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Digital Forensics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Digital Forensics Analyst

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Description Seeking a Digital Forensics Analyst , to serve as a member of an organizational cybersecurity program. This position requires an active TS/SCI with Polygraph . The hired individual will ...

Digital Forensics Analyst

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description Seeking a Digital Forensics Analyst , to serve as a member of an organizational cybersecurity program. This position requires an active TS/SCI with Polygraph . The hired ...

The Digital Forensic Investigator uses a variety of highly specialized software and technical skills to forensically analyze computers and other digital / data storage devices such as smart phones ...

Digital Forensics Lead

Reston, VA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Digital Forensics Lead Location: Reston, VA Clearance Level: TS (SCI Eligible) SUMMARY Agile Defense is seeking highly qualified Digital Forensics Lead to support USG enterprise cybersecurity program ...

Digital Forensics Lead

Reston, VA · Hybrid

$160K - $175K/yr

Digital Forensics Lead Location: Reston, VA Clearance Level: TS (SCI Eligible) SUMMARY Agile Defense is seeking highly qualified Digital Forensics Lead to support USG enterprise cybersecurity program ...

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Digital Forensics information

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How much do digital forensics jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for digital forensics in the United States is $28.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.71 and $31.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Digital Forensics vs Cybersecurity Analyst?

AspectDigital ForensicsCybersecurity Analyst
CertificationsGCFA, GCFE, EnCECISSP, Security+, CEH
Work EnvironmentInvestigations, labs, legal settingsNetwork monitoring, threat analysis, incident response
Industry UsageLegal cases, law enforcement, corporate investigationsProtecting networks, preventing attacks, risk management

Digital Forensics focuses on collecting and analyzing digital evidence for legal or investigative purposes, often working in labs or legal settings. Cybersecurity Analysts primarily defend networks and systems from cyber threats, monitoring for vulnerabilities and responding to incidents. While both roles require technical skills and certifications, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

How much do digital forensics get paid?

Digital forensics professionals typically earn between $60,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, certifications, and location. Entry-level roles may start around $50,000, while experienced specialists with advanced skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in cybersecurity environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Digital Forensics professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Digital Forensics professional, you need expertise in computer science, investigative techniques, and a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like GCFA or EnCE. Familiarity with forensic tools such as EnCase, FTK, and X-Ways, as well as experience handling various operating systems and data recovery procedures, is essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong written and verbal communication skills set top professionals apart in this field. These skills ensure accurate evidence collection, thorough analysis, and effective collaboration with legal and law enforcement teams in complex investigations.

Will AI take over digital forensics?

Digital forensics professionals use AI tools to assist in analyzing large volumes of data and identifying patterns more efficiently. While AI can automate certain tasks, human expertise remains essential for interpretation, decision-making, and handling complex cases. AI is a complement, not a replacement, for skilled digital forensics investigators.

What are some common challenges faced by digital forensics professionals during investigations?

Digital forensics professionals often encounter challenges such as encrypted data, rapidly evolving technology, and the need to maintain a strict chain of custody for evidence. They must stay current with new digital devices and platforms, as cybercriminals frequently use advanced techniques to hide or delete data. Additionally, collaborating with law enforcement, legal teams, and IT departments requires clear communication and adherence to legal protocols to ensure evidence is admissible in court.

What jobs can you get with digital forensics?

Digital forensics professionals can pursue roles such as digital forensic analyst, cybercrime investigator, incident response specialist, or cybersecurity analyst. These jobs typically require skills in data recovery, malware analysis, and familiarity with forensic tools like EnCase or FTK, often supported by certifications such as GCFA or EnCE.

Is digital forensics a good career?

Digital forensics is a growing field that involves investigating cybercrimes and analyzing digital evidence using specialized tools and techniques. It offers opportunities in law enforcement, cybersecurity firms, and private companies, often requiring certifications like GCFA or EnCE. The career can be rewarding for those interested in technology, problem-solving, and legal processes, with steady demand and potential for advancement.

What is digital forensics?

Digital forensics is the process of identifying, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence found on electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and networks. This field is crucial in both criminal investigations and civil litigation, helping uncover evidence of cybercrimes, data breaches, or unauthorized activities. Digital forensic experts use specialized tools and techniques to recover deleted or hidden data while ensuring the integrity of the evidence is maintained for legal proceedings.
More about Digital Forensics jobs
What cities are hiring for Digital Forensics jobs? Cities with the most Digital Forensics job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Digital Forensics jobs? The most popular types of Digital Forensics jobs are:
What states have the most Digital Forensics jobs? States with the most job openings for Digital Forensics jobs include:
Infographic showing various Digital Forensics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,725 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Digital Forensics Analyst

Digital Forensics Analyst

Applied Information Sciences

Alexandria, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Why AIS?
When you join AIS, you're joining a mission-driven team that's passionate about making a difference. You'll work on projects that matter, alongside industry-leading experts, in an environment that fosters innovation, driving client success, and empowering our team to make a lasting impact. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, inclusivity, continuous growth, and shared success.
  • Employee Ownership: Your contributions directly impact the company's success, and you share in its achievements.
  • Continuous Learning: Access to resources, training, and mentorship to support your professional growth.
  • Inclusive Culture: A workplace where diversity is celebrated, and everyone's voice is valued.
  • Mission-Driven Work: Engage in projects that make a meaningful difference for our clients and communities.

What are we looking for?
At AIS, we're looking for more than just skills - we're looking for driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference, eager to grow, and aligned with our core principles.
What you will be doing?
This position is contingent upon contract award. We are currently pursuing a proposal and are seeking qualified candidates to include in our submission and identify candidates for future hiring needs on the program once awarded.
At AIS, we are dedicated to providing our employees with diverse opportunities to grow their careers while supporting a variety of impactful projects. For this position, we are seeking a talented individual to join AIS as a Senior Security Engineer.
  • Core Knowledge & Skills: Designs secure architectures, leverages advanced threat detection, leads incident response, and implements security automation.
  • Work & Complexity: Manages complex incidents, conducts threat analysis, leads audits, and implements process improvements.
  • Quality & Independence: Delivers high-quality reports, aligns practices with industry standards, and operates with high autonomy.
  • Teamwork & Communication: Leads team projects, collaborates cross-functionally, mentors juniors, and resolves conflicts.
  • Consulting & Engagement: Provides strategic consulting, leads improvement initiatives, recommends advanced technologies, and manages vendor relationships.
As your initial project assignment, you will support the unique needs of our client as a Digital Forensics Analyst.Project Summary
The Digital Forensics Analyst is responsible for conducting advanced forensic examinations across a wide range of digital systems, environments, and devices. This role performs deep-dive investigations involving endpoint activity, network traffic, malware, cloud platforms, and virtualized environments. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with digital media acquisition, malware analysis, cloud forensics, and the use of modern security technologies to support threat hunting and investigative operations.
This is a proposal-based position; employment is contingent upon contract award and funding availability.
Key Responsibilities
Digital Forensic Analysis
  • Conduct forensic examinations on Windows, Linux, and MacOS systems.
  • Perform digital media acquisition, including disk imaging, preservation, and chain-of-custody documentation.
  • Execute mobile device acquisition and analysis, including iOS and Android platforms.
  • Perform malware analysis to determine behavior, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and impact.

Cloud & Virtual Environment Forensics
  • Investigate virtualized environments, including Virtual Machines and associated logs/artifacts.
  • Perform cloud-based forensic analysis using:
    • Microsoft 365
    • Azure
    • AWS
  • Analyze cloud-native logs such as CloudTrail, IAM logs, and other platform security telemetry.

Threat Hunting & Investigative Activities
  • Utilize EDR, SIEM, and full packet capture tools to examine endpoint behavior, network activity, and anomalous patterns.
  • Conduct proactive threat hunting to identify previously undetected malicious activity.
  • Correlate forensic data with threat intelligence to support broader investigations.

Tools, Documentation & Reporting
  • Leverage industry-standard forensic tools, including EnCase and SANS methodologies.
  • Generate detailed forensic reports for technical stakeholders, legal teams, and leadership.
  • Maintain strict adherence to evidence handling, analysis integrity, and investigative best practices.

Required For This Opportunity
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience conducting or supporting digital forensic investigations, including:
    • Windows, Linux, and MacOS forensic analysis
    • Disk imaging and media preservation
    • Mobile device forensic acquisition and analysis
    • Malware analysis
  • Experience conducting forensic investigations in M365, Azure, and AWS environments.
  • Ability to analyze virtualized systems and cloud-native telemetry (CloudTrail, IAM logs).
  • Extensive experience using:
    • Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
    • Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)
    • Full packet capture platforms
  • Strong analytical, documentation, and evidence-handling skills.
  • Clearance: Secret

Certifications: One or more of these certifications
  • SANS GIAC
  • GCIH - Incident Handler
  • GCFA - Forensic Analyst
  • GCFE - Forensic Examiner
  • GREM - Malware Reverse Engineering
  • GISF - Information Security Fundamentals
  • GXPN - Exploit Research & Advanced Pen Testing
  • GCTI - Cyber Threat Intelligence
  • GOSI - Open-Source Intelligence
  • EnCase Certifications (EnCE, CFSR, ENCEP)

Nice To Have Skills
  • Experience working in federal, law enforcement, or regulated environments.
  • Background in threat intelligence and advanced incident response.
  • Familiarity with scripting or automation (Python, PowerShell) for forensic workflows.
At AIS, we are committed to offering competitive and fair compensation that reflects the skills, experience, and contributions of each team member.The targeted base salary range for this role is $101,000-$152,000 per year. Please note that this range is provided as a guideline and the final offer will be based on several factors, including but not limited to, skillset and competencies, level of experience, education, certifications, and location.We value transparency in our hiring process and are happy to discuss how your unique qualifications align with our compensation structure during the interview process.
Applied Information Sciences does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis. Employment decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs.