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Best Digital Forensics Certifications
The article helps you answer the three most important questions when choosing the right IT security and digital forensics certification: Which certifications are high quality and internationally recognized? Which certification is suitable for which job role? And how do you achieve that certification?
Closing security gaps and strengthening digital forensics competencies in IT security teams remain the top information technology issues. Almost every company wants to invest more in IT and digital security. This is also underlined by a recent study by PwC, which surveyed 3,000 companies on their IT investments. In the survey, sixty-nine percent of companies said they plan to invest more than five percent of their budget in cyber security and digital forensics in 2022, with thirty percent even planning to spend more than ten percent.
Companies invest more in IT security and digital skills
One more change is clearly emerging. The focus is not on digital technologies, but on qualitative improvements in security teams. Seventy-six percent of the companies surveyed consider drastic adjustments necessary in the security teams. In particular, cyber security experts should be more closely integrated into strategy and business processes.
This makes certified IT security experts with forensics certifications highly in-demand professionals and increasingly requires communication and management skills. However, not every forensics certification is suitable for every job role.
Professional certifications in computer forensics
There is demand from people who are interested in further education in the field of digital forensics and obtaining forensics certification. Be it graduates or general IT practitioners who would like to change their field of activity. Often the question then comes to the professional certifications that make sense for the digital forensics field. On the one hand, these courses serve to acquire forensics knowledge in a specific field. The other important aspect is that you can also prove to a third party that you have undergone further digital training according to recognized standards, have passed an examination and received forensics certification.
The Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) website lists a large number of possible digital forensics certifications. They include classical certifications such as CISSP (Certified Information Security Professional), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), and CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker). Although these forensics certifications have their origins in information security or IT security, they form a good basis for understanding security vulnerabilities and security incidents.
More specifically incident response or computer forensics oriented professional certifications are the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) courses. The training is conducted through the SANS Institute (SANS stands for ‘SysAdmin, Networking and Security’) and in the end, candidates must write a paper. Although other certifications can be found at GIAC, the following certifications are useful for the field of computer forensics and are recognized in the digital industry: Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA), Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM), and Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE).
Would you like to have yourself or your employees certified in IT security? However, you do not know which further education and which certifications make sense. This article lists the internationally most in-demand digital forensics certifications and explains which career goal they match. Please note that this list is not a ranking of certifications.
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional, or CISSP, credential from the (ISC) is the most globally recognized certification in the information security sphere. Organizations are becoming more and more security-conscious and relying on the CISSP as a gold standard that demonstrates deep technical knowledge and experience in effectively designing, developing and managing an overall corporate security posture.
CISSPs are typically information security leaders within the organization and act as role models for aspiring security professionals. Their technical expertise, experience, and business acumen play a critical role in implementing more rigorous security protocols within your company in an increasingly complex digital world.
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2. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Professional, or CCSP, certification meets the highest global standard for cloud security expertise. With this cloud security certification, IT professionals demonstrate advanced technical skills and knowledge in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration.
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3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Ethical Hackers, or CEHs, know how to identify vulnerabilities in IT systems. To do so, they used the same strategies and tools as cyber criminals, but with legal and legitimate means to verify the status of IT security.
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4. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigation refers to the process between a detected hacking attack and the reporting of this criminal act. With the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator certificate, CHFI for short, you demonstrate your skills in forensic investigation and damage analysis of hacker attacks. You will take care to prevent further attacks and train employees in attack prevention.
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5. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM ®)
Studies consistently rank the Certified Information Security Manager as one of the highest-paying and most sought-after IT certifications. As a Certified Information Security Manager, or CISM for short, experienced managers and experts demonstrate their expertise in planning, implementing, controlling and monitoring IT security concepts in accordance with internationally valid standards.
The exam tests knowledge in five important domains: information security control, risk management, data security management, and response management.
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6. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
The Certified Information Systems Auditor, or CISA, certification is recognized worldwide as a benchmark of achievement in the fields of information systems auditing, control and security. Certification holders demonstrate their experience, skills and knowledge in auditing and show that they are able to assess vulnerabilities, mitigate threats, and report on compliance and implement controls within the company.
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7. CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certificate confirms security techs are well-equipped for both the design and practical implementation of security solutions. It is a proven ticket to a promising career as an IT security executive.
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EXAMPLE OF COURSE
Course Objective
Mastery of digital forensics processes. The training will enable you to acquire the necessary forensics expertise for conducting computer forensics processes to obtain complete and reliable digital evidence. During this training, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of computer forensics fundamentals based on best practices to perform forensics recovery evidence and analytical techniques. This training addresses core digital forensics competencies required to capture and analyze data from Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems, as well as mobile devices.
After mastering the necessary concepts of computer forensics processes, you can take the exam and apply for the qualifications of "PECB Certified Lead Computer Forensics Examiner". This certification confirms that you have the necessary expertise to lead advanced digital forensic investigations and perform forensic analysis, reporting, and evidence.
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Prerequisites
Knowledge of computer forensics
Agenda
Acquire the forensics skills necessary to plan and execute a computer forensics operation and implement and maintain a security network to protect digital forensics evidence.
Day 1. Introduction to incident response and computer forensics concepts
Day 2. Preparing for and leading a computer forensics investigation
Day 3. Analysis and management of digital and digital forensics tools
Day 4. Forensics case presentation and test simulation
Day 5. Certification Exam
