Digital Forensics Analysts
Medium56.25%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$49,690
Median$104,920
High (90th %)$174,300
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Conduct investigations on computer-based crimes establishing documentary or physical evidence, such as digital media and logs associated with cyber intrusion incidents. Analyze digital evidence and investigate computer security incidents to derive information in support of system and network vulnerability mitigation. Preserve and present computer-related evidence in support of criminal, fraud, counterintelligence, or law enforcement investigations.
The occupation of Digital Forensics Analysts has an automation risk of 56.3%, indicating that while some tasks may be easily automated, a significant portion of the job still requires human expertise. This base risk reflects the complex and evolving technological landscape, where repetitive and rules-based tasks are increasingly handled by software, but analytical and interpretive duties continue to demand human involvement. Automation in this field tends to thrive in scenarios where procedures are standardized and follow clear logic, especially as artificial intelligence and machine learning tools advance in capability. Among the most automatable tasks for Digital Forensics Analysts are adherence to legal policies and procedures related to handling digital media, the analysis of log files or other digital information to identify the perpetrators of network intrusions, and conducting predictive or reactive analyses on security measures to support cyber security initiatives. These duties often involve the systematic application of established guidelines or the processing of large volumes of structured data—areas where automation and AI can significantly increase efficiency and accuracy. For example, automated tools can quickly review logs to highlight anomalies or apply legal checklists, reducing the manual labor involved in these activities. Conversely, tasks that are most resistant to automation are those requiring complex judgment, deep expertise, and clear contextual communication. Writing technical summaries to report findings, preparing reports, signing affidavits, or giving depositions for legal proceedings, and drafting cyber defense recommendations or white papers based on research or experience remain largely under human control. These activities depend on advanced bottleneck skills such as written communication (expert level), critical thinking and synthesis (advanced to expert), and legal interpretation (advanced). The combination of nuanced analysis, context-specific reasoning, and the need for credibility in legal contexts presents significant barriers to full automation, ensuring that Digital Forensics Analysts remain in-demand for the foreseeable future.
Filter by Automatable Status
Adhere to legal policies and procedures related to handling digital media.
Partially Automatable
Analyze log files or other digital information to identify the perpetrators of network intrusions.
Partially Automatable
Conduct predictive or reactive analyses on security measures to support cyber security initiatives.
Partially Automatable
Create system images or capture network settings from information technology environments to preserve as evidence.
Partially Automatable
Develop plans for investigating alleged computer crimes, violations, or suspicious activity.
Partially Automatable
Duplicate digital evidence to use for data recovery and analysis procedures.
Automatable
Identify or develop reverse-engineering tools to improve system capabilities or detect vulnerabilities.
Partially Automatable
Maintain cyber defense software or hardware to support responses to cyber incidents.
Partially Automatable
Perform file signature analysis to verify files on storage media or discover potential hidden files.
Automatable
Perform forensic investigations of operating or file systems.
Partially Automatable
Perform web service network traffic analysis or waveform analysis to detect anomalies, such as unusual events or trends.
Partially Automatable
Preserve and maintain digital forensic evidence for analysis.
Partially Automatable
Recommend cyber defense software or hardware to support responses to cyber incidents.
Partially Automatable
Recover data or decrypt seized data.
Partially Automatable
Write and execute scripts to automate tasks, such as parsing large data files.
Partially Automatable
Write cyber defense recommendations, reports, or white papers using research or experience.
Partially Automatable
Write reports, sign affidavits, or give depositions for legal proceedings.
Partially Automatable
Write technical summaries to report findings.
Partially Automatable
Develop policies or requirements for data collection, processing, or reporting.
Partially Automatable
Maintain knowledge of laws, regulations, policies or other issuances pertaining to digital forensics or information privacy.
Partially Automatable
Apple macOSSlackAmazon Web Services AWS softwareJavaScriptCRubyGoogle Workspace softwareHypertext markup language HTMLFirewall softwareC#C++PHPLinuxMicrosoft Windows ServerOracle JavaAnsible softwareBashGoMicrosoft PowerShellWeb server softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsServiceNowMetasploitSingle sign-on SSOGuidance Software EnCase EnterpriseApple iOSSystem testing softwareAccessData FTKComputer forensic softwareIBM QRadar SIEMKali LinuxPortswigger BurP SuiteAmazon Simple Storage Service S3IBM TerraformGraphical user interface GUI design softwareMITRE ATT&CK softwareOpenVASMicrosoft WindowsRSplunk EnterpriseApple macOSAmazon Web Services AWS softwareCGoogle Workspace softwareHypertext markup language HTMLC#C++LinuxAnsible softwareBashGoKubernetesMetasploitGuidance Software EnCase EnterpriseApple iOSAccessData FTKComputer forensic softwareKali LinuxGraphical user interface GUI design softwareOpenVASCisco Systems Cisco NetFlow Collection EngineStructured query language SQLRSlackPythonRubyPerlUNIXWiresharkWeb server softwareServiceNowSingle sign-on SSOTenable NessusSnortSystem testing softwarePortswigger BurP SuiteMicrosoft Azure softwareOperating system softwarePlatform as a service PaaSPlatform as a service PaaSExtensible markup language XMLMicrosoft Windows ServerOracle JavaWiresharkJavaScriptEnterprise application integration EAI softwareEnterprise application integration EAI softwareMicrosoft PowerShellGeographic information system GIS systemsMicrosoft Active DirectoryNetwork directory services softwareNetwork directory services softwareAmazon Simple Storage Service S3Border Gateway Protocol BGPSecurity assertion markup language SAMLMicrosoft Defender AntivirusManagement information systems MISMicrosoft WindowsPythonFirewall softwareOperating system softwarePerlUNIXKubernetesMicrosoft Active DirectoryTenable NessusSecurity assertion markup language SAMLSnortIBM QRadar SIEMIntrusion detection system IDSIntrusion detection system IDSBorder Gateway Protocol BGPCisco Systems Cisco NetFlow Collection EngineIBM TerraformMITRE ATT&CK softwareMicrosoft Defender AntivirusMicrosoft PowerPointPHPManagement information systems MISMicrosoft AccessSplunk EnterpriseMicrosoft Azure softwareExtensible markup language XMLMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft AccessStructured query language SQL
Security Managers
Medium48.21%
Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Medium46.26%
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Search Marketing Strategists
Medium53.88%
Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.
Security Management Specialists
Medium47.83%
Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities.
Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
Medium44.97%
Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities.
Computer Systems Analysts
Medium48.05%
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
Information Security Analysts
Medium53.69%
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Computer Network Support Specialists
Medium55.92%
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
Computer Network Architects
Medium50.66%
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Database Administrators
Medium50.55%
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
Medium51.81%
Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.
Document Management Specialists
Medium56.74%
Implement and administer enterprise-wide document management systems and related procedures that allow organizations to capture, store, retrieve, share, and destroy electronic records and documents.
Penetration Testers
Medium51.14%
Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.
Information Security Engineers
Medium52.50%
Develop and oversee the implementation of information security procedures and policies. Build, maintain and upgrade security technology, such as firewalls, for the safe use of computer networks and the transmission and retrieval of information. Design and implement appropriate security controls to identify vulnerabilities and protect digital files and electronic infrastructures. Monitor and respond to computer security breaches, viruses, and intrusions, and perform forensic investigation. May oversee the assessment of information security systems.
Business Intelligence Analysts
Medium52.10%
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Bioinformatics Technicians
Medium54.40%
Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Apply bioinformatics tools to visualize, analyze, manipulate or interpret molecular data. May build and maintain databases for processing and analyzing genomic or other biological information.
Forensic Science Technicians
Medium37.96%
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Police Identification and Records Officers
Low31.22%
Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.
Intelligence Analysts
Medium48.00%
Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators
Medium52.56%
Observe gambling operation for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by either employees or patrons. Investigate potential threats to gambling assets such as money, chips, and gambling equipment. Act as oversight and security agent for management and customers.
Archivists
Medium51.16%
Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
Desktop Publishers
Medium65.37%
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
High74.34%
Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.