CyberSecurity Institute

CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)

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

Renewal Period: 2 years

The CyberSecurity Institute, CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) certification validates that an analyst has the skills needed to conduct a thorough, sound forensic examination of a computer system and other digital devices, properly interpret the evidence, and communicate the results clearly and effectively. Candidates should meet experience requirements and must pass a written and practical exam.

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

CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

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

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are 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

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

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

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Candidate should have at least two years of experience with both the technical and administrative aspects of conducting forensic analysis, including 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:

  • Candidate 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, candidate is 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 devices. The test candidate may be presented with a running computer to analyze or may have the media/devices to be analyzed delivered by courier.

Exam Preparation Resources

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

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the CyberSecurity Institute testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)

Renewal Period: 2 years

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

  • Certification holders 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:

  • Although not required, it is highly recommended that candidate hold 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. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

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

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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

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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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 Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

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 through E9

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 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

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.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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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: minimum 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
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Information Security Analysts
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Information Security Analysts

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Information Security Analysts

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Updated: March 31, 2021
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