Cyber Forensics Career in India: A Complete Guide

The cyber forensics (global) market has been predicted to rise at 15.95% CAGR between 2023 to 2028, reaching a whopping value of $20.29 billion by 2027.

Cybersecurity is a major concern for everyone in the contemporary digital age when there is a constant threat of data breaches and cyber attacks. Hackers are actively looking for vulnerabilities in computer systems and application networks, and exploiting them for their personal gains. A serious Data breach or hack incident can cost millions and even force companies to shut down their businesses in a year. Well, this is where cyber forensics experts come to the rescue. Cyber forensics is a crucial branch of the Cybersecurity ecosystem that primarily deals with the recovery and investigation of breached data and digital assets. Thus, a career in cyber forensics could be highly rewarding.
Cyber Forensic experts are in high demand today. Law enforcement and defence- esteemed government organisations like CBI, ED etc. are actively looking for computer forensics experts. These professionals are hired to investigate and mitigate cyber crimes. Certified Cyber Forensics professionals are also in demand in various other industries like BFSI, law etc. Leading MNCs and Fortune 500 companies are extending generous packages for Cyber Forensics experts, starting from 10.0 LPA INR to 25.0 LPA INR, and more.
 

Overview of Cyber Forensics

Cyber Forensics majorly centres around obtaining digital data as evidence for a crime perpetrated online. Additionally, it focuses on following the correct investigative procedures necessary to detect and prosecute hackers or threat actors in court. In corporate settings, a cyber forensics investigator deals with analysing the network and locating the insider threats responsible for a security breach.
 

Why is Cyber Forensics A Good Career Choice?

Computer forensics is a proliferating field, extending huge potential for career advancement. Both private firms and government bodies are looking for cyber forensics professionals to address cybercrime. The tremendous rise in cybersecurity incidents has pushed the demand for computer forensic technicians. Agencies are willing to pay competitive salaries and perks to hire the best talents.

The career in cyber forensics in India is rising steadily upward rise lately. Both government bodies such as Central Forensic Science Laboratories and private companies are hiring cyber forensics experts to monitor online fraud and reinforce data and information security. Many private forensic science laboratories are hiring these professionals for in-house and outsourcing services.

1. High demand

   With nearly 34% internet penetration across India and counting, close to 1.7 lakhs of cybercrime incidents are reported annually. To mitigate these incidents, private and government organisations are increasingly hiring cybercrime investigators.

2. Lucrative Salary

   In India, professionals starting off as computer forensic investigators can earn close to INR 7 LPA. With time and experience, they can experience an exponential hike in their respective salaries reaching up to INR 24 – 28 LPA. (Source: AmbitionBox)

3. Multiple Job Roles

   Aspiring Cyber Forensics professionals would be able to apply for multiple job roles, such as

   • Cyber Forensics Analyst
   • Computer Forensics Investigator
   • Cyber Forensics Specialist
   • Digital Forensics Specialist

Which Departments And Organisations Are Looking For Cyber Forensic Professionals?

• Law Enforcement Agencies

  In India, law enforcement agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and state police forces have specialised cybercrime divisions that require the expertise of cyber forensic professionals.

• Government Agencies

  Government agencies such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) often require the services of cyber forensic professionals.

• Private Sector Companies

  Private sector companies in India, including those in the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors, are increasingly hiring cyber forensic professionals to help investigate data breaches and other cybercrime.

• Legal Firms

  Law firms in India may require the services of cyber forensic professionals to help with the analysis of digital evidence related to cybercrimes and to provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.

• Cybersecurity Consultancies

  Cybersecurity consultancies in India may require the services of cyber forensic professionals to provide clients with specialized digital forensics services and to conduct investigations into cybercrime.

• Academic Institutions

  Some academic institutions in India offer cyber forensic programs and may require experienced cyber forensic professionals to teach or develop a curriculum in this area.

Skills Needed To Join Cyber Forensics

Cyber forensics is an extremely dynamic field. You need to regularly update your skillsets to transition or move up in cyber forensics. Here are a few fundamental and critical skills:

1. Technical and Analytical Skills

   The cybersecurity forensics domain requires both technical skills and analytical skills to analyse cybercrime and uncover computer forensic evidence based on facts. Cyber forensic experts should be updated on the upcoming technologies and tools- like Kali, Autopsy, Wireshark, PeStudio etc. to keep themselves abreast about advanced cyber crimes and how to combat them. Proficient analytical skills will come in handy to judge and analyse hard evidence or reconstruct cyber crime scenarios to speculate reasons behind the incident.

2. Understanding about Network and its Operations

   A cyber forensic engineer should have a hands-on understanding of networking concepts. The investigator must be aware of the network, its internal operations, different ways of data transmission and breach, and various factors behind a cyber invasion. A thorough know-how of the core networking concepts will help them gather the data from the network servers and process them to find the evidence.

3. Communication Skills

   For a digital investigator, communication skills are vital. They are often required to explain evidence and investigation procedures to the judge in a court in a simplified, non-technical manner. And this has to be done without any alterations in a clear, concise manner.

4. Attention to Detail

   For any investigator, attention to detail is a critical skill. During an ongoing investigation, they must think like threat actors to understand and analyse every little detail of how the attack was perpetrated.

5. Aspiration to Learn

   The cyber forensics domain is evolving by leaps and bounds. Hackers are upgrading their attacks, and the digital investigator has to be on his toes to stay one step ahead of them. Cyber Forensic professionals should stay updated with the latest technologies and trends to deal with advanced and complicated cybercrime incidents.

Who Can Join Cyber Forensics?

 
Cyber forensics career in India mostly focuses on using digital investigation skills for criminal justice systems. Additionally, organisations are hiring investigators to address cybercrime incidents and internal threat actors.
Since computer forensic careers require both technical and analytical skills, someone with a degree in computer sciences, computer applications, or information technology is recommended.

But anyone, irrespective of professional and academic background, can get started with cyber forensics.

The key to success in this domain is not the technical background- but rather the learner’s desire to learn and implement the technology to locate the breach. A digital investigator needs to pursue a diploma or certification in ethical hacking or information security to learn about various tools and techniques required for the job. However, dedicated cyber forensics courses are more suitable for someone with an experience in cybersecurity fundamentals.
 

Cyber Forensics Course Roadmap

Here is a learning roadmap recommended for students aiming for cyber forensics. This roadmap has been separated into two parts – Non-IT Background and IT background for convenience.

1. Non-IT background

   Cyber forensics is a dynamic field with numerous specialisations from networking to examining live Windows Registry. In this domain, it is always your interests that guide your path. But here is an overview to get started:

   • Basic Networking

     This topic focuses on exploring the fundamentals of computer networking and storage. Since these networks are mostly the intended targets of hackers, it is essential for a digital investigator to know about different kinds of threat actors that pose dangers to a computer network.

   • Ethical Hacking

     It aims at helping the potential victims of impending online attacks by searching for vulnerabilities.

   • Basic Penetration Testing

     Penetration testing runs authorised simulated attacks on a computer network to assess existing vulnerabilities.

   • Basic Cyber Forensics Course

     The dedicated cyber forensics course aims to teach essential tools and techniques required to analyse digital data.

   • CHFI-Certification Course

     This advanced-level cyber forensics certification course focuses on an industry-recognised digital investigation that is deployed in real-world scenarios.

2. IT-Background

   For a career in cyber forensics from an IT background would ideally come with fundamental knowledge of networking and programming. Ideally, these candidates could start with the basic Cyber Forensics Course and then progress to the CHFI Certification Course.

Cyber Forensics Course Curriculum

A dedicated cyber forensics course ideally covers the fundamentals of cyber law and cyber forensic investigation. The curriculum also includes Data Recovery, Cyber Security, and Cyber Investigation.

The table below enlists the topics covered in this cybersecurity specialisation.

Basic Cyber Forensics Courses and Certifications For Successful Career

Here are some of the most relevant cyber forensic courses for students.

1. GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)

   The GCFA certification validates a candidate’s knowledge and skills to conduct official incident investigations. This certification primarily aims at developing core skills necessary to collect and analyse data from computer systems.

2. Certification In Cyber Forensics

   The cyber forensics program by Dataspace Academy primarily focuses on building essential cyber forensics skills like mobile forensics and data recovery.

3. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)

   This EC-Council accredited course aims at building necessary security disciplines of digital forensics from a vendor-neutral perspective.

4. Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH)

   The C|EH course works as an introduction to Ethical Hacking. This course works as a stepping stone to learning penetration testing, one of the most crucial topics in the cyber forensics domain.

5. GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)

   The GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) certification trains learners on how to reverse-engineer malicious codes. The certification aims at training the learner on how to examine malware and its operations with respect to cyber forensic investigations.

6. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

   CISSP-certified cyber forensic professionals help IT organisations prevent network security threats and vulnerabilities with dedicated threat management protocols.

7. GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)

   Launched by Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), the GCFE certification aims at examining and analysing digital media.

8. GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA)

   The GNFA certification validates a candidate’s ability to run network forensic artefact analysis seamlessly.

9. Offensive Security Certified Professional certification (OSCP)

   This certification primarily focuses on penetration testing along with white-hat hacking. It is a beginner-friendly certification offered by Offensive Security.

10. Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE)

    This advanced-level certification primarily focuses on Windows Exploitation and trains on in-depth vulnerability assessment. This certification tests the learner’s ability to find the problematic code and develop a functioning exploit under various modern Windows operating systems. This certification is highly valued for a career in cyber forensics.

11. Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE)

    This is another advanced-level certification issued by Offensive Security. It tests the learner’s penetration testing ability to run vulnerability exploits and execute attacks on compromised systems to gain administrative access.

12. CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ Certification

    The CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ certification is suitable for both IT and non-technical professionals aiming to transition to cloud service. It is an internationally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that tests a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of cloud assessment.

13. GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics Certification (GASF)

    The GASF certification tests a candidate’s ability to run forensic examinations on mobile phones and tablets.

14. IACIS Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)

    This certification is accredited by the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists. It is a specialised certification that tests a series of core competencies in a candidate in the field of cyber forensics.

Cyber Forensics Job Roles and Salary

Computer forensics is an exponentially growing field, with higher opportunities for career development. The cyber forensics investigator can land a job in both government and mid- to large-sized corporations and private forensics laboratories.
Some potential computer forensics job titles might include:

1. Mobile Forensic Expert

   This job mostly entails examining and acquiring data from mobile phones or similar electronic devices for investigation purposes.

   • Highest Expected Salary:

     INR 25.0 LPA

   • Companies Hiring:

     GE, Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd

2. Network Forensic Expert

   This role primarily focuses on locating the root cause and impact of digital threats by recording and analysing network traffic and audit files.

   • Highest Expected Salary:

     INR 19.34 L PA

   • Companies Hiring:

     Vodafone Idea Limited, NTT Global Data Centers

3. Malware Forensic Expert:

   Among other things, these professionals work closely with the organisation’s cybersecurity team for identifying and preventing malware threats.

   • Highest Expected Salary:

     INR 17.8 LPA

   • Companies Hiring:

     Mindtree, Cognizant

4. Cloud Security Engineer:

   These professionals investigate cloud environments for security incidents and locate individuals or groups responsible for the issues.

   • Highest Expected Salary:

     INR 24.3 LPA

   • Companies Hiring:

     Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services, Capgemini

5. Storage Security Engineer:

   This job primarily focuses on protecting the shared network within an organisation and investigating the exact reasons and persons responsible for data breach incidents.

   • Highest Expected Salary:

     INR 11.5 LPA

   • Companies Hiring:

     Amity University, Government of Maharashtra, KPMG

6. Digital/Cyber Forensics Manager:

   This job entails the usage of technology to investigate, identify, and store evidence from an electronic device used at a crime scene.

   • Highest Expected Salary:

     INR 23.34LPA

   • Companies Hiring:

     PWC, EY

Case Study: A Person Who Joined An Esteemed Organisation After Completing the Course

Sayantan Mukherjee had this one dream from his childhood: To join law enforcement to beat the bad actors out.
 
He wanted to make a proactive contribution to combat crime and make the world a safer place.
Unfortunately, Sayantan could not appear for the IPS as he did not match the eyesight requirements. Disappointed, he started looking for other courses where he could build his career.
 
However, destiny had other plans in store for him. As Sayantan was proceeding with university applications, one of his cousins mentioned to him the Cyber Forensics Certification course offered by DataSpace Academy. Sayantan was afraid that his non-tech background might be an obstacle in entering the field of Cyber Forensics. However, he didn’t lose hope and one day he made a call to DataSpace Academy to understand the eligibility criteria. Much to his surprise and relief, they told him that people from non-tech backgrounds too can join the course- it’s just that they have to start from the fundamental or beginner courses of cyber security.
 
Sayantan immediately joined the Prerequisites of Cybersecurity course offered by DataSpace Academy. After completing the course, he completed the Cybersecurity Essentials Certification program before finally moving on to the Certification in Cyber Forensic course from DataSpace Academy. He has successfully completed the course and also participated in the internship program offered by the Academy.
 
DataSpace Academy also supported him with dedicated placement assistance. Today, Sayantan is living his dreams as one of the Cyber Forensic experts with the CBI.
 

Roadblocks for Aspirants

Cyber forensics is a rewarding yet challenging domain. Some of the common challenges experienced by aspiring Cyber Forensics professionals are:

1. Technical Complexity:

   Cyber forensics is a complex subject, requiring an in-depth understanding of both technical and soft skills for investigation purposes.

2. The Swift Change in Technology:

   Technology is rapidly evolving. Oftentimes, learners struggle to keep up with technological changes and find quick resolutions to the issues.

3. Lack of Practical Experience in Tools:

   Most often students do not get much hands-on experience with various tools used in real-world scenarios.

However, all these roadblocks could be addressed under the right guidance and mentorship.

Leading cybersecurity training institute DataSpace Academy is helping aspiring professionals overcome these roadblocks through its industry-recognised, beginner-friendly, and job-ready cyber forensic certification course. The award-winning institute offers extensive training that includes both classroom and hands-on training to build a career in cyber forensics. This program prepares aspiring professionals for real-life digital forensic investigation situations. DataSpace Academy also extends internship opportunities and dedicated placement assistance to help cyber forensic professionals stand out in the competition.