Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Forensic Data Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a digital detective with a passion for uncovering the truth hidden in data? Our organization is seeking a highly skilled and meticulous Forensic Data Analyst to join our dynamic team. In this critical role, you will be at the forefront of complex investigations, leveraging cutting-edge technology to acquire, analyze, and interpret electronic data. You will be responsible for the end-to-end forensic lifecycle, from evidence preservation and collection to in-depth analysis and reporting. This position plays a pivotal part in litigation support, internal investigations, incident response, and regulatory inquiries by providing clear, defensible insights that drive critical decisions. If you thrive on solving complex puzzles and have a strong background in digital forensics and data analysis, we invite you to apply.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Data Analyst or BI Analyst with a security focus
IT Support Specialist or Systems Administrator
Paralegal with a strong background in eDiscovery technology

Advancement To:

Senior Forensic Data Analyst or Lead Investigator
Manager, Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR)
eDiscovery Project Manager or Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Cybersecurity Analyst / Incident Responder
Data Scientist (with a focus on security analytics)
Threat Intelligence Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform forensically sound data acquisition and collection from a wide array of digital sources, including laptops, desktops, servers (Windows/Linux), mobile devices (iOS/Android), and cloud-based storage (O365, G-Suite, AWS).
Utilize industry-standard forensic tools such as EnCase, FTK, Magnet AXIOM, and Cellebrite to process, index, and analyze large volumes of structured and unstructured data for legal and investigative matters.
Conduct in-depth analysis of electronic stored information (ESI) to identify relevant evidence, including examining file systems (NTFS, HFS+, APFS, ext4), recovering deleted data, and analyzing application data and system logs.
Maintain meticulous and defensible chain of custody documentation for all physical and digital evidence, ensuring its integrity and admissibility in legal or corporate proceedings.
Develop and execute complex SQL queries and custom scripts (Python, PowerShell) to parse, filter, and analyze large, disparate datasets, identifying patterns, anomalies, and key areas of interest.
Conduct forensic analysis of system and user activity, including timeline analysis, registry examination, email thread reconstruction, and internet history review to uncover facts related to an investigation.
Manage the processing of data for eDiscovery, including data culling, filtering, deduplication, and preparing data for review in platforms like Relativity.
Perform forensic examinations of mobile devices to recover text messages, call logs, application data, and geolocation information pertinent to investigations.
Respond to cybersecurity incidents by performing forensic analysis on compromised systems to determine the attack vector, scope of the breach, and extent of data exfiltration.
Author detailed, high-quality forensic reports that clearly articulate complex technical findings to non-technical audiences, including legal counsel, HR, and executive leadership.
Provide expert witness testimony in depositions, hearings, and trials, effectively explaining forensic procedures and findings.
Collaborate closely with legal teams, internal investigators, and external counsel to understand case requirements and tailor data analysis strategies to meet specific objectives.
Stay current with the latest digital forensic techniques, data analysis methods, emerging technologies, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
Perform data recovery from damaged, corrupted, or otherwise inaccessible hard drives and other storage media.
Analyze network traffic logs and packet captures (PCAPs) to investigate network intrusions and security events.
Conduct forensic analysis in cloud environments, including log analysis from AWS CloudTrail, Azure Activity Logs, and O365 Unified Audit Log.
Develop and validate custom data parsing and analysis workflows to handle non-standard data types and proprietary application formats.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior analysts and other team members on forensic best practices and tool usage.
Manage and maintain the forensic lab environment, including hardware, software, and licensing, ensuring all tools are up-to-date and functioning correctly.
Assist in developing and refining the firm's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for digital forensics and eDiscovery processes.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for business intelligence and operational insights.
Contribute to the organization's data governance strategy and incident response roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate complex data needs and investigative questions into technical requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies within the broader data and security teams.
Provide training to legal and HR staff on topics related to data preservation and evidence handling.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep proficiency with major forensic software suites (e.g., EnCase, FTK, Magnet AXIOM, X-Ways Forensics).
Expertise in mobile device forensics using tools like Cellebrite UFED/Physical Analyzer or Grayshift.
Strong scripting and automation skills (Python, PowerShell) for data manipulation, parsing, and analysis.
Advanced database querying abilities using SQL to analyze structured data from complex relational databases.
Thorough understanding of operating system internals, file systems (NTFS, APFS, HFS+, ext4), and data structures.
Experience with eDiscovery platforms, particularly Relativity, including data processing and loading.
Knowledge of cloud forensics and experience analyzing data from IaaS/SaaS platforms (AWS, Azure, O365).
Familiarity with network forensics and analysis of network traffic logs and PCAP files.
Competency in data recovery techniques for deleted files and from damaged media (data carving).
Understanding of memory forensics and the ability to analyze memory dumps for active processes and malware.

Soft Skills

Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills with a forensic, investigative mindset.
Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, defensible work product.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain highly technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
High level of integrity, ethics, and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, and privileged information.
Strong problem-solving abilities, capable of navigating ambiguity and developing creative solutions to complex data challenges.
Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
Collaborative team player who can also work independently with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree in a relevant field.
Professional certifications such as GCFE, GCFA, GCIH, EnCE, CCE, or similar industry-recognized credentials.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Computer Science or Computer Engineering
Digital Forensics or Cybersecurity
Information Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of hands-on experience in a digital forensics, eDiscovery, or incident response role.

Preferred:

Experience working in a corporate investigations team, a law firm, or a consulting firm providing forensic services.
Demonstrable experience managing the entire lifecycle of a forensic investigation, from collection to reporting.
Prior experience providing expert testimony or declarations in a legal setting is highly desirable.