CyberSecurity Institute

CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)


Credential: CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)
Credentialing Agency: CyberSecurity Institute

Renewal Period: 2 years

The CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) is an advanced level certification for individuals who have the ability to conduct a thorough forensic analysis using sound examination and handling procedures, and are able to communicate the results of their analysis effectively. The CSFA certification is designed for professionals who already possess practical experience in the field of digital forensics. A minimum of at least two years of experience with both the technical and administrative aspects of conducting forensic analysis is required. To become CSFA certified, applicants must pass a written and practical exam, and complete an FBI criminal background check.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 2 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

CyberSecurity Institute

14751 N. Kelsey St. Suite 105
PMB 162
Monroe, WA  98272-1353

Phone: (800) 726-1433

Fax: (800) 726-1433
Email: CSFA@csisite.net

Candidates should have at least two years of experience with both the technical and administrative aspects of conducting forensic analysis, to include creating the verbiage for subpoenas, motions, and affidavits, as well as experience creating comprehensive forensic analysis reports.

The CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidates must submit an FBI Criminal Background Check and a completed CSFA Certification Test Application and Agreement prior to taking the certification exam.

Written Exam

  • Active, archival and latent data
  • Affidavits, motions, and subpoenas
  • Compact Disc analysis
  • Conducting keyword boolean searches
  • Creating understandable and accurate reports
  • Creating forensically sound working copies or images of media
  • Documentation, chain of custody, and evidence handling procedures
  • FAT 16/32 file systems
  • File Headers and Footers
  • File slack, ram slack, drive slack, and unallocated space
  • Hashes and Checksums
  • Imaging handheld devices
  • Insurance/liability issues
  • Interpretation of various log formats
  • Interpreting Internet History and HTTP concepts
  • Manual and automated data recovery
  • Metadata for Microsoft Office and PDF documents
  • NTFS
  • Overcoming encryption mechanisms and password protection
  • PC hardware concepts
  • Privacy issues
  • Rules of evidence
  • TCP/IP concepts
  • Windows print spool files
  • Windows Prefetch
  • Windows registry
  • Windows shortcuts
  • Windows swap file
  • Windows Volume Shadow Copy
  • Working as an expert technical witness

Practical Exam

  • During the hands-on portion of the exam, candidates will be given a scenario that includes processing a hard drive and may include other media such as a CD, DVD, or USB drive. Some scenarios include a cellular phone or other handheld device. The test candidate may be presented with a running computer to analyze, or will have the media/devices to be analyzed being delivered by courier.

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) examination:

RECERTIFICATION

CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) credential has the following recertification information:

  • Candidates are required to attend a minimum of 80 class hours of digital forensics/information security training every two years, and conduct a minimum of four digital forensic examinations.

Additional considerations for the CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) include:

  • Though not required, it is highly recommended that candidates have obtained one of the following certifications:

    • AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE)
    • Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
    • Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)
    • Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
    • EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE)
    • GIAC Certified Forensics Analyst (GCFA)

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

Click for more information.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here for more information.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

Click here for more information.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

Click here for more information.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

Click here for more information.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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