Qualifications and Skill Levels of Digital Forensics Practitioners in South Africa: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Digital forensic investigations require competence in skills associated with an investigation which is often measured through qualifications consisting of scholastic education, digital forensic training, digital forensic certification, and digital forensics work-related experience. While prior research has been conducted into the qualifications of digital forensic practitioners within the South African environment, the association between qualifications and measures of skill has not been addressed. This research study utilises a conceptual research framework to test the association between qualifications and the skills levels of digital forensic practitioners in South Africa. The findings show that continuous training and the level of testimony provided by a digital forensics practitioner in a civil or criminal procedure are positively associated with overall skills level. Other factors such as formal education, number of forensics training courses, certification, and work-related experience did not have a direct association with the measured skill. Further research is hence needed to understand the role of these factors in improving skill levels.