RE: Forensic/Cyber Crime Investigator

["mhayden" <mike_hayden () quintum com>]

Koolk3,

I am also looking into this, I don't have much information but this is what
I've gathered:

- There seem to genarally be 2 facets of Forensics:
* Computer Forensics - pouring over someone's harddrive to gather and
document evidence.
* Network Forensics - Alot of what the folks on this list do on a day to day
basis, intrusion protection, detection and analysis.

You can persue one or the other but it sounds like you want a combination of
both.

- It has been suggested to me that if I was interested I should persue a Law
Enforcement career and go at it from that angle.  I have been a Software
developer for almost 20 years, in the US I'm too old for Law Enforcement (35
yrs is the cutoff in my state) so that option is out for me.

- Another suggestion was the FBI or CIA as a civilian professional or if you
meet the age/citizenship criteria an Agent.

- There are also private companies that do Computer Forensics and are hired
out by Lawyers or Law Enforcement that need the help when computers are
acquired in crimes.

I have taken a Computer Forensics class at the college level to get a feel
for that but unfortunately that isn't enough to get you in the door (unless
you get lucky).  I also get the feeling that without an IT background you
are out in the cold.

Another suggestion was to join one of the local chapters of the IACIS
(International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists).  I think
you would need to be invited in my an existing member and I'm not sure if
its only open to Law Enforcement folks checkout there website
(http://www.iacis.info/iacisv2/pages/home.php).  There are many different
groups, some are open to civilians and some are not.

Hope this helps a bit.  I look forward to comments from others to help me in
my quest also.

MH




-----Original Message-----
From:
security-basics-return-38141-mike_hayden=quintum.com () securityfocus com
[mailto:security-basics-return-38141-mike_hayden=quintum.com@securityfoc
us.com]On Behalf Of Koolk3
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 12:21 PM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Forensic/Cyber Crime Investigator


Hi List,

I tried posting this before, didn't go through. So I am trying again.

I am interested in becoming a Forensics/Cyber Crime Investigator
preferably with any law enforcement agency in Canada. I will graduate
this April with a Bachelor in Computer Engineering. I have some
experince in Forensics and IT security from coop placements and wanted
to take this option as a career.

My questions are:

1) What kind of certification is the most demanding/respected among
law enforcement aganices in Canada/US?

2) If anyone on the list is with RCMP, OPP or any other law
enforcement agency here could you please give me any information on a
possible career path. Where do I start? Are these kind of jobs
considered as a civilian job?

3) Those in the USA: could you please tell me if I can have any
prospect there as a Canadian citizen. I would imagine you would need
an US citizen to work in the law enforcement agencies, but what about
private organizations?

4) Any information in building a career path in this field would be helpful.

Thanks everyone.

--
KoolK3

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---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE
The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management 
education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. 
Tailor your education to your own professional goals with degree 
customizations including Emergency Management, Business Continuity Planning, 
Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations. 

http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus
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