Mapping Industry Demands for Digital Forensics: A Study of Penetration Tester Requirements

The field of digital forensics and cybercrime investigation is evolving rapidly, yet continues to face a significant skills gap. This paper presents an empirical analysis of the expertise expected from penetration testers-key actors in proactive and reactive digital investigations. We analyzed job postings across Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US to extract current trends in required technical competencies, soft skills, certifications, programming languages, and tools relevant to digital forensic readiness. Notably, documentation and teamwork emerged as top soft and technical skills, while OSCP certification, Go language, and Metasploit were among the most desired qualifications. Our findings underscore the importance of aligning educational pathways with market demands and call for clearer articulation of technical requirements by employers. This research contributes to the broader digital forensics domain by helping to standardize skill expectations, improve workforce preparedness, and inform policy-making, curriculum design, and recruitment strategies.