Monday, March 19, 2018

The Importance Of A Computer Forensic Investigator

By Robert Cooper


There are more than a million cyber attacks per year. This prompts the need for a computer forensic investigator. Professionals who can follow the trails of evidence until the criminal is found. This pool of professionals is still pretty shallow. There is still a lot left to understand about their role in criminal investigations. They help translate the digital language in a format that is presentable t the courts.

There are many forms of criminal fraud. It ranges from ponzi schemes to cyber theft. Both of these can be proven by following a digital trail. Through emails, tracing IP addresses and access into bank accounts, the analyst can tell if the person received or moved money illegally into an overseas account with criminal intent. Such evidence has been known to break cases wide open.

Corporate data is private and must be kept confidential b everyone who has access. However, often there are leaks. Some of it is released to the public. The intention can be either malicious or it could be accidental. Whatever the case, the analyst is able to retrace the steps and find the source of the leak.

Before going into this area of work, one has to be very technologically savvy. They have to be able to use any form of technology in at least the most basic ways. One has to have an interest in computers. They have to appreciate their use and benefits. However, such a person must also be of high moral integrity. Lack of which will end up with one being chased by other analysts for wrongdoing.

One also needs to possess the ability to sift through evidence. They have to be able o pick out discrepancies in the data presented. They have to able to follow a single crumb of data to uncover a whole wealth of information. An investigative nose is imperative.

Once all the work is done, one has to be diligent enough to go through it a few times. The evidence should not have a loophole through which the criminal can slip. The report should be all-encompassing and non-ambiguous. It should use layman language and simplicity.

There is risk involved with going into this line of work. Sometimes, the criminals turn the hunter into the hunted. There have been too many stories about how a demented psychopath took revenge on a law enforcement agent. One should understand these risks and take necessary steps to protect oneself and family.

Passion is necessary for this line of work but not for the glory that other careers accord. It is necessary because many are the times one will be tasked to work on a case that just breaks their spirit. They have to be passionate for justice to go through the motions as required.




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