Are you considering a career in cybersecurity? Is it worth your time and money? Choosing the perfect career path in life is not an easy task and many people feel confused in the beginning.  However, if you are thinking whether a career in cybercrime investigation is a good fit for you or not, then be sure to read this detailed guide. We explain what it is all about, its degree programs, career progressions and potential job opportunities.  

After reading it, you can decide whether pursuing a career in cybercrime investigation could be a wise decision for your future.

What Do You Do as a Cybercrime Investigator?

In most cases, cybercrime investigators are employed by the government, consulting firms, businesses, and financial institutions. They can sometimes be hired as white hat hackers, either full-time or freelance.

This role often requires that the investigator perform penetration testing (pen testing). During this process, the goal is to analyze a network or digital system’s security features and identify vulnerabilities that may be taken advantage of by an actual adversary. 

Moreover, cybercrime investigators may perform the following duties, depending on where they work and the types of crimes they investigate:

• Conducting analyses and investigations related to viruses, phishing attacks, malware, and other cyberattacks
• Exploring the dark web for illegal forums and markets
• Recovering data that has been lost, stolen, or compromised
• Obtaining information regarding cybercrime activities by speaking with potential suspects, victims, witnesses, and other parties

 

What’s the Difference Between Cyber Security vs Cybercrime?

Cybercrime and cybersecurity are two different terms that are closely related, but their overall meaning is quite different. Here is a general overview of them both:

 

Aspect	Cybercrime	Cybersecurity
Definition	A crime that uses computer devices and the Internet	A practice to protect computers, programs, networks, personal data, and more from unauthorized entree and threats.
Target	A crime may be committed against one person, a group, the government, or a private organization.	Focuses on securing information and communication systems against unauthorized usage, modification, or exploitation.
Purpose	An attempt to harm someone’s reputation, cause physical or mental harm, or gain some benefit from it.	Aims to secure and defend systems from security breaches and threats.
Description	Generally, it involves malicious activities intended to cause harm or gain unlawful benefits.	It involves techniques that limit unauthorized access to computers, programs, networks, and data to avoid harm or exploit the systems.
Importance	Highlights the growing threats and risks associated with the misuse of technology.	It is one of the most important technical methods of protecting systems from cyberattacks and ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

 

What Are Cybercrime Investigator and Analyst’s Qualifications?

For individuals to begin a career as cybercrime investigators, they usually require education, certification, training, and experience in cybercrime and law enforcement. Here are the basic qualifications you’ll need. 

• Education

The most important educational requirement to become a cybercrime investigator is to get a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or cybercrime. An undergraduate degree in a relevant field can equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and training for cybercrime prevention and investigation. Also, completing a degree program can help you meet employer requirements for a job.

If you want to further advance in your career then go for a master’s degree in cybercrime or cybersecurity. While it is not a necessary requirement, having a master’s degree can certainly help you gain specialized knowledge, and improve job prospects. 

• Certification

Certification is not an industry standard, but acquiring a certification can enhance your skills, knowledge, and training, helping you stand out from other candidates. Also, a certificate can help you remain up-to-date with new developments in technology, computer systems, digital forensics, and information security. Further, a certification demonstrates your dedication to your profession and ensures you remain up to date on the most relevant topics within your field.

In the cybersecurity industry, CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is a highly regarded certification granted by the Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC), as is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker).

• Gain Entry Level Experience

Prior experience is crucial to succeeding as a cybercrime investigator. Consider taking on an entry-level position to gain practical experience. Vacancies may be available at organizations that employ cybersecurity investigators to assist clients and law enforcement when there is a suspicion of cybercrime. 

Take advantage of these opportunities to gain valuable on-the-job experience and training that can prepare you for your future success.

• Develop and Polish Your Skills

Developing your skills to ensure career growth and advancement in cybersecurity is important. Develop a professional network and connect with others in your field to learn from their expertise and experience. Additionally, you may wish to further your academic credentials by pursuing an advanced degree, attending training courses, or participating in industry seminars.

What is the Progression of a Cybercrime Investigator Career?

A cybercrime investigator’s career starts at entry-level positions like IT support specialist, cybersecurity analyst, or digital forensics assistant after a bachelor’s degree. However, as you gain experience, you can advance in your career and easily find senior job roles. Here is a detailed breakdown of the career of a cybercrime investigator. 

Entry-Level Positions

The starting point for a career in cybercrime investigation typically includes positions such as IT support specialist, cybersecurity analyst, or digital forensics assistant. Professionals establish a basic understanding of computer networks alongside security systems and forensic tools when they work at this level. The entry-level stage includes duties such as helping with small investigations and evidence collection and learning about cyber laws and regulations. 

Mid-Level Positions

Professionals who spend several years in their field qualify for positions as cybercrime investigators, digital forensics examiners, and security analysts. These positions require them to actively investigate cybercrimes, including hacking, identity theft, and financial fraud. 

Law enforcement agencies and private firms utilize forensic tools under their guidance to track cybercriminals while analyzing digital evidence and recovering compromised data. Professionals at this stage should obtain ethical hacking and incident response certifications.

Senior-Level Positions

Professionals who demonstrate extensive experience qualify for senior positions, including senior cybercrime investigator, forensic specialist, and cybersecurity consultant. These investigators manage sophisticated cybercrime investigations that include cyber terrorism, corporate espionage, and large-scale data breaches. 

As investigators advance, they take charge of teams while working with intelligence agencies to create security measures that stop cyber intrusions. Career development in cybercrime investigation becomes more advanced when professionals focus on malware analysis or threat intelligence.

Leadership and Executive Roles

Cybercrime investigators who remain in their field for ten years or longer can progress to become Chief Cybercrime Investigator or Cybersecurity Director or Head of Digital Forensics. These positions require investigators to manage significant investigations, develop cybersecurity plans, and instruct new investigators. 

Professionals who work with international organizations and contribute to cybersecurity policy-making and research to enhance digital crime-fighting techniques.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Cybercrime Investigator?

Here’s a breakdown of how long it can take to become a cybercrime investigator:

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree (3–4 years): 

Students who study cyber security in a bachelor’s degree program need 3–4 years to finish their studies when attending classes full-time. Students who combine part-time enrollment with cybercrime specialization training will need additional time to finish their program.

Gaining Entry-Level Experience (1–3 years): 

The development of practical skills requires between one to three years of effort based on your initial qualifications. Your degree’s co-op or internship programs will help you reduce this time because they let you learn essential skills and tools before graduation.

Certifications (3–12 months per certification) 

Professional certifications, including CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), require a few months to prepare for and complete.

On-the-Job Training and Advanced Roles (1–5 years) 

The duration of this phase extends from one to five years, depending on job requirements and skill level needs. Students often choose to earn their master’s degree in Cybersecurity or Digital Forensics during this time, which extends the timeline by 1–2 years, although they complete it while working part-time.

Best Cybercrime Investigator Jobs, Opportunities, and Salaries

A study from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) demonstrates that information security analysts receive $120,590 annually, which qualifies them for similar positions as cybercrime investigators. According to the BLS, information security analysts will experience a projected employment increase of 33% between 2020 and 2030.

The following list includes the best available job opportunities:

• Cybersecurity Analyst

A cybersecurity analyst stands as a critical element that protects essential company systems from potential attacks. The role of a cybersecurity analyst requires them to detect threats through analysis while using different technologies to prevent cyber attacks. As a cybersecurity analyst, one must perform multiple duties, which include monitoring false alarms and intrusion attempts while monitoring system users and permissions, as well as designing and upgrading security systems.

Salary: $83,323per year

• Cybersecurity Engineer

Information security engineers (also called cybersecurity engineers) defend digital assets and systems inside organizations against cyber-based attacks. The analyst’s job includes system monitoring, security patch development, and breach response countermeasure implementation. 

Salary: $92,404 per year

• Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts are responsible for maintaining the security of computer systems and networks. They perform multiple duties, including vulnerability detection, security recommendation development for management and intrusion reporting, and employee training for security features and procedures. 

Salary: $102,600 per year

• Cybersecurity Officer

A cybersecurity officer creates protective measures for companies’ systems, networks, and devices before implementing them as organizational policy. Their duties entail both vulnerability monitoring and assessment responsibility in addition to teaming up with stakeholders for resolving security threats and breaches.

Salary: $58,449 per year

• Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst

Digital tools serve as the primary instruments for cyber defense forensics analysts to investigate crime scene events. Your analysis of computer systems and networks helps you extract evidence, which leads to identifying the perpetrators. Your court-submitted evidence helps courts solve different legal cases by presenting your findings.

Salary: $83,483 per year

• Security Systems Administrator

Security systems administrators deploy software while fixing system issues and deploying security updates to their systems. The main duties of this role include tracking network requests for suspicious activities, checking for unauthorized access and malware, creating network policies, and delivering technical support to staff members.

Salary: $74,901 per year

 

Conclusion 

Throughout the next decade, there is a very bright job outlook for cybercrime investigators. During the course of the next few years, cybercrime will continue to evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, resulting in an increased demand for skilled professionals to investigate these crimes. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to invest your time and effort in this field if you are considering a career in it. 

It doesn’t matter what field you major in, such as computer science, information technology, software engineering, or a related discipline. You can land plenty of full-time cybersecurity positions and achieve your goals.

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