Offered a digital forensics role!

si20 · November 2015

I've been seeking a digital forensics role since early 2014. Almost 2 years later, I attended an interview with 15 people and managed to get into the top 4 and get offered a job. The day consisted of team building exercises, an exam and a presentation. Initially, 4-5 people got knocked out of the 15 and I was in the top 10, then after my presentation, I was told that I was in the top 4 and they were going to offer me the job (in law enforcement).

I'm going to be taking a big pay cut (50%) which sounds absolutely crazy, I know. But for the past 18 months, i've been doing jobs that I hate because I couldn't get into forensics. I currently work in a well-paid job but the actual job role itself is absolutely soul-destroying (I work in a SOC).

I'm waiting on the contract to arrive along with a confirmation of my vetting, and i'm good to go!

dustervoice · November 2015

Congrats on your new job. Well done!

If this is what you really want to do then you shoudn't worry about the money too much i'm sure the money will come in due course. I've also looked at forensic roles here in UK but i would be taking a 75% pay cut. roles are interesting however money sucks. It is really that bad working in a SOC?

si20 · November 2015

dustervoice wrote: »

Congrats on your new job. Well done! If this is what you really want to do then you shoudn't worry about the money too much i'm sure the money will come in due course. I've also looked at forensic roles here in UK but i would be taking a 75% pay cut. roles are interesting however money sucks. It is really that bad working in a SOC?

Thanks Duster! The money does suck but from what i've seen, once you've got experience in forensics, the money goes up. My observations show that you could have 10+ years IT experience, but unless you have forensics experience, you WILL begin on a basic salary.

Yes, SOC's are... well, I always point people to this thread, as it explains SOC's perfectly.

wayne_wonder · November 2015

si20 wrote: »

Thanks Duster! The money does suck but from what i've seen, once you've got experience in forensics, the money goes up. My observations show that you could have 10+ years IT experience, but unless you have forensics experience, you WILL begin on a basic salary.

Yes, SOC's are... well, I always point people to this thread, as it explains SOC's perfectly.

I'm in the uk too i saw looking at SOC roles think i will pass now since they're that bad

Danielm7 · November 2015

si20 wrote: »

Thanks Duster! The money does suck but from what i've seen, once you've got experience in forensics, the money goes up

I'm not familiar with the UK market, but from the few people I know in the US doing it, you'd have to leave the law enforcement arena to see the salary go up. Either way, congrats on the big move!

danny069 · November 2015

That sounds like one hell of an interview, congratulations!

Kinet1c · November 2015

Congrats on the job!

dustervoice · November 2015

Danielm7 wrote: »

I'm not familiar with the UK market, but from the few people I know in the US doing it, you'd have to leave the law enforcement arena to see the salary go up.

I've seen most of the forensic roles here in the UK advertise for around £25k thats around $39k USD. No one can get me out of bed for that kind of money unless there are no other options!

cyberguypr · November 2015

Life is short, glad to see you are pursuing your passion. Congrats on the gig!

the_Grinch · November 2015

"Sometimes it's necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly." - The Zoo Story - Congrats and good luck!