For many people looking to add a criminal justice degree to their resume, a concentration in cybercrime and forensics can help prepare them to work across a number of industries as more companies fall prey to computer-related security breaches. Now, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also ramping up its cybercrime workforce, increasing funding to hire a number of different types of investigators. The Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill has recommended that the FBI be granted its full cyber-investigation budget request of $166.5 million for 2012, according to Information Week. The money will be used to hire 42 new investigators, including 14 special agents with a background in cybercrime on their resume. Some of the money will also be used to train FBI cyber agents in order for the agency to increase the number of qualified workers with advanced skills in emerging technologies. The committee said it recommended the agency's cybercrime department be fully funded next year after a report found that 36% of all FBI field agents lacked the networking experience needed to investigate illegal computer activity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for detectives and criminal investigators are expected to grow by 17% through 2018. |