I graduated in '05 with a degree in Computer Science and have been working as a Technical Support Analyst in IT for the last 4 years. I'm looking to change gears and get into the computer forensic field, preferably with the government.
In another month, I'll be beginning some classes at a nearby CF training center in PA. I'm hoping I'll be able to get certified in AccessData and Guidance Software.
I'm wondering if anyone knows of any government agencies/programs that are hiring entry-level CF professionals in the US. I'm located in Pennsylvania, but am very flexible and happy to move for the right opportunity.
PM me I will talk to an FBI friend of mine that is in Pittsburgh.
Dean
The key word is entry level. Everyone wants someone with experience but how do you get it? You are in position to take advantage of a unique opportunity. First off check the job section in the web site for the Secret Service and the FBI and run some searches. You will see jobs but they probably want experience. Then go to the Office of Personnel Managment (OPM) web site for the Federal Govt. and run some searches. You will see cool jobs but most will require a Top Secret security clearance. Now what you do is go see your local Air Force recruiter and tell him you will join for six years if they will assign you to the new CyberWarfare center. You go so school for two years, get a Top Secret clearance (takes a year to get) and work in National Security for four years, get out with a security clearance that is still good for a year, move to the Washington DC area and get a job working for Uncle Sam at DOD, NSA, Homeland Security, FBI, etc. This was in the SANS newsletter this morning
US Military Intent on Increasing Interest in Cyber Warfare Career Paths
(May 11, 2009)
The US military has demonstrated a growing awareness of the need to
develop effective defense against cyber attacks. Currently, Defense
Department cyber war school graduate 80 students a year; budget
increases proposed by the Pentagon would quadruple that number over the
next two years. US military training academies have participated in war
games for the last nine years, competing to see which team does the best
job of establishing and maintaining an operable network while under
attacks from a National Security Agency (NSA) team. Many of those
participating are hoping for assignments at the Army's Network Warfare
battalion.
US Military Intent on Increasing Interest in Cyber Warfare Career Paths
(May 11, 2009)
The US military has demonstrated a growing awareness of the need to
develop effective defense against cyber attacks. Currently, Defense
Department cyber war school graduate 80 students a year; budget
increases proposed by the Pentagon would quadruple that number over the
next two years. US military training academies have participated in war
games for the last nine years, competing to see which team does the best
job of establishing and maintaining an operable network while under
attacks from a National Security Agency (NSA) team. Many of those
participating are hoping for assignments at the Army's Network Warfare
battalion.
I think this sounds great but I can't honestly believe that they are training reliable and competent "cyber soldiers" or whatever you want to call them. I could see them training people on how to use pre-coded software and scripts that do everything for them. Maybe that's what they need… I don't know.
Researching vulnerabilities and coding methods to deliver payloads is not something they're going to learn in a few years of training. You have to have a branching tier of knowledge really.
For the OP, I think you should look into private sector internships as well (even though your post title says Government ;P). I think there are far more opportunities and better training in a for profit computer forensics firm. I would start by looking up any local forensics firms and cold calling them or walking in to present yourself.
You might have to be willing to do an unpaid internship at first for a few hours a day or week. If you can learn some scripting and work on ways to automate part of the daily operations at that firm or something else beneficial, then you are positioning yourself to move on from an internship and into maybe a part-time or full time position.
Computer forensics can be mind-numbingly boring and the more "house keeping chores" you can automate the better it might get. Many examiners are too busy or too over-worked to develop new software and methods. Everyone will love you for making those eye melting tasks go by faster and more efficiently 😉
Sometimes the trick is to just get any government job - preferably with a department that does forensics, find out who the forensic team is run by, and make them aware of your training and interests.
I started out in general tech-support but I also made it known that I had a Computer Forensics degree and EnCase training. Within three months I was out doing digital search and seizure work.
DOJ has been hiring of late. Apply at
https://
Keep an eye out for postings in Lorton, VA. Key in on the location, otherwise, you may get extraneous vacancies. If you have EnCase experience, and, especially, a certification along with legal knowledge, you stand a markedly better chance.
FBI is a great choice. Getting in the door there will bode well for your future.
Best wishes,
Sean
Slightly off topic, but in response to the cyber warrior note…
When I was at the CHFI training class in Wash. DC, I was the only civilian, out of 9 people.
In my opinion, of the 8, only 2 had sufficient IT experience to grasp the basic concepts of digital forensics.
3 had basic Windows XP user experience, but once we dropped to a command prompt they were completely lost. Forget *nix or network knowledge.
The remaining 3 could barely find the power switch for the monitor.
They were all active duty, and IT members of the military.
cry cry cry
Frustrating.