Digital Forensic Expert: Today's era is digital. Every work is now being done through a computer, mobile, internet, or cloud-be it banking, office work, studies, or social media. But as fast as digital technology has made life easier, digital crimes have also increased at the same pace. There has been a flood of cases like hacking, data theft, online fraud, and bullying. In such a situation, the work of getting to the bottom of these crimes and bringing out the truth is done by digital forensic experts.

They are often also called "the detective behind the screen" or "digital data detective". They are neither identified by their uniforms nor by any weapons, but their biggest weapon is their deep understanding of technology and the art of collecting digital evidence.

Who is a digital forensic expert?

A digital forensic expert is a professional who recovers deleted or hidden information from digital sources such as computers, mobiles, hard drives, emails, social media or the cloud and presents it as legal evidence.

If someone has committed an online bank fraud, or a criminal has tried to erase evidence from the mobile, then in such cases this expert recovers the deleted data. They prepare forensic reports that can be presented in court so that the criminal can be punished.

What is their work?

The work of a digital forensic expert is very complicated and sensitive. They have to convert every bit and byte into evidence. Their work includes:

Recovering deleted data, emails or call records

Detecting tampering done through virus or malware

Tracing files hidden in computer or mobile

Investigating cyber crime, bank fraud, hacking

Preparing statutory reports of digital evidence

Providing technical support to court and law agencies in cases

These experts often get a chance to work with CBI, ED, Crime Branch, or Cyber Crime Cell. Apart from this, many times private companies and banks also hire them for cyber security.

What to study?

Science or technology background is necessary to become a professional in digital forensics, but now the path to career in it has opened up for law and criminology students as well.

Diploma and Certificate Courses:

Digital Forensics & Cyber Law

Mobile Forensics

Cyber Crime Investigation

Network & Ethical Hacking Forensics

Degree Courses:

B.Sc / M.Sc in Cyber Security

PG Diploma in Digital Forensics

Integrated Law + Forensics Courses

B.Tech / M.Tech in Cyber Security

Where can you study?

Apart from this, some foreign universities also offer excellent online courses in this field, such as SANS Institute (USA), EC-Council, and courses offered by Google or IBM through the Coursera platform.

Where can one get a job?

As digital crime is increasing, the demand for digital forensic experts is also increasing rapidly. These experts can work in various fields:

🔹 Law agencies: CBI, ED, Crime Branch, Police Cyber Cell

🔹 Judicial sector: Assist in gathering digital evidence in court cases

🔹 Corporate sector: In cyber security department

🔹 Banking and fintech companies: Part of fraud detection team

🔹 Private forensic labs: With independent investigation agencies

🔹 Freelance or consultant: Collaboration with law firms, startups, journalists

Future and scope

Digital forensics is not just a career, but is becoming the most important specialization of the future.

Expansion of digitalization: Every sector is going digital—this means crimes are also going digital.

Data privacy law: With the implementation of the new data protection law (DPDP Act) in India, companies now need professional investigation services.

Combination of AI and forensics: Artificial intelligence is now making digital forensic investigation even faster.

Huge shortage of experts: Digital forensic profession trained across the country