Digital Forensics Course

[Bubbleduck]

There is also SP, with the Infocomm Security Management diploma.

Forensics is very niche imho. I personally believe that auditing or network/system defense skills may be better in netting a job.

Yea, i believe that in the future, there will be a need of more IT Security professionals in the industry, because cyber hacking crimes or cyber terrorism is increasing due to the advance of network technology currently.

 

[xfiles_wolvie]

i understand other polys also have similar things... like partnerships with aisp, ida, industry partners and the polys themselves...

very keen on the digital forensic.. but i wnat to be very sure after studying the dip, i can get a job in forensic area... any ideas how is the market demand... waht abt nyp or sp... any suggestins

young one,
firstly, in my era, there is no such things...there is only those IT and non IT courses in poly( yes, old uncle here)..
second, no one can guarantee you that there will be a demand in this market..look at all the bubble burstings in the job industry...pls google for some history.
third, the only word I can advise you is FOLLOW YOUR PASSION....otherwise u will be dragging urself to work every single day of ur life...of ur remaining life.

 

[eyedealist]

Digital Forensics in Singapore huh, maybe try the police force.

 

[dongdong88]

Digital forensics is too niche. Little to nobody will hire a fresh graduate for a forensic analyst.

Even IT Security itself has very little people who wants to hire fresh graduates and train them from ground-up.

My advice to people who wants to take up such a course to think more than twice.

While I agree that you should go for interest, please bear in mind that you have such niche skills that you probably can't use most of the time. Also, what tools the school use may not be applicable to the company you are applying to. For example, my current company uses EnCase, I'm trained in FTK. There's a skill mismatch. The company almost didn't want to hire me.

If you insist, I suggest you take a diploma or degree focus on IT Security instead. At least, there are more companies around who are willing to train you. Also, you will learn skills that's much more applicable to you now and future. Learn as much as you can in school and companies for a few years. Once you feel you are ready, specialize. That will do you better good.

 

[dongdong88]

I think only authority such as Police or Mindef will require Forensic Analyst. Correct me if i am wrong, in Singapore, i don't think external Forensic info can be used in court.

Any comments?

Nope, some companies require forensic analysts as well, but not as large scale as the Police or MINDEF. Various statutory boards here also have a team of forensic analysts. Majority are for internal use only.

Whether external forensic evidence can be used in court, 3 words are crucial: Chain of Evidence

 

[Bedokian]

What I know from the job market is that usually if one is skilled in digital forensics, he/she would usually be skilled in IT security.

 

[eyedealist]

How long did you guys took to complete your digital forensics course anyway?

 

[ky_nich]

What I know from the job market is that usually if one is skilled in digital forensics, he/she would usually be skilled in IT security.

So the moral of the story is to only specialize forensics after you're in the infosec industry.

 

[Bedokian]

So the moral of the story is to only specialize forensics after you're in the infosec industry.

Well, that is one way. Another way is to have the right connections. I knew of one computer forensic analyst who entered the field without prior IT background, but he was "selected" because of his aptitude to computers.

 

[Bedokian]

Well, happened to see this.

Anyone wanna try?

 

[dongdong88]

Under CID. Means need to join SPF?

Earlier this year, when SPF offered some participants to tour CID, it was made clear to us that you have to join SPF to join CID.

And joining CID is not something voluntary. They pick you rather than you pick them.

Is this job an exception?

If it's an exception, I will be interested. Haha. Because I can never get in to SPF.

 

[dongdong88]

Well, that is one way. Another way is to have the right connections. I knew of one computer forensic analyst who entered the field without prior IT background, but he was "selected" because of his aptitude to computers.

This is very very very rare.

So far, I've only known of one who has shown a very keen interest in IT security entered this field. He really knows his stuff (IT security and a bit of forensics), and the company is willing to train him, so he was selected.

 

[Bedokian]

This is very very very rare.

So far, I've only known of one who has shown a very keen interest in IT security entered this field. He really knows his stuff (IT security and a bit of forensics), and the company is willing to train him, so he was selected.

That's why it pays to have connections.

 

[eyedealist]

That's why it pays to have connections.

Yeah it's true. My cousin is taken in by a company, sent to study Digital Forensics Singapore and come back work for them.

 

[dongdong88]

Yeah it's true. My cousin is taken in by a company, sent to study Digital Forensics Singapore and come back work for them.

Advertising? I don't see this company listed in Infopier.

 

[coutuser]

Hey guys, if I wanna study digital forensics(full time) but I got a degree. What should I do?

 

[dongdong88]

I don't think there are any full time courses available, unless you are willing to take up another diploma or degree.

Alternative is to take courses. SANS courses are good, but pricing not cheap. A few thousand dollars.

Cheapest way is to join SPF. They accept total newbies. But as total newbies, don't expect high pay.

Singapore Police Force

Click on Career > Civilian Schemes > Home Team Specialist

Just a word of caution. This is not really a field that accept total newbies with near zero knowledge of IT. If you don't know operating systems and networks, better don't dream of joining this field at all. Also, scripting knowledge is helpful. You simply aren't going to use manual processing methods to process tons and tons of logs.

 

[Xiaosa1]

Honestly, I dont see the point of being a Cyber Forensics analyst, unless you are really really very interested. Not much job progression. Stuck in the same role, doing the same thing.

You will be stuck in your lab, running encase/FTK to do the analysis. After which, write reports and submit it up. There's very little human interaction. You could be stuck in a small room, staring at the machine. You wont to talk to other teams or do any interesting projects or meet any senior management etc.

Unless you couple with Incident handling skillsets and certified investigator, you are forever stuck in the lab, analysing hard disks and writing reports.

You need to have incident handling skills in order to manage the entire incident lifecycle. You need to be a certified investigator so that any evidence you gathered is reliable enough for the courts (chain of custody.

TS dont be taken in by the flashy title "Cyber forensics analayst"

 

[Xiaosa1]

might financial forensics , or accounting forensics. Thats the truly niche field with high pay. A Digital forensics is still a techie, dont expect high and mighty pay. In addition, you still need to be certified in the forensic tool the hiring company is using. Encase example is not cheap. Getting a degree /diploma probably teaches you the fundamental concepts. Wont land you a job.

 

[ky_nich]

might financial forensics , or accounting forensics. Thats the truly niche field with high pay. A Digital forensics is still a techie, dont expect high and mighty pay. In addition, you still need to be certified in the forensic tool the hiring company is using. Encase example is not cheap. Getting a degree /diploma probably teaches you the fundamental concepts. Wont land you a job.

Accounting/financial forensics will require even more years of study and cross-domain training. Most likely, you can't get a job just with a BSc in Computing.

I did some googling and found the area to be very fascinating, care to share the background and profile of these accounting forensics professionals?