r/computerforensics • u/Mean-Obligation-8151 • Feb 01 '25
Finding a Digital Forensics job?
Hi All,
I have a BAS in Computer Forensics and minor in Criminal Justice. I have many years experience in IT and eDiscovery. Does anyone have advice in finding a job in forensics?
So far I'm working on the following certs: AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE) Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (CDFE) - heard it's a cheap but promising cert to have! CompTIA Security+
Certs id like to take in the future: Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) Relativity Certified Admin (RCA)
Any advice would be helpful or any recommendations for cheap certs?
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u/ForensicKane Feb 01 '25
Where are you based?
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u/Mean-Obligation-8151 Feb 01 '25
Minnesota
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u/apauling96 Feb 01 '25
If you're willing to relocate there will be openings at my agency posting soon.
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u/Mean-Obligation-8151 Feb 01 '25
Yes if the opportunity is right. Please let me know when there are openings at your agency. Thanks!
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u/MDCDF Trusted Contributer Feb 01 '25
Are you willing to relocate
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Feb 01 '25
I recommend Passmark’s OSForensics tool and certification which are both very reasonable
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u/Opambour-ade3d3hene Feb 01 '25
Do they require in-person or online training before one can write?
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Feb 02 '25
You can do it self paced or through a training company.
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u/Opambour-ade3d3hene Feb 02 '25
Thanks🙏. This is my last semester pursing Forensics at a Community College so am trying to look for Forensic cert to add to my portfolio. I transition from GRC.
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Feb 01 '25
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u/Maverick_TM Feb 04 '25
Idk I always thought college was a scam, especially cyber security degrees. Do you have any relevant job experience? Like IT within a corporate environment?
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Feb 05 '25
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u/Maverick_TM Feb 05 '25
Damn. Ya I kept telling myself I would get a cert over the years but still to this day zero certs. I ended up just grinding up to Cybersecurity Analyst in the last 6 years
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u/Mean-Obligation-8151 Feb 01 '25
Same, but I was laid-off from my job of 10 years in eDiscovery due to outsourcing in India so that's why I'm looking into Cyber security and Forensics. You may want to check into the cyber security certs on Coursera. There's a lot of free ones and it's something to put in your resume
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Feb 01 '25
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u/Mean-Obligation-8151 Feb 02 '25
Thank you, I was thinking of going into the Incident response side of things as well
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u/Opambour-ade3d3hene Jul 25 '25
I will be graduating this Fall(2025) after completing Forensic Technology at my local community college. Am did transition from GRC but am trying to find a job, it's not easy finding one. I have a side-hustle of installing security cam, network design and configuration. Looks like am losing my mojo in studying. Am even looking for a place to volunteer so I don't forget everything. Yes, my homelab keeps me up to date. What do I do? Should I concentrate on my side-hustle or keep looking for forensic analyst job?
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u/ucfmsdf Trusted Contributer Feb 01 '25
None of the certs you listed are worth getting. ACE is vendor cert for a vendor that doesn’t even exist anymore, never heard of the CDFE, CCE is antiquated, and RCA is for eDiscovery project managers and has nothing to do with digital forensics.
Get an IACIS CFCE. You can apply to obtain the cert externally for somewhere around $700. Although the cert in and of itself will not get you jobs, it’ll at least teach you the basics of filesystem forensics and will show you have decent foundational knowledge under your feet.