Hello everyone. I am new to the world of digital forensics and am looking for some advise on where to focus my efforts. I am currently a police officer in Northern California and I am looking to end up in a Computer Forensics Investigator type position for the DA or local police.
To start off I am looking into getting either a CCE or a CFCE cert. Unfortunately I can not afford both. How are these 2 certs viewed in the law enforcement community? Is one possibly better then the other?
Starting next year I am also going to be attending some courses offered by the California Department of Justice which include
Computer Crime/Investigation
Computer Crime/Internet Investigation
PC Forensics – Data Collection
Computer/Digital Evidence Recovery
PC Forensics – Specialized investigative Tools
PC Forensics – Advanced Investigations (Build a Box)
These courses will be taken over the course of about 1 year.
While I am working on all of these certs I will also be working on a Computer Science and Information Technology Degree with an emphasis in network security.
My questions regard applying for an entry level computer forensics technician position. Can I start applying for an entry level job in this field after I get my CCE or will I have to wait until after I get the DOJ certs or even will I have to wait until after I have completed my 4 year degree? Is it possible to get into this field without an IT background?
An information will be helpful. Thank you for your time.
To start off I am looking into getting either a CCE or a CFCE cert. Unfortunately I can not afford both. How are these 2 certs viewed in the law enforcement community? Is one possibly better then the other?
I recommend you earn the CCE first and follow it up with the CFCE afterwards. The CCE is a solid entry-level vendor-neutral certification and can be studied independently or through an instructor-led course in-class or online.
Starting next year I am also going to be attending some courses offered by the California Department of Justice which include
Computer Crime/Investigation
Computer Crime/Internet Investigation
PC Forensics – Data Collection
Computer/Digital Evidence Recovery
PC Forensics – Specialized investigative Tools
PC Forensics – Advanced Investigations (Build a Box)These courses will be taken over the course of about 1 year.
You could complement these courses with some free online training offered through the University of Memphis and the Department of Homeland Security. Goggle "ACT Online Cyber Security Training"
While I am working on all of these certs I will also be working on a Computer Science and Information Technology Degree with an emphasis in network security.
Out of curiosity where are you studying for this degree?
My questions regard applying for an entry level computer forensics technician position. Can I start applying for an entry level job in this field after I get my CCE or will I have to wait until after I get the DOJ certs or even will I have to wait until after I have completed my 4 year degree? Is it possible to get into this field without an IT background?
Yes. You can apply for entry-level digital forensic positions with the CCE though having some IT background is typically required, but not always. In any event, you can earn the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ vendor-neutral certifications which is often good enough for entry-level. Your law enforcement background, for better or worse, will likely override the IT background requirement. As for having a completed degree prior to applying to entry-level digital forensic positions it depends on the stated requirements of the organization. It is possible to get into the field without an IT background particularly as a police officer or retired police officer.
You could complement these courses with some free online training offered through the University of Memphis and the Department of Homeland Security. Goggle "ACT Online Cyber Security Training"
Thanks for the info on the free training I am defently going to look into this.
Out of curiosity where are you studying for this degree?
The computer science and information technology degree will be through California State University Monterey Bay
You should look into the training provided by NWC3 since it's free. There's free training in CF for LEOs available in Alabama of all places now also. I was talking to an officer today who took their 5 week course and he said it was solid, much like the SCERS courses.
Realistically, I can't see why you'd want both CCE and CFCE. CCE was created by a former IACIS director of training, and is basically CFCE for civvies. The CFCE is a tougher course, but you'll have a current or former LEO coach spend a lot of time with you to help you through the process. Recognition wise, CFCE is better respected in the LEO community, whereas CCE is has wider recognition in privates in my experience.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am an IACIS certification subcommittee chair so take my comments how you will. If you want, give me a call on Thursday/Friday as I'll be with the IACIS Director of Training those days and can hook you up with him. My contact number is on my website in my sig on the contact page.
HI
I just finished up my masters in internet security and am looking into the field of LE for computer forensics. Do I need to get EnCase Cert ??? I am looking for entry level job positions also, but I need more practical expereince. What would be your advice..much appreciated ))
Jason