and students can progress to their next course as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the material. Apply today!