Computer forensics is the process of the investigation of computer systems through the collection and analysis of computer-related evidence and information to be able to determine any unauthorized or illegal involvement of these evidences in fraudulent activities and other crimes. This is quite a new field is already being used by the military, law enforcement, businesses and intelligence agencies. The protocols in computer evidence processing are meticulously observed as it goes through the process, as all findings must be presented in court.
Computer forensics is not just confined to the process of data recovery from laptops and desktop computers. It is a fast growing technique of investigation, which is used by trained forensic specialists to retrieve data, which has been stored or encrypted electronically on digital media like work or personal computers. Law enforcement agencies also make use of computer forensics in gathering evidence on suspects or other known criminals. Experts on computer forensics could easily detect rogue contractors, as well as employees who have been leaking critical data like sensitive customer information or company plans.
A lot of computer forensics professionals internalize the techniques while working on the job on computer security or law enforcement positions. However, with the field widely expanding, employers are regularly looking for several candidates who have formal education and certificate programs in computer forensics that are available from a lot of institutions. These formal education programs offer the instructions regarding computer skills, pertinent legal issues, and other forensic tools which they would be needing as they work as computer forensics professionals.
They should have extensive knowledge of computer systems and programs and the ability to retrieve information from them. Often, they are required to retrieve data that has been deleted from the device. For this, the specialist makes use of particular computer forensics software and other tools.
Uniqueness of Computer Digital Evidence
A Navy enlisted man faced a dishonorable discharge and time in the brig for possession of child pornography after the discovery of floppy disks in a backpack he inadvertently left on a dock at muster. This case and many more, handled by computer forensic examiners every day, have convicted hundreds of criminals who committed or stored information pertaining to their crimes with computers and other digital devices. Such criminal acts now transcend traditional business crimes.
In 1948, well-known mathematician Dr. Claude Shannon outlined mathematical formulas that reduced communication processes to binary code and calculated ways to send them through communications lines. Since then, computers and other digital computing devices have used encoding methods based on the binary numbering system.
