According to the Digital Forensics Curriculum Consortium, many states have specifically identified computer forensics as one of the fastest growing sectors of their IT markets. Texas Workforce Commission data shows all sectors of the computer industry growing in the coming years.
Computer forensics is used by attorneys, private investigators, businesses, government agencies, law enforcement agencies and a wide variety of individuals in need of technical and forensic expertise.
Job titles in the digital forensics field can include:
- Computer forensics analyst
- Counterintelligence studies and policy analyst
- eDiscovery and data restoration specialist
- eDiscovery and forensics project manager
- Forensics analyst
- Forensics consultant
- Forensic science technician
- Information systems security analyst
- Junior software developer
- Manager of network and data security
- Security consultant
- Systems administrator
- Technology risk management professional
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Responsibilities for these positions might include:
- Performing comprehensive technical analyses and interpreting computer-related evidence on a variety of network environments, software, media and storage systems.
- Ensuring that collection of evidence and chain of custody processes are achieved consistently with industry best practices.
- Providing advisory services to enhance forensic and e-discovery engagements.
- Acquiring and developing comprehensive knowledge of client operations, processes and business objectives as well as internal operations, and using this information to identify additional opportunities for achieving client objectives.
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The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook lists computer support specialists and forensic science technicians among the fastest growing occupations and occupations projected to have the most job openings through the year 2014 for job applicants with a minimum educational level of associate degree.
The 2006-07 Handbook offers information on job descriptions, skills, working conditions and salaries for:
According to America’s Career Infonet, these jobs have the following projected growth and salary potential across the country:
| Job |
Hourly Rate |
Annual Salary |
Projected Growth Through 2014 |
| Computer/Information Scientist, Research |
$45.17 |
$94,000 |
+26% |
| Computer Specialist |
$32.97 |
$68,600 |
+19% |
| Computer Systems Analyst |
$33.54 |
$68,500 |
+31% |
| Network Administrator |
$29.87 |
$62,100 |
+38% |
| Network Systems Analyst |
$31.06 |
$64,600 |
+55% |