Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)

EC-Council’s CHFI program prepares cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills to perform effective digital forensics investigations and bring their organization into a state of forensic readiness. This includes establishing the forensics process, lab and evidence handling procedures, as well as the investigation procedures required to validate/triage incidents and point the incident response teams in the right direction. Forensic readiness is crucial as it can differentiate between a minor incident and a major cyber-attack that brings a company to its knees. This intense hands-on digital forensics program immerses students in over 68 forensic labs, enabling them to work on crafted evidence files and utilize the tools employed by the world’s top digital forensics professionals. Students will go beyond traditional hardware and memory forensics and learn current topics such as cloud forensics, mobile and IoT, investigating web application attacks, and malware forensics. CHFI presents a methodological approach to computer forensics, including searching and seizing, chain-of-custody, acquisition, preservation, analysis, and reporting of digital evidence. Students learn how to acquire and manage evidence through various operating environments, as well as the chain of custody and legal procedures required to preserve evidence and ensure it is admissible in court. This knowledge will help them prosecute cybercriminals and limit liability for target organizations. The program provides credible professional knowledge with a globally recognized certification required for successful digital forensics and DFIR careers, thus increasing your employability.

• Build skills for investigating diverse types of digital forensic investigation 

• Gain in-depth knowledge of volatile and non-volatile data acquisition and examination of Mac Operating Systems, RAM forensics, Tor forensics, etc. 

• Become proficient in malware forensics process and malware analysis, including the latest analysis: BlackCat (ALPHV) 

• Learn social media forensics and wireless network forensics 

• Emphasis on electron application and web browser forensics 

• Gain in-depth skills in mobile forensics analysis 

• Learn how to perform digital forensics investigation through Python scripting 

• Master a unique skill set: the CHFI is the first certification to offer dark web and IoT forensics 

• Become skilled in forensic methodologies for Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, Azure and GCP) 

• Learn techniques such as defeating anti-forensic techniques and Windows ShellBags, including analyzing LNK files and jump lists. 

• Learn the latest digital forensics tools/platforms and frameworks 

• Lab setup simulates real-life networks and platforms 

• CHFI is designed and developed by subject matter experts and digital forensics practitioners worldwide after a rigorous job task analysis (JTA) of the job roles involved in the field of digital forensics, which also increases your employability 

A digital forensics investigator earns $76,607 on average per year in the United States (ZipRecruiter, 2026). Jobs for forensic science technicians are expected to expand by 13% from 2024 to 2034 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). 

*Note: All salary information was retrieved from the mentioned sources and is up to date as of June 1, 2026. The salaries mentioned are an estimate for professionals employed in the United States. Actual salaries may vary based on location, education and other qualifications, skills showcased during the interview, and other factors. 

To obtain the CHFI certification, one must enroll in the professional training program EC-Council offers and complete the CHFI exam (4-hour duration) with a 60-85% score. 

The certification cost varies depending on the learning method you choose, such as iLearn (Self-Study), iWeek (Live-Online), or training partner (In-Person). Please visit the official  EC–Council website for further information regarding the cost. You may also contact our career advisors regarding any concerns. We would be happy to assist you in locating the best certification at the most convenient pricing. Click here to connect. 

The CHFI certification program spans 5-day training and a 4-hour exam of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates can obtain the certification after passing the exam with 60-85% marks.  

Your earning potential depends on your experience, skill level, and location. EC-Council’s Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) helps you develop hands-on, job-ready skills through 68 labs. Beyond hardware and software, the certification course builds forensic skills in malware, IoT, dark web, social media, cloud, and more. Skilled digital forensic investigators earn $76,607 and more on average in the United States (ZipRecruiter, 2026). 

*Note: All salary information was retrieved from the mentioned sources and is up to date as of June 1, 2026. The salaries mentioned are an estimate for professionals employed in the United States. Actual salaries may vary based on location, education and other qualifications, skills showcased during the interview, and other factors. 

The CHFI certification is accredited by ANAB (ANSI) ISO/IEC 17024, ensuring the program meets the standards set for personnel certification bodies. Mapped to NICE 2.0, it is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 8140/8570. 

EC-Council’s CHFI certification stands as one of the ideal certification programs in the cybersecurity industry, offering the skills to investigate and respond to cybercrimes effectively. It is accredited by ANAB (ANSI) ISO/IEC 17024, which makes it a trusted choice worldwide with extensive coverage of malware, forensics methodology, dark web, and more. 

The industries where cyber forensics is most needed include finance, healthcare, legal, government, and others, ensuring the overall resilience of digital infrastructure.