What Can You Do With a Degree in Digital Forensics? Career Paths to Explore

Cybercrime is behind 83% of fraud-related losses. From malware attacks to identity theft and even embezzlement, many crimes create digital trails that, if systematically followed and analyzed, can bring perpetrators to justice.

As a branch of forensic science, digital forensics determines how electronically stored data is identified, acquired, preserved, and analyzed. Professionals prioritize data integrity so that evidence remains admissible in court.

Presenting the opportunity to deliver justice through the power of electronic evidence, digital forensics is both an essential discipline and a promising career field where professionals gather and analyze data from a variety of devices and networks to support investigations. Here’s what you need to know about careers in digital forensics.

Digital forensics is the practice of recovering and analyzing electronic evidence from electronic devices. It is used to support criminal investigations, corporate security cases, or legal disputes. The field includes several specialized areas, each focused on different types of evidence:

• Computer Forensics: uncovering evidence of digital activity by examining data from computers.
• Network Forensics: detecting malicious behavior by analyzing network traffic.
• Mobile Device Forensics: recovering data from smartphones or tablets and examining text, call logs, or app activity.
• Cloud Forensics: bringing investigative techniques to cloud environments and analyzing user activities or access controls.
• Incident Response: containing damage in the aftermath of security incidents and using structured investigation and remediation tactics to restore systems.

As a field experiencing rapid growth, digital forensics fuses technical expertise with investigative abilities. This combination results in a fascinating work environment that promises challenging (yet satisfying) opportunities for problem-solving in real-world cases that can make a profound difference.

It requires a unique skill set to compile electronic evidence and abide by the chain of custody. Champlain College promotes such expertise through hands-on scenarios, completed within the state-of-the-art Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity. This Digital Forensics program equips future digital forensics professionals with in-demand skills to tackle future cases with confidence.

1. Computer Forensics Analyst

Computer forensics analysts (sometimes called forensic computer examiners) collect and analyze data from digital devices to uncover evidence of cybercrimes or policy violations.

Typical Employers:

• Federal or state law enforcement agencies (e.g., FBI, DHS, state police)
• Private cybersecurity firms
• Corporate compliance departments

Key Responsibilities:

• Imaging and preserving digital evidence
• Recovering deleted or encrypted files
• Writing formal forensic reports
• Providing expert testimony in court

Average Salary Range: $109,000–$192,000, according to data compiled by Glassdoor.

Median Salary: $108,970 (for digital forensics analysts), according to O*NET Online.

2. Cybercrime Investigator

Cybercrime investigators analyze digital evidence to track criminals involved in data breaches, malware attacks, and other digital incidents.

Typical Employers:

• Law enforcement cyber units
• Cybersecurity firms
• Financial institutions

Key Responsibilities:

• Tracking network activity and malware behavior
• Performing forensic imaging
• Analyzing server and firewall logs
• Documenting case timelines

Average Salary Range: $58,000–$67,000, according to data from Salary.com.

3. Incident Response Specialist

Incident response specialists contain and mitigate breaches to restore operations and limit damage.

Typical Employers:

• Managed security service providers
• Security operations centers within major corporations
• Government agencies—especially defense

Key Responsibilities:

• Using threat analysis tools to detect security incidents
• Isolating compromised systems to contain active threats
• Coordinating mitigation efforts

Average Salary Range: $70,000–$122,000, according to data from Glassdoor.

4. Digital Evidence Technician

Digital evidence technicians organize and preserve electronic information that supports the cybercrime investigation process.

Typical Employers:

• Law enforcement forensic units
• Prosecutors’ offices

Key Responsibilities:

• Extracting metadata and files from devices
• Maintaining and organizing evidence databases
• Preparing data for analysis

Average Salary Range: $94,000–$170,000 according to data from Glassdoor.

5. Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts monitor organizations’ computer systems and networks for threats, implement safeguards, and investigate breaches.

Typical Employers:

• Government agencies
• Major tech companies
• Financial services

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintaining firewalls and access controls
• Monitoring vulnerable systems for threats
• Coordinating incident response and recovery efforts

Median Salary Range: $120,000–136,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

6. Malware Analyst

Malware analysts examine malicious software to understand how it works and how it can be detected or prevented altogether.

Typical Employers:

• Cybersecurity firms
• Software developers

Key Responsibilities:

• Learning about malware code structure by reverse-engineering it
• Creating threat intelligence reports
• Providing input on remediation strategies

Average Salary Range: $75,000–$90,000, according to data compiled by Salary.com.

7. eDiscovery Specialist

eDiscovery specialists collect, process, and manage electronic information relevant to legal cases or other investigations.

Typical Employers:

• Law firms
• Corporate legal departments
• Consulting firms offering litigation support

Key Responsibilities:

• Organizing digital evidence
• Promoting compliance surrounding data handling
• Advising attorneys on the technical side of digital evidence

Average Salary Range: $64,000-$77,000, according to data from Salary.com.

In the private sector, digital forensics analysts investigate internal security incidents to support risk management, compliance, and legal cases. They work across industries from finance to insurance. Within law firms, they support discovery through precise data collection, analysis, and preparation for legal proceedings.

Digital forensics professionals must demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise by developing both hard and soft skills that support the collection and analysis of digital evidence without compromising legal or ethical requirements.

Technical competencies enable professionals to accurately uncover, analyze, and secure digital evidence. Essentials include operating system expertise, as well as an understanding of network protocols and cybersecurity fundamentals. Competence with scripting languages and specialized tools (such as FTK, EnCase, and Autopsy) is strongly recommended as well.

Soft skills help ensure that evidence is handled and interpreted correctly. These qualities support investigative and legal skills while also enhancing reports through strong communication. Examples include critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. Precision and patience support meticulous handling, which, in turn, ensures that evidence remains legally defensible.

As cybercrime rates continue to rise and electronic evidence plays a greater role in legal proceedings, there will be a growing demand for forensic professionals with technical expertise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms the need for technical experts based on insights into several aligned roles. Information security analysts have an especially strong outlook, with a projected 29% growth and median wages of about $125,000 per year.