Security for law enforcement

RichardP

Hey guys,

I recently joined an investigative law enforcement agency and I'm looking to move into cyber investigations and digital forensics, but I honestly don't know where to start. While I don't have any certificates, I do have enough knowledge to do well on the A+ and others.

Any insight on where I should start would definitely be helpful

Thanks

xxxkaliboyxxx

Crawl, walk, run. Start at the beginning of cyber security and that is either Security+ or the SSCP.

PJ_Sneakers

Are you a commissioned officer?

the_Grinch

What's your position and what is your current experience?

I definitely agree you should go for A+. From there I would focus on operating systems and how they work. In an investigation you will need to know where to look and what to look for. That would require knowing an operating system inside and out. Also learning how what you do changes things within the system. Then I would begin to review for Security+ and whatever specific forensic software your agency uses.

Final note, speak with your agency and investigators in the unit you want to be in. They should be able to provide you with what your agency would require training wise (as well as what they would pay for) and give you some guidance on how you should proceed.

RichardP

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

Are you a commissioned officer?

I'm an investigator with peace officer status in NY

NavyMooseCCNA

I second the advice above. Start with A+, I personally would not waste my time with Network+ and go straight for CCNA Routing & Switching, and finally Security+ or SSCP. Both Security+ and SSCP fulfill DODi8570. The organization which offers SSCP, ISC^2, has a digital forensics certification, I believe it is called CCFP.

@RichardP, thank you for your Service!

PJ_Sneakers

From where you are, you have to evaluate what your position is in the agency. Do you even have a chance at doing cyber investigations? Forensics is hard to get into because the federal schools have very competitive admissions, and many agencies don't see a need to do them in-house.

If you are actually able to do this, you should look at getting your agency to send you to training with NW3C, NCFI, and FLETC. And of course, the crown jewel of criminal digital forensics is getting into IACIS and getting certified as a CFCE which is a relatively involved process. A+, Net+, and Sec+ will be very helpful for you to understand the material.

jcundiff

if you are a veteran, check out Fed-VTE, they have some forensics and investigation courses. free if you served