Digital Forensics vs. Cybersecurity: What Are the Differences?

As of 2024, there are an estimated 2,200 cyberattacks every single day. That means that, on average, a cyberattack occurs about every 39 seconds. Furthermore, it’s been estimated that in 2024 alone, the global cost of cybercrime will be $9.5 trillion dollars.¹

If those statistics caught your attention, then a career path dedicated to fighting cybercrime might interest you. You might consider two key specializations: digital forensics and cybersecurity. Both fields focus on information technology (IT) security but serve distinct roles. But what’s the difference between digital forensics vs. cybersecurity? And what is forensic analysis in cybersecurity, exactly?

In short, digital forensics focuses on analyzing and preserving evidence from cyber incidents for legal purposes. Cybersecurity aims to prevent, detect and respond to threats in real time, protecting systems and data from attacks. Let’s take a closer look.

In This Article: 

• Cyber Forensics vs. Cybersecurity: Two Careers to Consider 
• Skills Needed for a Career in Digital Forensics 
• Skills Needed for a Career in Cybersecurity 
• Digital Forensics vs. Cybersecurity: Career Paths and Education Requirements 
• How To Pursue Cybersecurity at GCU

Digital Forensics vs. Cybersecurity: Two Careers to Consider 

Cyber forensics and cybersecurity professionals both work with computers and on computer networks to combat cybercrime. However, these two specialties aren’t quite the same thing. So, what’s the difference between digital forensics vs. cybersecurity?

What Is Cybersecurity? 

Cybersecurity is often used as a catchall term to describe any system or effort used to fight cybercrime. However, it’s a bit more focused than that. By and large, cybersecurity professionals work to prevent cybercrime by improving the security of technology infrastructure.

For example, cybersecurity professionals are dedicated to improving the security of digital devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets and personal computers), networks and data. A cybersecurity professional can help keep everything from sensitive medical information to credit card numbers safe and secure from cybercriminals.

To do their job effectively, cybersecurity professionals may use any number of technology tools. These can include: 

• Web application firewalls: A firewall protects sensitive data by improving the security of web applications. 
• Vulnerability scanners: These tools analyze computer programs and networks, looking for tech bugs and other potential vulnerabilities that a cybercriminal may use to gain unauthorized access. 
• Penetration testing tools: Some cybersecurity professionals specialize in penetration testing, which is authorized hacking that attempts to identify potential vulnerabilities. 
• Encryption tools: Encryption tools protect sensitive information by “scrambling” it so that only an authorized user can access it.

What Are Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity?

Whereas cybersecurity is concerned with preventing cybercrime before it occurs, digital forensics involves investigating a cybercrime after it has occurred. Cybersecurity is proactive and digital forensics is reactive. Both roles are important in combating cybercriminals' activities, however.

A digital forensics professional will likely work on a computer, other devices or networks that have been breached or suspected of having been breached. Their goal is to recover and investigate data found in the wake of an attack. The information that digital forensics professionals may uncover and analyze could prove instrumental in any criminal or civil court cases that might take place afterward. It can also help cybersecurity professionals learn how to better defend against continually evolving cyberattacks in the future.

A digital forensics professional may work on tech-related breaches involving the following:

• Network breaches 
• Data theft 
• Online fraud 
• Identity theft

To accomplish their mission, a cyber forensics professional can use tools and techniques such as the following: 

• Reverse steganography: Analyzes hidden information 
• Stochastic forensics: Reconstructs digital activity to investigate data breaches caused by internal threats 
• Cross-drive analysis/anomaly detection: Correlates and cross-references information across different devices to identify, analyze and preserve any relevant data
• Deleted file recovery: Retrieves lost or hidden data, such as deleted files, emails, and internet browsing history.

Skills Needed for a Career in Digital Forensics 

If you’re eager to pursue a career in digital forensics, you’ll need to develop strong technical competencies. Some of the most important competencies for this particular high-tech career include the following:²

• Strong proficiencies in various operating systems 
• Forensics software programs, including Cellebrite, Autopsy and Forensic Toolkit 
• Mobile forensics (i.e., mobile devices) knowledge 
• Malware analysis 
• Cloud platform forensics 
• Database forensics 
• Cryptography 
• Network forensics 
• Data recovery techniques 
• Experience in programming language

Skills Needed for a Career in Cybersecurity

What if you’re more interested in preventing cybercrime before it occurs? If you think you would like to become a cybersecurity professional, you may benefit from working on cultivating the following types of competencies:³

• Scripting (i.e., Python and PowerShell) 
• Cybersecurity frameworks and controls 
• Usage of intrusion detection software 
• Knowledge of wired and wireless networks and their security concerns 
• Operating systems knowledge 
• Incident response skills 
• Cloud cybersecurity expertise 
• Cybersecurity in software development and operations 
• Regulatory requirements 
• Emerging cybercrime threats

Digital Forensics vs. Cybersecurity: Career Paths and Education Requirements 

By this point, you may have an idea of whether you might prefer to pursue a career in digital forensics or in cybersecurity. Before making a decision, however, it’s worth taking the time to explore some of the specific career paths and the typical education requirements of each of these specialties.

Becoming a Digital Forensics Specialist 

If you’re interested in becoming a digital forensics professional, earning a bachelor’s degree is a good start. It’s ideal to earn a cybersecurity-specific bachelor’s degree or at least a general computer science degree. While in college, look for relevant internships or part-time jobs involving cyber forensics, as work experience is important for your career trajectory.⁴

It can also be helpful to earn one or more professional certifications. Some options in cyber forensics include the following:⁴

• GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics (GASF) 
• GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA) 
• Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) 
• IACIS Certified Mobile Device Examiner (ICMDE)

There are a few specific careers within the digital forensics niche that you might want to consider pursuing. These include:⁵

• Information security analyst 
• Detective investigator 
• Criminal investigator 
• Computer occupations 
• Special forces 
• First-line supervisor of protective service workers 
• First-line supervisor of police and detectives

Becoming a Cybersecurity Professional 

The job of a digital forensic professional, such as a malware analyst, can be exciting because you'll have the opportunity to investigate black hat hackers and other digital threats. However, if you have more of a proactive mindset, you may be more interested in reducing the risk of cybercrimes before they occur.

The career pathway for a cybersecurity expert is similar to that of a cyber forensic expert, as these two careers are closely related. For instance, you can start out by earning a bachelor's in cybersecurity. A bachelor’s degree in information technology or computer science would also work.⁶

Similar to digital forensics professionals, future cybersecurity specialists can also benefit from gaining work experience while in college.⁶ Look for relevant internships to help substantiate your resume and build a professional network.

After college, consider earning one or more professional certifications. Some options include the following:⁶

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional 
• Certified Information Security Manager 
• EC-Council Network Security Administrator 
• Cisco Certified Network Associate - Routing and Switching

You might start out in one or more entry-level roles, such as information security analyst, information security specialist or risk analyst.⁷ After that, some examples of cybersecurity careers you might want to pursue include the following:^6,7

• Computer and information systems manager 
• Computer systems analyst 
• Computer and information research scientist 
• Computer network architect 
• Database administrator 
• Database architect 
• Network and computer systems administrator 
• Software quality assurance analyst and tester

How To Pursue Cybersecurity at GCU

At Grand Canyon University, the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree program was developed with industry guidance to teach students how to detect, analyze and combat current and emerging cyber threats. Offered by the College of Engineering and Technology, the BS in Cybersecurity is intended to provide a solid foundation for a wide range of cybersecurity-related careers.