Introduction:

Digital investigation, also known as Digital forensics, is an increasingly crucial area in the current context where cyber attacks and data violations become commonplace. The experts in digital investigation play a key role in resolving computer security incidents, investigating cybercrimes and helping organizations comply with data security regulations. The skills required in this area are diverse and must meet technical, legal and ethical challenges. Here is an overview of the skills in demand for digital investigation professionals.

1. Advanced technical skills

Digital investigation experts need to master a range of advanced tools and techniques to conduct effective investigations. Among the most sought after technical skills are:

a. Forensic analysis of hard drives and storage systems

The ability to examine and analyze hard drives, USB drives and other storage systems to retrieve deleted data, detect anomalies and identify intrusion traces is a fundamental skill. Tools such asEnCase, FTK or X1 Social Discovery are often used for these analyses.

b. Recovery of deleted or corrupted data

An expert in digital investigation must know how to recover deleted or corrupt data, which involves understanding file systems (NTFS, FAT, etc.), data recovery techniques and software specialized in file restoration.

c. Analysis of system logs and network tracks

The analysis of system logs and network packages is used to reconstruct events related to a security incident. An expert should know how to examine these traces to identify abnormal behaviour, such as unauthorized access or suspicious data transfers.

2. Evidence Chain Management Skills

In the context of a digital survey, management of evidence chain is crucial. This includes the collection, retention and presentation of evidence to ensure its admissibility before a court or competent authority. The expert must follow strict procedures to avoid any damage to the evidence.

3. Knowledge of regulations and legal compliance

Digital investigation experts must have a good understanding of cybersecurity regulations and legal standards. This includes:

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which imposes strict requirements regarding the management and protection of personal data.
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for healthcare professionals in the United States.
• Cybercrime laws and standards data security in various sectors.

Investigators should know how to comply with these regulations when collecting digital evidence, as well as the deadlines and requirements for reporting data breaches.

4. Information security skills and vulnerability management

An expert in digital investigation must have strong skills in information security. This includes:

• The ability to identify and correct vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
• Knowledge of slopesting (penetration tests) to understand how an attacker could exploit a weakness in the system.
• Management Firewalls, antivirus and intrusion detection tools to ensure the security of a computer environment.

5. Cryptography and decryption skills

Cyber criminals often use cryptography to hide their malicious activities. Experts should have a thorough knowledge of the encryption techniques and decryption to scan encrypted files, understand attack mechanisms and recover sensitive data. This is particularly important in ransomware investigations, where attackers require payments to provide decrypting keys.

6. Malware Analysis Skills

Malware analysis is an essential skill for experts in digital investigation. This includes the ability to:

• Identify and understand how the virus, Trojans, To and other types of malware.
• Analyze the behaviors of malware to identify their effects and determine how they were used in a cyber attack.
• Developing malware signatures and use tools such as IDA Pro, OllyDbg or Wireshark to scan the malicious code.

7. Incident management and crisis response skills

Another key skill is the ability to manage security incidents and coordinate efforts to mitigate damage. This includes implementing contingency plans, communicating with stakeholders, and making quick decisions to minimize the impact on the organisation.

8. Skills in Mobile Device and Application Analysis

Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) are now an important target for cyber criminals. Experts in digital investigation must be able to analyse the mobile devices, the applications and encrypted communications to identify evidence of crimes or offences. Tools like Celle and XRY are often used to extract and analyze data from mobile devices.

9. Ability to communicate results clearly

Experts in digital investigation must be able to communicating their findings clearly and accurately, both in writing and oral. This includes the preparation of detailed reports, the preparation of testimony for courts, and the ability to explain technical concepts to a non-expert public.

10. Continuing training and updating of skills

The field of digital investigation is constantly evolving, with new threats and tools that appear regularly. Experts must therefore engage in a Continuing training to keep up to date on the latest trends in cybersecurity, threat analysis and digital investigation.

Conclusion:

Experts in digital investigation play a key role in combating cybercrime and data protection. The skills in demand in this area are varied and range from advanced technical analysis to the management of the evidence chain to a strong understanding of legal regulations. With the rise of cyber attacks and data violations, demand for qualified professionals in this field continues to grow. To succeed in this sector, experts must not only have technical expertise, but also be able to manage crisis situations and effectively communicate their discoveries.