Written By
GCE Editorial Team
Cyber forensics is the process of collecting, analyzing and preserving digital evidence from computers, networks, smartphones, cloud storage and IoT (Internet of Things) devices to investigate cybercrimes or security incidents.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Cybersecurity Instructor of the College of Engineering and Technology on Nov. 12, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Cyber forensics, also known as digital forensics or computer forensics, involves the use of both technology and investigative techniques to investigate legal and illegal digital activity or cybercrime. These cybercrimes might involve illegal hacking, ransomware attacks, malware infections or other illicit digital activities.1
If you have a passion for technology and an interest in working in the digital security space, you might consider pursuing a digital forensics career path. What is a cyber forensics career like? First, consider the multiple uses of cyber forensics and the skills required and then take a look at the various career opportunities.
Investigate and Prevent Digital Crimes
Pursue an exciting future in digital forensics. Earn a BSIT degree at GCU.
If you’re eager to pursue a computer forensics career, you should take a look at some of the top skills that are helpful in this niche. You’ll need fundamental technical skills, such as an understanding of how different operating systems and file systems work. You should also learn a few computer programming languages. For digital forensics professionals, some of the most helpful languages to learn include Python, PowerShell, Bash/Shell, C/C++, Assembly and Java.3
Other important technical skills include the following:3
If you earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with an Emphasis in Cybersecurity degree at Grand Canyon University, you’ll take a close look at digital forensics skills. These include skills in information assurance, networking, cloud computing, platform technologies and many more.
If the idea of investigating digital crimes appeals to you, you might consider pursuing various career opportunities within the computer forensics subfield. There are plenty of exciting possibilities to consider, such as the role of a computer systems analyst.
Computer systems analysts evaluate an organization’s current IT infrastructure and identify means of improving it. They may:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for computer systems analysts was $103,790 as of May 2024.4 There is a need for these professionals within a range of organizations. According to the BLS, the projected job growth rate will be 9% from 2024 through 2034, much faster than average for all professions, indicating a need for about 45,500 new professionals.5
These digital forensics professionals are charged with monitoring their organization’s networks and devices for cyberattacks and security breaches. They implement and maintain protective software, such as firewalls, and check for vulnerabilities. They also investigate attacks that have occurred, document their findings and recommend security improvements.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for information security analysts was $124,910 as of May 2024.6 The projected job growth rate is 29% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated 52,100 new jobs.7
Within the cybersecurity field, database administrators and architects focus narrowly on the creation, organization and security of systems used to store data. This data can be sensitive, including customer data and financial information, so security is essential. These professionals perform tasks such as designing and building new databases, ensuring data security, backing up and restoring data and ensuring efficient, error-free operations.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for database administrators and architects was $123,100 as of May 2024.8 The projected job growth rate is 4% from 2024 through 2034, as fast as average, indicating a need for about 5,300 new professionals.9
What is digital forensics in cybersecurity like? Often, it focuses on investigating cybercrimes that have already happened, such as denial of service (DoS) incidents, criminal activities, malware and data breaches. Forensics cybersecurity professionals investigate how the attack occurred and what sort of damage resulted. They also collect and preserve digital evidence along the way and identify strategies for preventing the same thing from happening again.1 Forensic investigators support crime fighting by gathering forensic evidence and testifying in a court of law.
Cyber forensics is not entirely reactionary, however. Cybersecurity professionals can also take a proactive stance by testing the existing IT infrastructure for potential vulnerabilities. They can then provide recommendations to the organization regarding ways to strengthen the security of the network and its devices in order to reduce the risk of a cyberattack.1
In short, some of the most common uses of digital forensics include:1
Digital forensics professionals may investigate a variety of digital crimes. Along with cyberattacks, these cybersecurity experts may investigate financial fraud (such as cryptocurrency crimes, insurance frauds), intellectual property theft, various social networks and cloud storage for crimes and whistleblower complaints.2
To investigate cybercrimes properly and ensure that digital evidence will withstand the legal scrutiny of a courtroom, cyber forensics professionals follow an established, structured process. The five main stages of a digital investigation comprise the foundation of cyber forensics.
These stages are:2
At Grand Canyon University, the College of Engineering and Technology offers a wide range of tech-focused degree programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) with an Emphasis in Cybersecurity degree. BSIT students explore the applications of IT and cybersecurity competencies toward improving organizational security and streamlining enterprise systems operations. The degree’s blend of didactic coursework and experiential learning opportunities covers modern areas of interest to organizations — from cloud computing and platform technologies to IT security and management.
Cyber forensics and cybersecurity are quite similar, as both focus on preventing and responding to cyberattacks. However, cybersecurity is a broader concept that predominantly involves strengthening the security of technology infrastructure in order to prevent cybercrimes like data breaches.
Cyber forensics is like a subfield of cybersecurity. What is digital forensics in cybersecurity? While cyber forensics professionals also work to prevent cybercrimes, their primary focus is on investigating cybercrimes and data breaches that have already occurred. In short, while cyber forensics can indeed be proactive, the main difference between digital forensics vs. cybersecurity is that the former is largely reactionary, whereas the latter is predominantly proactive.
