Computer hacking forensic investigation detects hacking attacks, adequately extracts evidence to report the crime, and conducts audits to prevent future episodes. Computer forensics is simply the application of computer investigation and analysis techniques to determine potential legal evidence. Evidence might be sought in a wide range of computer crimes or misuse, including but not limited to theft of trade secrets, robbery of or destruction of intellectual property, and fraud.

C|HFI investigators can draw on various methods to discover data in a computer system or recover deleted, encrypted, or damaged file information. The Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator certification emphasizes forensics tools, analytical techniques, and procedures to obtain, maintain, and present computer forensic evidence and data in a court of law.