Professionals who have a bachelor's degree in computer forensics may work anywhere from international corporations to federal and state law enforcement agencies. They use their computer training to prevent and solve crimes, secure private information and identify potential threats to company or national security.
Federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Central Intelligence Agency hire computer forensics specialists to help protect the country from domestic and foreign terrorism threats. Computer forensics experts working in this capacity might break codes used by hostile foreign governments or by international terrorist groups in the hopes of deciphering encrypted messages and learning of potential threats. They may also monitor Internet activity -- for example, discussions in online chat rooms -- to identify potential domestic terrorism threats.
Computer forensics experts also work for local police departments and state and federal law enforcement agencies, where they frequently investigate computer-based crimes such as identify theft, hacking or online child pornography. They also use computer evidence in crimes such as murder and assault, burglary and embezzlement. For example, they can use their computer knowledge to trace anonymous, threatening e-mails back to the sender. They also analyze the computers of victims or suspects in search of incriminating evidence.
Businesses hire computer forensics experts to set up or monitor company-wide computer networks. They may build a system from the ground up, establishing security protocols such as secure log-ins and procedures for restricting data among employees. They may create a system where only senior-level employees can access certain databases and files. They may also help companies recover lost or damaged data after a system crash or damage because of a hacking attempt. In this case, computer forensics experts can sometimes rebuild the files and restore access to the company's network.
Computer forensics specialists also protect businesses from cyber attacks and protect consumer information. Online merchants hire computer specialists to encrypt data as it's transmitted online, for example when a consumer uses a credit or debit card. Financial institutions also hire them to encrypt Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and other identifying information. These computer forensics experts, sometimes called cryptographers, create systems to protect this data both while it's stored on the company's computer system and as it's transmitted over the Internet.
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