Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics  — What’s the Difference?

If there’s ever a time to explore a career in cybersecurity, it’s now. Cybersecurity itself is a large umbrella under which there are a variety of related sub-disciplines and fields that offer ample opportunity to learn and grow — including the exciting field of digital forensics. Though cybersecurity and digital forensics are closely related and may even overlap at times, there are some distinct differences.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a proactive approach of 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 Computer forensics is more of an outdated term that focuses on digital evidence within computers, whereas cyber forensics casts a wider net of evidence sources including mobile devices, networks, the cloud, 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 — taking steps to prevent and guard against attacks — whereas digital forensics is reactive — using 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 case
• Incident response — Examining operating system artifacts to find the cause of a data breach

Specializations Within Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

If you’re looking for a career within cybersecurity or cyber forensics, you also have the opportunity to work within a sub-discipline or specialization. Here are some popular options:

Cybersecurity

Digital/cyber forensics

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.

• Management — These administrative roles are often senior-level, director-type positions. Examples of roles include chief information security officer, security operations center (SOC) manager and director of cybersecurity.
• Consulting — These individuals evaluate the security and risk posture of a business or organization, offering solutions and recommendations for security measures and protection.
• Incident response — Professionals in this particular area work to detect and mitigate cyber incidents. They also help assist in recovery efforts and post-incident analysis.
• Engineering — There are many engineering positions within cybersecurity, including security systems, network security, cloud security and cryptographic engineer roles.
• Analysis — Professionals in these roles review and assess information and data in order to further understand cyber threats. Examples of roles include cybersecurity analyst and threat intelligence analyst.
• Policy Development — This work involves creating, analyzing and reviewing laws, guidelines and regulations pertaining to cybersecurity. Examples may include cybersecurity compliance officer or government advisor.
• Industrial Control Systems — These positions work to protect critical infrastructure such as transportation systems and power plants from cyber threats that could cause public harm. Jobs in this area include engineers, security analysts and consultants.
• Research — Researchers are continually needed in cybersecurity in order to better understand cyber threats and developing trends and technologies. Jobs in this area also include analysts, data scientists, academic professors and security architects.
• Legal Affairs — These positions focus on compliance and/or legal issues pertaining to cybersecurity. Roles include lawyers, attorneys, privacy officers, compliance specialists and policy advisors.

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 400,000 job openings with the most unfilled positions in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois and New York.

You also have the ability to 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 more of a specialized focus than cybersecurity, a degree in this type of field doesn’t mean you are limited to jobs with “forensics” in the name.

This type of background can prepare you for careers with job titles such as:

• Information security analyst
• Computer forensic analyst
• Digital forensic analyst
• Digital forensic examiner
• IT auditor
• Cybersecurity consultant
• Cyber defense forensic analyst
• Forensic technician

Companies and organizations that are 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.

Recent titles from real-life job postings include:

• Data forensics specialist
• Cyber threat hunter
• Digital forensics and incident response investigator
• Digital forensic examiner

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.

How to Get Started (Career Tips & Advice)

If you’re interested in a career in either one of these areas, obtaining a relevant undergraduate degree that is designed for developing industry practitioners is a good place to start. Consider majoring in cybersecurity, cyber forensics, computer science or a related field. You also want to find the right undergraduate program — one that offers a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum, knowledgeable faculty and helpful career support.

An internship is an excellent opportunity to learn about this type of work first-hand. Companies and organizations that have recently advertised cybersecurity and cyber forensics internships include the Georgia Tech Research Institute, Naval Nuclear Laboratory, Campbell’s, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Major League Baseball, Booz Allen Hamilton and NBCUniverisal.

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 make a connection 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.