Exploring Careers in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

Lucy K. Tsado, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice at Lamar University, where she teaches cybersecurity, digital forensics, cybercrime, corrections, criminal justice policy, planning and evaluation, class, race, gender and crime to criminal justice students.Robert Osgood is an engineer, CPA, and a twenty-six-year veteran FBI Computer Forensics Examiner and Technically Trained Special Agent. His specialties include: digital forensics, data intercept, cyber-crime, enterprise criminal organizations, espionage, and counter-terrorism. In the course of his work, he has performed digital forensics research and development and created unique new software tools for digital forensic law enforcement. He also serves as a digital forensics consultant to Probity Inc. working with the Truxton development team. He formed the first FBI computer forensics squad in 2000, served as the Chief of the FBI’s Digital Media Exploitation Unit and was part of the team that executed the first court-authorized digital computer intercept at the FBI. Osgood managed and deployed the Washington, D.C. gunshot detection system.

Recent headlines prove that there are ever-widening skill gaps between law enforcement and increasingly sophisticated cybercrime. This straightforward manual hopes to mitigate the discrepancy by providing clear cybersecurity career paths for individuals, counselors, and educational institutions. Written by two authors with considerable experience in both criminal-justice research and practice, the book is filled with charts, graphs, lists, reproducible forms, sample cases, and practical advice laid out in brief, accessible chapters. There's advice about desired coursework, majors, internships, networking, conferences, and apprenticeships (for both students and institutions). There are helpful hints on how to analyze job postings (interpreting government jargon, KSA—Knowledge, Skills and Abilities—requirements) and examples of functional resumes that stress skills as opposed to previous employment. Readers will also find time-honored interview caveats: wear a suit, shake hands, look them in the eye, smile. One extremely helpful appendix charts feeder jobs that can lead to top cybersecurity positions; others do the same for criminal justice students looking to specialize in specific areas. This concise guide, which could be an effective textbook, will be extremely valuable to anyone considering a career change.

• Chapter One: What Is Cybersecurity?Cybersecurity and The Criminal Justice ConnectionThe Evolution of Digital Forensics Chapter Two: The Cybersecurity Skills Gap: An Opportunity for Criminal Justice StudentsCriminal Justice Students and The Infusion of Cyber Forensic SkillsWhat Educators, Advisors, And Career Counselors Need to Know How Can A Student Attain A Successful Cybersecurity Career?Chapter Three: It’s All About SkillsDigital Forensics Swim LanesDigital Media Forensics Network Forensics Cloud Forensics Memory Forensics Mobile Device ForensicsReverse EngineeringWhat Baseline Skills Do I Need to Bring?ProgrammingOperating SystemsNetworkingSoft SkillsWritten Communications SkillsInterviewing SkillsLegal SkillsChain of CustodyOther Legal StuffNon-Examiner Based Analytical SkillsChapter Four: Education and Certifications Cyber Security ProgramsCertificate Programs (Certs)Formal (Academic) Education Undergraduate Programs Graduate ProgramsComponents of An Effective Digital Forensics ProgramOnline ProgramsCostHow to Pick an Institution?The Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) Designated InstitutionsChapter Five: Cybersecurity Career Opportunities in The Field of Criminal JusticeCurrent Opportunities and Jobs Needing Cybersecurity in Criminal JusticeJobs Within the Federal Government (Public Sector)Jobs Within State and Local Governments (Public Sector).Courts and CorrectionsJobs Within the Private Sector National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) CyberseekNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Workforce FrameworkOther Important RolesChapter Six: Planning Your Path into The Cybersecurity FieldA Proposed Model for A Successful Cybersecurity Education and Career.EducationTraining and CertificationsOther Activities That Are Important for Students’ SuccessNetworkingConferencesSchool Career Advancement ActivitiesInternships ApprenticeshipClubs and Social OrganizationsCompetitionsThe Role of Colleges and Their CommunityChapter Seven: Getting the Job and Entering the Digital Forensics FieldSetting Up A Home Digital Forensics LabLooking for The Job Posting. Persistent but Not Annoyance The ResumeConclusion: Career Advancement in CybersecurityRecap of Previous Chapters Questions Students Should Ask Themselves Before They Begin A Career/As They Progress Through Their CareerTips for Advancement in The Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Field.After A Cybersecurity Career, What Next?Retirement: Was It All Worth It?Appendix 1: Complete List of Feeder Roles According to Cyberseek.OrgAppendix 2: Cybersecurity Roles Suitable for Criminal Justice Students Adapted from Cyberseek.OrgAppendix 3: Cybersecurity Roles for Criminal Justice Students. Adapted from The NIST SP 800 181