Computer Forensics - EnCE Certification

Many of the certifications available today are specific to what field you might be working in, so in order to arm yourself to the max and make yourself more marketable, you might consider getting more than one certification. On the other hand, if you already work with a specific organization or have a cyber crime that is close to your heart, choose your favorite and pursue that one if that is all that you need. That one certification may allow you to move up within the organization or to ask for a raise. You can always get other certifications at a later date and it's possible that your employer may be willing to pay for these certifications.

Computer forensics is such a new field, that you will find almost no school that has had forensics in their curriculum for longer than 10 years. Most did not start offering these cyber crime certifications until 2003 or later and some companies came into being just for that purpose.

Most Universities and Trade Schools now offer some type of computer forensics program, though you will most likely have to take a score of unrelated classes in order to get the training you desire as part of a degree program and the cost will most likely be higher. For those of you who are specializing in computer forensics, an individual certification may be the answer.

• EnCE-The EnCase Certified Examiner Program is for those who have mastered their EnCase Guidance Software. The process is fairly simple and straight forward and one of the least expensive.
• You must first have attended 64 hours of authorized computer forensic training, either online or in the classroom-or-have 12 months of experience on the job.
• Then you complete the downloadable application and mail it to the certification coordinator at the address provided.
• Once the application has been received and approved, you will be issued a voucher with which to take the Phase I examination at a Prometric facility in your area. The voucher reduces the Phase I testing fee from $1000 to just $200, a significant savings. You can take the test without the voucher, but it will not be accepted until your application has been submitted and approved.
• Phase I is the written portion of the exam. You will have 2.5 hours to complete the test and the minimum passing score is 80%. If you fail, you must wait 2 months to take it again and you may be required to fill out another application prior to taking it, so get in contact with them first. Once you pass, you will automatically be shipped the Phase II test.
• Phase II is the practical exam. You will have 60 days in which to complete the Phase II exam and you may be granted a 30-day extension through the EnCE Coordinator, on a case-by-case basis. A minimum score of 85% is required and the same rules apply for Phase II as for Phase I if you fail.

EnCE Certifications are good for three years from the date obtained. Upon completion you will be issued an EnCE Certificate and a wallet card.