Mary Hankins

Mary Hankins

Hanskins 1   Mary Hankins Mr. Habib Business 102 14 March 2008 Computer Forensics Specialist   Computer forensics, also called digital forensics, network forensics, or cyberforensics, is a rapidly growing field that involved gathering and analyzing evidence from computer and networks. Because computers and the internet are the fastest growing technology used for criminal activity, the need for computer forensics specialists will increased in years to come.   A computer forensics specialist examines computer media, programs, data, and log files on computers, servers, and networks. According to (shelly & cashman, 2008)(computer careers), many areas employ computer forensics specialists, including law enforcement, criminal prosecutors, military intelligence, insurance agencies, and information security departments in the private sector. A computer forensics specialist must have knowledge of the law, technical experience with many types of hardware and software products, superior communications skills, a willingness to learn and update skills, and a knack for problem solving.   When a problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the computer forensics specialist to carefully take several steps to identify and retrieve possible evidence that may exist on a suspect’s computer. These steps include protecting the suspect’s computer, discovering all files, recovering deleted files, revealing hidden files, accessing protected or encrypted files, analyzing all the data, and providing expert consultation and/or testimony as required   (reinman, 2008).
Hanskins 2   A computer forensics specialist must have knowledge of all aspects of the computer, from the operating system to computer architecture and hardware design. In the past, many computer forensics specialists were self-taught computer users. Today, extensive training, usually from several different sources, is required. A degree in Computer Science should be supplemented with graduate course and university-level professional...