What Are Computer Forensic Experts?

In the rapid growth of the Data Forensics field welicensed as a private investigator without
see a number of "wanna-be's" entering the arenaextensive computer knowledge because as a
daily. Private investigation firms claim they havecomputer forensic expert you are expected to
sufficient computer knowledge to conductbe able to offer expert computer advice and
computer investigations. Data recovery companieshave the understanding of how data is stored,
claim they can investigate unlicensed and presentcollected, sent and copied.
eDiscovery documents in court. Be careful here...Finally, the third requirement is to have
not every geek in town who has data recoveryinvestigative knowledge, background and
experience, is an experienced investigator and notexperience. Most private investigators need to
every Private Investigator knows how to searchhave at least 10,500 hours of investigation
all the different allocations of the hard drive orexperience. If you don't know how to think like an
read a report from the router.investigator, then how can you be one? A private
In order to be a good Data Forensic Investigatorinvestigator or a person with 10,500 hours of
a person should be well versed in both arenas andinvestigation experience will know how to follow
have the following three main requirements:the chain of custody protocols and will also know
The First Requirement is a private investigatorhow to accurately document and correlate
license, both Nevada and California require this,incidents to evidence.
practicing without a license can have seriousIn conclusion, before you hire an expert in data
consequences.forensics and recovery make sure you check
The second requirement is to have computerthat they are compliant with the state licensing
training certifications and field experience inregulations, as well as have the experience in both
computer forensics. It is not enough to bethe fields of computer sciences and investigations.