What is Computer Forensics?

By DeVry University

May 13, 2023
6 min read

Computer forensics is a field of technology that uses investigative techniques to identify and store evidence from a computer device. Often, computer forensics is used to uncover evidence that could be used in a court of law.

Computer forensics also encompasses areas outside of investigations. Sometimes professionals in this field might be called upon to recover lost data from drives that have failed, servers that have crashed or operating systems that have been reformatted.

In this article, you'll learn about the tasks that these professionals perform, the skills they need, and how the field differs from cyber security as we explore the following sections:

Aside from working to collect evidence, computer forensics professionals can also work in data recovery. When it comes to data recovery, forensics professionals can take broken hard drives, crashed servers and other compromised devices and retrieve the data that was previously lost. This is valuable for anyone who has lost important data outside of uncovering criminal evidence, such as businesses that have experienced a system crash.

To those outside the profession, computer forensics and cyber security can seem rather similar. Both deal with criminals and computers, but despite this initial similarity, the function of each practice differs greatly.

To recap, computer forensics is focused largely on data recovery. The data recovered is often used as evidence in criminal trials, but sometimes is recovered for companies after a data loss incident. Additionally, the criminals that computer forensics professionals investigate are not always cybercriminals. Because almost everyone uses a computer, there is often valuable information on their personal device that can contribute to an investigation.

Cyber security, on the other hand, is more concerned with defense. Cyber security professionals work under a variety of job titles, but nearly all of them work to build networks and systems that are secure from potential attackers. Sometimes they use hacking to test their own networks or the networks of a client to find areas of weakness and bolster them.

There are several great reasons to study computer forensics. First, there is the projected rate of growth within the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics¹ estimates that the field will grow on a national level by 33% between 2020 and 2030. In addition to being a fast-growing field, the practice of computer forensics can be deeply rewarding.

Computer forensics may be a great fit for the technologically inclined and analytically minded. If you're interested in technology, analyzing data and taking part in investigations, then computer forensics might be for you.

DeVry University offers a degree specialization in Computer Forensics as one of seven specializations available within Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems program. Students pursuing the Computer Forensics specialization have the opportunity to learn more about the procedures involved in investigating crimes, understanding of leading computer forensic software applications and the laws and ethics that affect digital evidence.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics - Information Security Analysts Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location.
²Applicants for jobs in the justice administration field may be subject to pre-employment screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, drug and/or alcohol testing, physical and/or psychological examinations and credit checks. Unsatisfactory screening results may disqualify an applicant for a position in the justice administration field. Additional government-required training programs may be necessary to obtain employment in this field.
³Employment in this occupation may require years of relevant experience.