Rising data breach incidents have leaked over 6 million records globally in the early half of 2023. (Source: Statista). Often data breaches or hacking incidents can cause irreversible financial damage for businesses, and even, loss of reputation. Worse, these instances can even force the companies to shut down their businesses forever. There is an urgent need for skilled professionals backed by cyber forensics certifications who can investigate data breaches and restore stolen data.
According to market reports, demand for cyber forensics experts is poised to grow by 32% by 2032. Cyber forensics job opportunities have grown exponentially in law enforcement and defence. Esteemed government organisations like CBI, ED etc. are actively looking for computer forensics experts to thwart and mitigate cyber crimes. On average, cyber forensics salary in India can range between 10.0 LPA INR to 25.0 LPA INR and more.
In other words, cyber forensics is a fast-booming field today, extending excellent job prospects for aspiring cybersecurity experts.
What do cyber forensics experts do?
Cyber Forensics is a branch of cyber security that primarily focuses on obtaining digital evidence to resolve cyber crimes, like data theft. A cyber forensic expert runs ethical investigative procedures to detect and prosecute hackers or threat actors in court.
Cyber forensics professionals are hired in multiple government and private sectors. Cyber Forensics in India have opportunities in different domains, such as
System Administration
Military and Defence
Law enforcement
BSFI
Government agencies and organisations
E-Business security
Top Cyber Forensics Job Roles
Currently, cyber forensics is an in-demand domain with prospective job opportunities and lucrative salaries. Ideally, a cyber forensic expert is expected to be proficient in the recovery, analysis, and preservation of digital evidence. These professionals are hired in both government and private sectors as well as private forensics laboratories to investigate and mitigate cyber crimes.
Companies worldwide are looking for digital investigators who can investigate data breaches and pinpoint the origins of the cybercrime.
Here are a few popular cyber forensics job titles:
1. Mobile Forensics Expert
These professionals examine and analyse data collected from mobile phones or similar devices, which can be later used as evidence in court.
Highest Expected Salary: INR 25.0 LPA
Companies Hiring: GE, Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd
2. Network Forensic Expert
A network forensics expert analyses and locates the prime reasons for digital threats to pop up within the network and runs an audit of the associated files.
Highest Expected Salary: INR 19.34 L PA
Companies Hiring: Vodafone Idea Limited, NTT Global Data Centers
3. Malware Forensic Expert
A malware forensic expert functions with the organisation's cybersecurity team to identify and prevent malware threats like worms, bots, and trojan viruses. They use sophisticated tools to scan for malware and trace signs of hacking incidents, including those within deleted and encrypted data.
Highest Expected Salary: INR 17.8 LPA
Companies Hiring: Mindtree, Cognizant
4. Cloud Security Engineer
A cloud security engineer investigates cloud environments for security incidents and locates individuals or groups inducing the attacks.
An information technology auditor examines a company's infrastructure to determine the security loopholes and develop strategic plans to prevent any cyber-attacks. These professionals create dedicated security plans, collaborate with a security team, and communicate strategies with co-workers.
Highest Expected Salary: INR 11.5 LPA
Companies Hiring: KPMG, Amity University
6. Digital/Cyber Forensics Manager
Digital forensics managers are entrusted with the responsibility to investigate, identify, and store evidence from a cyber crime scene.
Highest Expected Salary: INR 23.34LPA
Companies Hiring: PWC, EY
Top Cyber Forensics Investigator Certifications
Undoubtedly, cyber forensics is a promising domain. There is a huge demand for cyber forensics professionals, especially certified cyber forensics experts. Certified professionals are equipped with industry-leading know-how to investigate cyber crime scenes in compliance with regulations.
With the rising demand for skilled cyber forensic professionals, institutions have come up with dedicated cyber forensics certifications courses.
Here are some of the most popular dedicated certification courses for cyber forensics:
GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
This certification in cyber forensics tests a learner's knowledge and skills required to conduct official incident investigations. The certification primarily aims at developing core skills necessary to collect and analyse data from computer systems. It is an advanced level certification suitable for someone with experience in cyber security.
The three-hour-long examination tests a candidate's knowledge of essential topics like - advanced incident response and digital forensics, timeline analysis, and memory forensics. The passing score for the certification exam is 71%.
Offered by Dataspace Academy, this certification course covers all major cyber forensics topics, such as data recovery and mobile forensics. One of the biggest highlights of this course is hands-on experience with multiple cyber forensics tools and techniques. Backed by placement support and a dedicated career counselling wing, this course also assists learners in getting placements in the domain.
This EC-Council accredited course validates the learner’s skills at building necessary security disciplines of digital forensics from a vendor-neutral perspective. This certification is meant for candidates working in incident response, computer forensics, and information system security.
GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)
This cyber forensics certifications test the learners on how to reverse-engineer malicious codes targeting common platforms, like Microsoft Windows. The cert focuses on training the learner on malware testing and operation methods. This test covers major topics like the analysis of malicious document files, web-based malware, and malicious browser scripts.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP certification covers a 6-hour-long exam that carries 250 questions. The certification exam aims to test a candidate in multiple areas like physical security, management practices, and access control systems and methodology. CISSP-certified cyber forensic professionals help IT organisations to prevent network security threats and vulnerabilities with dedicated threat management protocols.
GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)
Launched by Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), it is among the Top Certifications for professionals trying to build a career in this domain. The certification validates a candidate’s know-how in computer forensic analysis, especially data collection and analysis from Windows computer systems' digital media.
GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA)
A Cyber Forensics Expert with GNFA certification should be able to perform a seamless run of network forensic artifact analysis. This certification validates a candidate’s understanding of the fundamentals of network forensics, and normal and abnormal conditions for common network protocols. The 1 hour-long proctored test, covering 50 - 66 questions, has a minimum passing score of 70%. This certification focuses on the areas like network architecture, NetFlow analysis and attack visualisation, and network protocols.
A skilled cyber forensics professional is in high demand in this digital age - modern businesses are proactively looking for top talents to prevent hacking incidents. With the right certifications and hands-on training, anyone can be a part of this flourishing domain.
DataSpace Academy, a leading certification Cyber security course expert, is helping aspiring cyber forensic professionals build a career in cyber forensics. The award-winning institute offers industry-recognised, beginner-friendly, and job-ready certification cyber forensics course with internship and placement assistance. Learners here receive both classroom and hands-on training to prepare practical skills for real-life digital forensic investigation situations.
Join the ranks of sought-after Cyber Forensics professionals with a Certification program that includes Expert Guidance, Practical Modules, and a Certificate.
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