The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Digital forensics DGFS

Recovering and investigating material found in digital devices.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels).
  • New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
  • Readability improvements have been made to levels 3 and 4.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Digital forensics involves the recovery, analysis, and investigation of material found in digital devices. This skill focuses on extracting and preserving digital evidence to support various types of investigations and legal proceedings.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • collecting, processing, and analysing digital evidence from computers and other data storage devices
  • applying specialised forensic tools and techniques to recover and examine digital material
  • maintaining the integrity and chain of custody for all digital evidence
  • reconstructing digital events and timelines to support investigative efforts
  • documenting findings in comprehensive, legally defensible forensic reports
  • presenting forensic evidence and testifying as an expert witness in legal proceedings
  • collaborating with cybercrime investigators and legal teams to interpret technical evidence
  • developing and implementing forensic methodologies for emerging technologies
  • ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards in digital evidence handling
  • supporting various types of investigations, including security vulnerability assessments, criminal cases, fraud inquiries, and counterintelligence efforts.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Digital forensics: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists with digital forensic investigations under routine supervision.

Supports the recovery of damaged, deleted or hidden data from digital devices.

Helps collect and preserve digital information and evidence according to established protocols.

Digital forensics: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Applies standard forensic tools and techniques to examine digital devices.

Recovers and analyses damaged, deleted or hidden data from various digital sources and devices.

Maintains the integrity of digital evidence and ensures its collection adheres to legal admissibility standards.

Digital forensics: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Designs and executes complex digital forensic examinations.

Specifies requirements for specialised forensic tools and resources. Provides guidance on advanced data recovery techniques and artefact analysis.

Processes and analyses digital evidence in line with organisational policies and industry standards. Develops procedures for handling emerging technologies in forensic contexts.

Contributes to forensic reports detailing technical findings.

Digital forensics: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Leads investigations to correctly gather, analyse and present findings, including digital evidence, to both business and legal audiences.

Collates conclusions and recommendations and presents forensic findings to stakeholders.

Plans and manages digital forensics activities within the organisation. Provides expert advice on digital forensics.

Contributes to the development of digital forensics policies, standards and guidelines. Evaluates and selects digital forensics tools and techniques.

Digital forensics: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Plans and leads the organisation’s approach to digital forensics.

Sets policies, standards and guidelines for how the organisation conducts digital forensic investigations.

Leads and manages high risk, large or wide-ranging digital forensics investigations engaging additional specialists if required.

Authorises the release of formal forensic reports. Engages with external stakeholders on forensic matters.

Keywords
New level Guidance notes