Build A High-Paying Career with CHFI Certification
Forensic investigation is the process of using specialized techniques to collect evidence from digital devices to identify criminal activity and prevent future attacks. As cybercrime continues to increase in today’s digital world, digital forensics is crucial in discovering and recovering data from damaged or corrupted files on digital devices. To become an expert in this field, professionals can pursue the CHFI certification offered by EC-Council, a comprehensive program accredited by ANSI that focuses on practical, hands-on training in computer forensics, incident response, and information system security. The training covers various forensic principles and techniques for operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and mobile devices.
Digital Forensics — Is This the Career Path for You?
The CHFI Certification is designed for individuals who work in information system security, computer forensics, and incident response. It is intended to be pursued by professionals who are involved in these areas:
- Computer Forensic Analyst
- Computer Network Defense (CND) Forensic Analyst
- Digital Forensic Examiner
- Forensic Analyst and technician
- Network Forensic Examiner
- Computer Crime Investigator
- Special Agent
CHFI Exam Information
Upon passing the EC-Council 312–49 exam, individuals are awarded the CHFI certification. The CHFI 312–49 exams can be taken at the worldwide Prometric, VUE, and Prometric Prime centers.
CHFI Exam Details
- Duration: 4 Hours
- Questions: 150
- Passing Score: 70%
CHFI Certification Eligibility Requirements
There are two methods of satisfying the eligibility criteria set by the EC-Council to take the CHFI certification exam.
Complete an EC-Council Authorized CHFI Training Program: Individuals who wish to become Computer Hacking Forensic Investigators (CHFIs) can meet the eligibility requirements for the CHFI certification exam by completing an EC-Council-approved training program. This training can be done through campus-based instructor-led training (ILT), live-online ILT, or self-paced computer-based training (CBT). Upon completing the authorized CHFI training program, individuals will be eligible to sit for the CHFI certification exam.
Without Official Training: Individuals who wish to take the CHFI certification exam without attending an official training program must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- A minimum of two years of verified work experience in information security.
- An academic background with a specialization in digital security.
- A non-refundable application fee of $100 must be submitted to determine eligibility.
- The EC-Council Exam Eligibility Form must be completed and submitted satisfactorily.
- After approval, the candidate will purchase an official CHFI test voucher from EC-Council.
How to Pass EC-Council CHFI Certification Exam?
The CHFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator) certification exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in digital forensics and investigation. To pass the CHFI exam, you should follow these steps:
- Understand the Exam Objectives: The CHFI exam covers various topics related to digital forensics and investigation, such as computer security, forensic analysis, network analysis, and incident response. You should read the exam objectives carefully to understand what you need to know.
- Study the Materials: You can prepare for the CHFI exam by studying the materials provided by the EC-Council, which offers the certification. These materials include books, online courses, and practice exams. You can also find other resources online, such as blogs, forums, and YouTube videos, that can help you learn more about digital forensics and investigation.
- Attempt CHFI Practice Exam: The best way to prepare for the CHFI exam is to attempt practice exams. These exams will help you get used to the format of the exam and the types of questions you can expect. You can find sample exams in the study materials provided by the EC-Council or on the museum website.
- Understand the Tools and Techniques: The CHFI exam covers various tools and techniques used in digital forensics and investigation. You should understand how to use these tools and techniques, such as forensic software, network analysis tools, and cryptography.
- Review the Basics: The CHFI exam covers some basic concepts related to computer systems, networks, and programming. You should review these basics to ensure you have a solid foundation of knowledge before taking this EC-Council exam.
- Take the CHFI Exam: When you feel ready, you can take the CHFI exam at a testing center or online. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions; you have four hours to complete it. To pass the exam, you need to score at least 70%.
By following these steps and preparing thoroughly, you can increase your chances of passing the CHFI certification exam and becoming a certified computer-hacking forensic investigator.
What Sets CHFI Apart From Other Cyber Security Certifications:
The Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) certification focuses on equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify, secure, maintain, and analyze computer forensic evidence using analytical techniques, forensics tools, and various procedures. The ultimate goal is to enable certified professionals to apply computer investigation and analysis techniques effectively and efficiently to identify potential legal evidence.
The CHFI certification has earned accreditation from both the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) and has been recognized by the National Infocomm Competency Framework (NICF) as meeting professional competency requirements. As the internet becomes an increasingly permanent fixture of modern life and cybercrime continues to rise, the CHFI certification presents numerous professional opportunities. With organizations worldwide prioritizing cyber defense, individuals who hold CHFI certification can anticipate a promising future with ample growth potential.
CHFI Certification Salary
The average salary for a CHFI-certified professional ranges from $85,000 to $120,000. The Entry-level positions include information security analyst and forensic computer analyst; the average minimum for both jobs is $53,717 and $37,340.
Candidates with experience handling complex projects successfully and working in the same field for over five years can expect higher salary packages. The compensation not only varies with expertise but also with the employer type and skill or specialty.
Organizations seek CHFI-certified professionals for handling various segments of cyber security, including investigating cyber crime, evaluating digital evidence, securing and evaluating electronic crime scenes, recovering deleted files, using techniques like Steganalysis, log management, and examining email crime.
Conclusion
Computer forensics is a constantly evolving area that presents new challenges to investigators as cybercrimes become more frequent and complex and hardware and software advance. Conducting computer forensics investigations can be stressful, as investigators often need to find information for criminal cases quickly, and criminals may be highly skilled with technology. However, a career in computer forensics is in a rapidly growing field that offers a wide range of job opportunities. Some of these positions include forensic computer analyst or cyber forensic investigator. With this in mind, there’s no need to wait — obtaining the CHFI certification can help jumpstart your career in this exciting and dynamic field.
