If there’s ever a time to explore a career in cybersecurity, it’s now. Cybersecurity is a large umbrella that covers a variety of related sub-disciplines and fields, all of which offer ample opportunity to learn and grow. The field of digital forensics is an exciting option for those who enjoy investigating and sleuthing. Though cybersecurity and digital forensics are closely related and may even overlap at times, there are some distinct differences.
Key Takeaways
- Cybersecurity defends against threats. Digital forensics investigates what happened. One builds defenses, the other collects and analyzes evidence.
- Digital forensics emphasizes evidence preservation. Examiners document how evidence was collected, handled and analyzed so their findings can withstand scrutiny in legal, insurance and regulatory contexts.
- The fields overlap. Powering off a compromised device may help contain a threat but can also eliminate volatile evidence in memory, which is why incident response and forensics often work together.
- Digital forensics can include fraud, intellectual property theft, employment disputes and family law, not just cybersecurity incidents.
- Marshall’s B.S. in Cyber Forensics and Security divides its curriculum between cybersecurity and digital forensics.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is a proactive approach to protecting and safeguarding digital information, networks, computers and other forms of technology against cyber attacks and other security risks. The official definition from Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency defines cybersecurity as “the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.”
Today, cybersecurity includes protecting everything from computers and laptops to cell phones, tablets, email, credit cards, critical infrastructure and online bank accounts and medical records, all of which can contain valuable data and information.
What is Digital Forensics?
Digital forensics, also known as cyber forensics, is the process of identifying, preserving, collecting and analyzing digital evidence such as text messages, emails, Internet browsing history, social media posts and more. Digital evidence is most often associated with legal proceedings, but it’s also used in many other contexts, such as in military and administrative investigations.
Some people use the terms computer forensics and cyber forensics interchangeably, but they do differ. Computer forensics is more of an outdated term that focuses on digital evidence within computers, whereas cyber forensics casts a wider net of evidence sources including mobile devices, networks, cloud servers, surveillance cameras, GPS devices, connected cars, etc. Cyber, like digital, is a more inclusive term given today’s different sub-disciplines.
Today, many digital, cyber or computer forensics positions work on the same types of cases, including cyberstalking, cyber attacks, child exploitation, identity theft, online harassment, fraud, violations of company policy, wrongful termination, divorce and identifying terrorist cells.
One of the major differences between cybersecurity and digital forensics is that cybersecurity is proactive, meaning that you take steps to prevent and guard against attacks. Digital forensics, on the other hand, is reactive, which means you use forensics to investigate crimes that have already occurred. Cyber forensics is broader than just criminal cases and can be instrumental in reconstructing timelines and events.
Here are some examples of digital evidence within different use cases:
- Criminal cases — Pictures and messages on social media that can help determine motive; reconstructing timelines based on SMS messaging, phone call timestamps and AMT transaction logs
- Civil cases — Emails, instant messages, chat logs, spreadsheets and signed electronic contracts in cases of family law or employee discrimination
- Military and intelligence — Access logs, software logs, metadata and Internet browsing history that display motive and opportunity in cases of electronic warfare or terrorism
- Administrative investigations — Electronic communications, financial records and intellectual property theft that are key to non-compliance cases
- Incident response — Examining operating system artifacts to find the cause of a data breach
Digital Forensics vs. Incident Response: What’s the Difference?
Incident response is the operational process of detecting a breach, containing the threat and restoring normal systems, with speed being one important measure of effectiveness. Digital forensics is the evidence side of the work: collecting and analyzing data under a documented chain of custody so investigators can preserve the integrity of their findings for legal proceedings, insurance claims or regulatory investigations.
The two disciplines have different purposes but are closely connected in practice. For example, powering off a compromised device may help contain a threat but can also eliminate evidence stored in memory. That’s why incident responders need to consider forensic requirements when taking action, and why the combined discipline is often called digital forensics and incident response (DFIR).
Specializations Within Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
If you’re looking for a career in cybersecurity or cyber forensics, you can choose to work within a sub-discipline or specialization. Here are some popular options:
Cybersecurity
| Specialization | What the Work Involves |
|---|---|
| Security operations | Monitoring networks for suspicious activity, triaging alerts and filtering false positives, usually from a security operations center (SOC) |
| Incident response | Detecting breaches, containing and eradicating threats, restoring affected systems and running post-incident reviews |
| Network security | Protecting network infrastructure, deploying firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs), segmenting networks to limit an attacker’s reach |
| Cloud security | Securing cloud workloads and configurations, managing access across cloud platforms, catching misconfigurations before attackers do |
| Application security | Testing software for vulnerabilities, reviewing code and working with developers on secure design |
| Identity and access management | Controlling who can access which systems, managing authentication and enforcing least-privilege access |
| Cryptography | Designing and implementing encryption, and analyzing ciphers and their implementations for weaknesses |
| Governance, risk and compliance | Writing security policy, mapping controls to regulations and preparing for audits |
Digital and cyber forensics
| Specialization | What the Work Involves |
|---|---|
| File system forensics | Recovering and analyzing files, folders and deleted data stored on endpoints |
| Memory forensics | Analyzing a device’s random access memory (RAM) for attack indicators that never touch the file system |
| Network forensics | Reconstructing network activity to identify an intrusion, trace an attacker’s techniques and determine the scope of an incident |
| Mobile forensics | Extracting and analyzing call records, messages, contacts, photos, app usage and location data from phones and tablets |
| Cloud forensics | Collecting and analyzing evidence from cloud platforms, where data is distributed and traditional imaging methods do not apply |
| Multimedia forensics | Analyzing images, video and audio for evidentiary detail or signs of manipulation, and enhancing recordings |
| Malware analysis | Reverse-engineering malicious code to determine what it does, how it spread and what it accessed |
Cybersercurity Career Paths
Cybersecurity is a broad category that includes many different subdisciplines and career paths. It’s also important to note there are both technical and non-technical roles available.
| Career Path | Typical Responsibilities | Example Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Security operations | Monitoring networks and traffic for potential threats, triaging alerts and implementing security procedures, usually from a security operations center | SOC Analyst, security monitoring specialist |
| Incident response | Detecting and mitigating cyber incidents, then assisting with recovery and post-incident analysis | Incident responder, DFIR analyst |
| Engineering | Building and maintaining the systems that protect an organization, from firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs) to encryption | Network security engineer, cloud security |
| Analysis | Reviewing and assessing data to better understand cyber threats, including information gathered from publicly available sources such as social media, databases and websites | Cybersecurity analyst, cyber threat intelligence analyst, open source intelligence analyst |
| Policy development | Creating, analyzing and reviewing the laws, guidelines and regulations pertaining to cybersecurity | Cybersecurity compliance offer, government advisor |
| Industrial control systems | Protecting critical infrastructure such as transportation systems and power plants from cyber threats that could cause public harm | Control systems engineer, ICS security engineer |
| Legal affairs | Handling the compliance and legal issues pertaining to cybersecurity | Cybersecurity attorney, privacy officer, data protection officer, compliance specialist, policy advisor |
| Consulting | Evaluating the security and risk posture of an organization, then recommending protective measures | Security consultant, risk assessment consultant |
| Management | Leading security teams and setting organizational security strategy, typically after years in a technical role | Chief information security officer, security operations center manager, director of cybersecurity |
| Research | Studying cyber threats and emerging trends and technologies | Security researcher, data scientist, security architect, academic professor |
Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand. From small, private businesses to large public enterprises, all types and levels of cybersecurity professionals are needed. According to Cyberseek, there are more than 500,000 job openings, with the most unfilled positions in California, Texas, Florida, Virginia, Illinois, New York, Colorado and Maryland.
You can work in any type of industry. Companies that are hiring include government contractors, insurance businesses, colleges and universities, banks, hospitals and healthcare facilities, software developers, sports teams, retailers, entertainment venues and more.
Digital Forensics Career Paths
While cyber forensics has a more specialized focus than cybersecurity, a degree in the field doesn’t limit you to jobs with “forensics” in the name.
| Career Path | Typical Responsibilities | Example Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation and examination | Acquiring and analyzing digital evidence from devices, networks and cloud accounts, then documenting findings in reports that hold up to outside scrutiny | Digital forensics examiner, digital forensics analyst, computer forensics analyst, forensic technician |
| Incident response | Investigating active and recent breaches, determining how far an attacker got and preserving evidence while the threat is contained | Cyber defense forensics analyst, DFIR investigator, cyber threat hunter |
| Corporate security and audit | Investigating internal matters such as policy violations, intellectual property theft and fraud, and verifying that systems and records meet compliance requirements | Information security analyst, information technology (IT) auditor, data forensics specialist |
| Consulting | Advising organizations on forensic readiness and evidence handling, and taking on investigations for clients who lack in-house capability | Cybersecurity consultant, forensics consultant |
Companies and organizations hiring for these types of positions include branches of the government, law enforcement agencies, IT companies, security firms, government contractors, consulting firms, law firms and even retailers and entertainment companies.
Tools Used in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
Both fields run on specialized software, and the split between them reflects what each is trying to do. Security tools monitor, test and respond across systems at scale. Forensic tools acquire, preserve and analyze digital evidence while maintaining its integrity.
Cybersecurity
| Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Wireshark | Captures and inspects network traffic packet by packet, supporting network troubleshooting and investigations of suspicious activity |
| Nmap | Scans networks to discover hosts, open ports and running services |
| Nessus and OpenVAS | Scan systems for vulnerabilities such as unpatched software and misconfigurations and provide severity or prioritization information |
| Splunk | A security information and event management (SIEM) platform that aggregates and correlates log data from across an environment |
| Metasploit | A penetration testing framework used in authorized environments to test whether known vulnerabilities are exploitable |
| Kali Linux | A Linux distribution designed for penetration testing and security work that includes hundreds of security and forensic tools |
Digital and Cyber Forensics
| Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Autopsy | A free, open-source platform for examining disk images, recovering deleted files and building activity timelines |
| FTK and EnCase | Commercial forensic suites widely used by investigators and forensic examiners to acquire, analyze and report on digital evidence |
| Volatility | An open-source framework for analyzing memory captures, where evidence that can disappear when a system shuts down may be found |
| Cellebrite and Magnet AXIOM | Forensic platforms used to acquire, recover and analyze data from mobile devices and other digital sources, including messages, app data, files and location information |
| Write blockers | Hardware that allows an examiner to access storage media while preventing writes to the original media, helping preserve evidence integrity |
| Hashing utilities | Generate cryptographic hash values that investigators can compare to verify that an acquired copy matches the original and detect subsequent changes |
Digital Forensics vs. Cybersecurity (Comparison Table)
Looking for a side-by-side comparison? Here’s a quick look at how cybersecurity and digital forensics stack up.
| Cybersecurity | Digital/Cyber Forensics | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | The proactive approach of protecting and safeguarding digital information, networks, computers and other forms of technology against cyber attacks and other security risks | The proactive approach of protecting and safeguarding digital information, networks, computers and other forms of technology against cyber attacks and other security risks |
| Education | Entry-level positions may only require an associate’s degree. Many mid-level roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering or a related field. Senior-level, director or management roles may require an advanced education. | A bachelor’s degree in computer forensics, computer science, cybersecurity or a related field may be preferred; some positions may only require an associate’s degree or have no education requirements at all. A master’s degree may be required for certain positions. |
| In-demand certifications |
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| Examples of job titles |
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Which Career Path Is Right for You?
Choosing between cybersecurity and digital forensics comes down less to which topics interest you and more to how you like to work. The two fields solve related problems at very different tempos.
Choosing between cybersecurity and digital forensics comes down less to which topics interest you and more to how you like to work. The two fields solve related problems at very different tempos.
Cybersecurity may suit you if you:
- Work well under time pressure. Security operations and incident response often involve alert queues, on-call rotations and decisions made with incomplete information.
- Prefer building to investigating. Much of cybersecurity involves designing, implementing and maintaining defenses rather than reconstructing what already happened.
- Are comfortable without closure? There is no point at which a network is finished being secured. Threats, vulnerabilities and defensive priorities keep changing.
Digital forensics may suit you if you:
- Have patience for meticulous documentation. Examiners need to document how evidence was collected, handled and analyzed, and poor evidence-handling practices can undermine an investigation.
- Write well and can defend your reasoning. Findings end up in reports read by attorneys, investigators, auditors and other experts, and examiners may be called to testify.
- Like investigations with defined endpoints. Many forensic investigations begin with a specific incident or case and conclude with documented findings, which can suit people who like seeing an investigation through to completion.
One reality worth knowing before you commit: some forensic casework, particularly in law enforcement, can involve exposure to disturbing material, including child exploitation cases. Many examiners find the work meaningful because of its stakes, but it’s a genuine consideration and one that programs and employers discuss openly.
You also don’t have to decide now. The skill sets overlap enough that professionals can move between cybersecurity and digital forensics, and some roles combine elements of both. Coursework, hands-on labs and an internship can also help you determine which path might be best.
How to Get Started (Career Tips & Advice)
If you’re interested in either field, start with an undergraduate degree built around practitioner training rather than theory alone. Marshall’s Bachelor of Science in Cyber Forensics & Security sits in the Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensic Sciences and teaches both disciplines side by side.
On the forensics side, Digital Evidence covers forensic imaging, data recovery, password cracking and report writing, and students go deeper through Network Forensics, Mobile Device Forensics and Multimedia Forensics.
On the security side, Network Defense examines the strategies and tools used to detect and respond to common network attacks, while Network Penetration and Attack and Exploit Development teach the offensive techniques defenders need to understand. Students finish with a capstone built around realistic practical exercises and can take an internship or Collegiate Cyber Competition for credit.
An internship is an excellent opportunity to learn about the work first-hand. Companies and organizations that have recently advertised cybersecurity and cyber forensics internships include Sony, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Leidos, Texas Department of Transportation, American Express, Vanguard, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Lego Group.
You should also consider the power of the informational interview, which one career website describes as “a hybrid of an amazing networking opportunity, an info session, and a job interview.” This low-stakes, no-strings-attached conversation is an excellent way to learn more about the field and connect with someone in the industry.
Finally, think about continuing your education with certifications or a master’s degree, both of which may be required for certain positions.
If you’re trying to decide between cyber forensics and cybersecurity, there’s good news — you don’t have to choose. Marshall University’s Bachelor of Science in Cyber Forensics & Security offers the best of both worlds in a practitioner-focused program that emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving and communication through a challenging, hands-on curriculum that’s split 50/50 between cybersecurity and forensics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cybersecurity roles generally offer higher salaries than digital forensics roles, particularly at senior levels, although pay varies considerably by position, experience, industry and location. Digital forensics salaries can be lower on average because many examiner positions are in law enforcement and government. Higher-paying forensic roles can include incident response consulting and specialized areas such as cloud forensics.
You don’t need to know how to code to work in digital forensics, but programming and scripting skills can be valuable. Many commercial and open-source forensic tools, including FTK, EnCase and Autopsy, provide graphical interfaces for analysis. Programming becomes particularly useful when you need to automate repetitive tasks, parse large data sets or perform specialized malware analysis. Python, PowerShell and Bash can be useful for automation and scripting.
A cyber forensics degree is worth considering if you want specialized training in digital investigations rather than the broader technical foundation of computer science. A computer science degree typically provides deeper foundations in programming, algorithms, systems and computing theory, while a cyber forensics program focuses more directly on evidence handling, forensic tools, digital investigations and legal considerations. Choose computer science if you want broader flexibility across technology careers or cyber forensics if you’re specifically interested in investigating digital evidence.
Digital forensics examiners are sometimes called to testify in court, although it depends heavily on where they work and the types of cases they handle. Examiners involved in law enforcement and criminal casework may testify more often, while many corporate and incident response examiners never take the stand. In either setting, attorneys, auditors or other experts may scrutinize written reports, which makes careful documentation and clear writing important skills in this field.
Yes, you can switch from cybersecurity to digital forensics later in your career, and many professionals do so. The transition can be relatively straightforward for professionals who already have experience with networks, operating systems, log analysis and security investigations. Incident response can be a natural bridge because it draws on skills from both cybersecurity and digital forensics. A certification such as the GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) can also demonstrate specialized forensic knowledge, although certification isn’t required for every forensic role.