You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

• forensic computing and security
• computer science
• cyber security
• digital forensics
• financial technology

Courses with industry placements will help you develop your skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:

• Cyber Security Technologist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Digital Forensic Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Cyber Security Technical Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
• Advanced Digital Forensic Professional Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

• a degree in a relevant subject

You could start work as an IT support technician, network engineer or developer after doing A levels. You would then work your way up by taking further training on the job.

You could do certified industry training with a professional body like the Chartered Institute of Information Security or The Chartered Institute for IT.

You'll need to be working in IT security or have a lot of experience to do this.

You'll need:

• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• persistence and determination
• complex problem-solving skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

You'll need to:

• pass security checks

Your tasks will depend on where you work. You could:

• investigate hacking, fraud and theft
• research political, industrial and commercial espionage
• track terrorist communications and other illegal activities
• secure IT systems and hardware to protect them from security threats
• recover and secure data
• analyse mobile phone records to track location
• follow electronic data trails
• document each stage of the investigation
• present technical findings and evidence

You could work in a court, in an office or at a client's business.