Computer Forensics advice?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by Brian2944, Jun 16, 2006.

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  1. Brian2944

    Brian2944 New Member

    Does anyone here work in this field?

    I have some college credits and unable to complete a degree right now. I currently work in Law Enforcement (Corrections) and I'm looking for a career change. Someone here mentioned looking into Computer Forensics.

    I like how the Kennesaw University Cert. looks. I will able to complete it in a few months and it is affordable, but its not a degree.

    So if I was to complete the program there and pass the CCE test, would I be able to get an entry level job even without experience?

    Also, is this cert. only used for Law enforcement? I ask because it is not dealt with on a county level. Leaving only Federal jobs.

    So with this on the resume, do I have a chance????:
    Some college
    Kennesaw CCE training
    CCE Cert.
    but NO EXPERIENCE

    The other thing I'm concerned about is the amount of jobs that are available for this field. And can anyone tell me what an entry level job salary would look like?

    Any Advice??

    Many Thanks
     
  2. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    I am about to take the EnCase test within the month. I do most examinatins for HR within my company, but it useful for possible incident response. I attended a week long school for Guidance Software back in April. Ill tell you what they told me...



    1. You will get asked 3 quetions right off the bat from an attorney. a) What Product do you use? b) Have you been trained and c) are you certified. Encase pretty much the defacto standard with law enforcement.

    2. In order to get Encase Certified you need 18 months of active experience, OR attend a week long school (2400 bucks) and 6 months. Did the school, was very helpful.

    3. It is very useful outside of law enforcement. The defense pays WAY better. Alot of side work my instructure got was "deposition" work reviewing evidence that was first examined by the prosecution, Civil cases (can we say divorce), and private investigation buy companies for fraud.




    The CCE would be beneficial, IMHO, to provide yourself with creidbility within the industry. But it is just one step or what appears to be many.

    A side note, Georgia just started forcing forensic examiners to get Private investigator licenses to practice.
     
  3. Brian2944

    Brian2944 New Member

    I have heard different opinions on needing a degree. Do you need a degree or just a cert. ?
     
  4. lspahn

    lspahn New Member

    Finishing last credits of a BSGS at COSC (8 to go), and i have the cer (Ence). I also hold alot of IT certs and a couple of Security ones also. I have seen some of the degree programs around and some look good while other look like oppurtunist trying to take advantage of a hot industry. Look for that NSA standard.

    If I worked in law enfrocement in some capacity like you, id look for internal openings, or get some certs and volunteer internally. Typically, corrections is a state function, so I would also look to see if they have a state department that handles most of that work. I have been under the assumtion that it would be easier to transfer into a position than grab one thats open.

    Good luck....


    Lou
     
  5. tscalzitti

    tscalzitti New Member

    Entry level, yes in the corp world. But encase is the standard simply because it has held up to cross in court cases. So its not really questioned anymore as far as a tool goes.

    You do need to show yourself as an expect in a trial, and just a tool cert is not enough IMHO.

    Exp. and certs help. The whole reason the cert was created. The program you ar einis very good, I live near the school and they have a good rep here in Atlanta.

    After you have the time in go for the CISSP to round out your skills.
     
  6. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 27, 2006

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