Digital Illustration | Dakota County Technical College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingWritingActive Learning

Computers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyCustomer and Personal Service

Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
Provide staff and users with assistance solving computer-related problems, such as malfunctions and
Test, maintain, and monitor computer programs and systems, including coordinating the installation o

Network monitoring softwareStorage networking softwareData base user interface and query softwareExpert system softwareOperating system software

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium15-1299.06	Digital Forensics Analysts	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certificate)

Forensic examination workflows — execute independently across common case types including malware incidents and data theft investigations with reduced oversight.
Network monitoring software — configure and run analyses on captured traffic data to identify intrusion indicators within a corporate network environment.
System malfunction diagnosis — troubleshoot recurring program and operating system errors, restoring normal functioning on forensic workstations with minimal guidance.
File system software — analyze NTFS, FAT, and ext4 artifacts routinely to recover deleted files and reconstruct user activity timelines.
Forensic reports — produce structured written findings that document methodology, evidence, and conclusions for review by senior analysts or legal teams.
Database forensics — query and interpret database logs and transaction records to support business problem analysis and fraud investigations.
Expert system software — apply established forensic suites such as EnCase or FTK to process digital evidence across standard case scenarios.
Active listening and interviewing — gather accurate technical information from witnesses and system users to inform forensic examination scope.
Computer program testing — test and monitor deployed forensic tools and scripts to ensure reliable performance across case environments.
Evidence triage — apply deductive reasoning to prioritize examination of digital artifacts based on investigative leads in time-sensitive cases.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.