The type of computer forensics career path that is available to you may depend on what degree program or training you want to take. If you are interested in starting a career in a forensic computer analyst position, you will need a bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems. The programs offered through schools like these are considered liberal arts degrees. You must also pass an exam from the American Association for Professional Coders (AAPC) if you hope to become a certified computer forensics specialist.
Another computer forensics career path, you can choose to follow involves becoming a computer network technician. You would not necessarily have to go back to school to get this degree, but you will need to take at least two years of study in order to become licensed. To be considered for this position, you must first complete a general science major and a technical skills degree.
A computer forensics career path may not include working as an investigator. In fact, the majority of these positions involve working with a court system or a law firm in order to help gather evidence. Some people work as independent computer analysts, but there are others who work for the government. In this case, your main focus will be on using computers to collect data or evidence, and the court system will use this data or evidence to hand down a verdict or punish a suspect.
You may also decide to pursue a computer forensics career path by starting out with a bachelor's degree in a different science. This might be a computer science degree, but if you take classes in computer forensics in a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program you would be able to expand your career path even further. If you like this option, you should take computer science classes after your first year of college. as you will need to be familiar with computer software, operating systems, the Internet, computers, and computer forensics in general. The classes should include software programs like Windows, Linux, UNIX, and Macs that you would need if you are working on a computer forensics investigation.
You may want to consider a Master's of Science in Computer Forensics to expand your knowledge about the computer forensics career. Courses include Computer Security, Computer Forensics, and Software Security. You would also take courses to learn how to develop and maintain computer forensics laboratory equipment, how to install and use computers, and other general computer related subjects.