CyberSecurity Institute
CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)
Credential: CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)
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)
Attainability: 
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
Renewal Period: 2 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
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
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:
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Candidate must submit an FBI Criminal Background Check and a completed CSFA Certification Test Application and Agreement prior to taking the certification exam.
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Active, archival and latent data
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Affidavits, motions, and subpoenas
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Compact Disc analysis
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Conducting keyword boolean searches
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Creating understandable and accurate reports
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Creating forensically sound working copies or images of media
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Documentation, chain of custody, and evidence handling procedures
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FAT 16/32 file systems
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File Headers and Footers
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File slack, ram slack, drive slack, and unallocated space
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Hashes and Checksums
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Imaging handheld devices
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Insurance/liability issues
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Interpretation of various log formats
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Interpreting Internet History and HTTP concepts
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Manual and automated data recovery
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Metadata for Microsoft Office and PDF documents
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NTFS
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Overcoming encryption mechanisms and password protection
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PC hardware concepts
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Privacy issues
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Rules of evidence
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TCP/IP concepts
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Windows print spool files
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Windows Prefetch
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Windows registry
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Windows shortcuts
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Windows swap file
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Windows Volume Shadow Copy
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Working as an expert technical witness
- 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.
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.
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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
CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)
Renewal Period: 2 years
The CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA) credential has the following recertification information:
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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.
- 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)
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
Branch
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
This is an official U.S. Army website
Updated: March 31, 2021
Army Table Legend
Related As
The military occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of four ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This 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 column indicates that the credential is eligible for CA.
Promotion Points
This credential has been approved for promotion points for this MOS towards promotion to Sergeant and Staff Sergeant. Clicking the Promotion Points icon will open a link to the promotion points fact sheet.
Skill Level Designation
Skill Level I
This skill level consists of all Soldiers in the ranks of Private (pay grade E-1) up to Specialist (pay grade E-4). Time in Service (TIS) is generally between initial entry and four Years of Service (YOS). This skill level is Entry-level positions requiring performance of tasks under direct supervision.
Institutional training:
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level I
- Basic Leader Course (BLC)
Skill Level II
This skill level is obtained when promoted to Sergeant (paygrade E-5). TIS is generally between 4-8 YOS. Positions requiring performance of more difficult tasks under general supervision; and in some instances, involving supervision of Soldiers in SL1.
Institutional training:
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level II
- Advance Leader Course (ALC)
Skill Level III
This skill level is obtained when promoted to Staff Sergeant (paygrade E-6). TIS is generally between 8-12 YOS. Positions requiring performance of still more difficult tasks and involving first line supervision of Soldiers in SL1 & SL2.
Institutional training:
- Senior Leader Course (SLC)
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level III
Skill Level IV
This skill level is obtained when promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class (paygrade E-7). TIS is generally between 12-18 YOS. Positions requiring relatively detailed knowledge of all tasks specified for a given MOS, normally involving first-line supervision of Soldiers in SLs 1, 2, and 3, and involving managerial duties.
Institutional training:
- Master Leader Course (MLC)
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level IV
- Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME) I Course
Skill Level V
This skill level is obtained when promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant (paygrade E-8). TIS is generally between 18-22 YOS. Positions requiring direct and indirect leadership roles with expertise in company and battalion-level operations and competency across a given CMF, serving as members of a staff at every level in the Army, with a full understanding of the allocation of resources and their utilization in order to accomplish Army functions and missions.
Institutional training:
- United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA)
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level V
Skill Level VI
This skill level is obtained when promoted to the rank of Sergeants Major (paygrade E-9). TIS is generally between 22-30 YOS. Positions requiring organizational leadership roles with multi-dimensional expertise in units and teams on division, corps, and Army staffs, integrated with Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) partners with a full understanding of the Force Generation process, operations at all echelons, and how the Army runs.
Star Credential
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 improve the MOS technical proficiency.
Proponent Funded
This icon indicates that the credential may be funded through a Soldier's MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.
Gap Analysis
A detailed analysis comparing the credential requirements to the military occupation has been completed. Click on the gap analysis icon to view the analysis page.
Federal Occupations Table Legend
Related As
The federal occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the federal occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the federal occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this federal occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
Civilian Occupations Table Legend
Bright Outlook
The Bright Outlook icon indicates that new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job. Click the links in this column to go to the external link My Next Move For Veterans State Map.
Registered Apprenticeship
The Registered Apprenticeship icon indicates that this job has an apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Click the links in this column to go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities
Local Salary Information
Click the links in this column to go to the external link My Next Move for Veterans web site to view salary and employment information for the job.
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