Which step in the digital forensics process involves extracting relevant information from data?

Digital forensics deals with the recovery, investigation and analysis of electronic data, and is often used to unearth evidence in litigation cases, criminal cases, or in internal investigations. Electronic data can provide critical evidence and clues in many cases, and aid in the discovery of cybercrime, data theft, crypto crimes, security breaches, instances of hacking, and more. Digital forensics play an instrumental role in getting to the bottom of complex data challenges.

Digital forensic investigators use a variety of tools and software to conduct investigations that can help to:

• Discover the source and cause of a cyberattack
• Identify whether a hack was perpetrated and how long the hacker had access to the system
• Create a timeline of criminal events, such as unauthorized access or altering of data
• Secure digital evidence

A digital forensic investigation can help identify and prove different kinds of wrongdoing, including data theft or disclosure, internet abuse, network or system breaches, espionage, and financial fraud.

In civil or criminal cases, it is crucial to carry out a structured and process-driven digital forensics investigation, to ensure the integrity of the data and its admissibility in a court of law. The core stages of a digital forensics investigation include:

1. Identification of resources and devices involved in the investigation
2. Preservation of the necessary data
3. Analysis
4. Documentation
5. Presentation

Data acquired in this way is permissible in court, and can be used as evidence to support litigation cases. Digital forensics investigators are trained in extracting and handling evidence in a way that is permissible in court, and their expertise can be invaluable in a litigation case involving digital data.

The Stages of a Digital Forensics Investigation

Digital Forensics Investigation Stage 1: Identification

The very first step in a digital forensics investigation is to identify the devices and resources containing the data that will be a part of the investigation. The data involved in an investigation could be on organizational devices such as computers or laptops, or on users’ personal devices like mobile phones and tablets.

These devices are then seized and isolated, to eliminate any possibility of tampering. If the data is on a server or network, or housed on the cloud, the investigator or organization needs to ensure that no one other than the investigating team has access to it.

Digital Forensics Investigation Stage 2: Extraction and Preservation

After the devices involved in an investigation have been seized and stored in a secure location, the digital forensics investigator or forensics analyst uses forensic techniques to extract any data that may be relevant to the investigation, and stores it securely.

This phase can involve the creation of a digital copy of the relevant data, which is known as a “forensic image.” This copy is then used for analysis and evaluation, while the original data and devices are put in a secure location, such as a safe. This prevents any tampering with the original data even if the investigation is compromised.

Digital Forensics Investigation Stage 3: Analysis

Once the devices involved have been identified and isolated, and the data has been duplicated and stored securely, digital forensic investigators use a variety of techniques to extract relevant data and examine it, searching for clues or evidence that points to wrongdoing. This often involves recovering and examining deleted, damaged or encrypted files, using techniques such as:

• Reverse Steganography: a technique used to extract hidden data by examining the underlying hash or string of characters representing an image or other data item
• File or Data Carving: identifying and recovering deleted files by searching for the fragments that deleted files may leave
• Keyword Searches: using keywords to identify and analyze information relevant to the investigation, including deleted data

These are just some of the many techniques digital forensic investigators to unearth evidence.

Digital Forensics Investigation Stage 4: Documentation

Post analysis, the findings of the investigation are properly documented in a way that makes it easy to visualize the entire investigative process and its conclusions. Proper documentation helps to formulate a timeline of the activities involved in wrongdoing, such as embezzlement, data leakage, or network breaches.

Digital Forensics Investigation Stage 5: Presentation

Once the investigation is complete, the findings are presented to a court or the committee or group that will determine the outcome of a lawsuit or an internal complaint. Digital forensics investigators can act as expert witnesses, summarizing and presenting the evidence they discovered, and disclosing their findings.

Selecting a Strong Digital Forensics Team

Digital forensics investigations are not just useful to law enforcement agencies or companies suspecting fraud on a large scale. They can also help corporations who suspect an employee is leaking data to an external party, or to determine the scope of and recovery from a cyberattack.

In case of a cyberattack, an investigation can help identify the source of the attack and secure systems against further breach, ensuring attackers no longer have access to the system. An investigation also helps take stock of the data that has been accessed, distributed or altered, and may even help in getting the original data restored.

A qualified and experienced digital forensics company like ERMProtect can help unearth evidence in cases of security breaches, data leaks or cyberattacks, and help win litigation cases. We are a world-wide leader in cybersecurity solutions and digital forensics, and can help mitigate your cybersecurity risk.

For information about how ERMProtect's digital forensics investigators can help, email [email protected].

Digital forensics is the collection, assessment and presentation of evidence gathered from digital media. Digital evidence comes from computers, mobile phones and servers. Digital forensics helps solve complicated cases that rely on evidence from electronic devices.

The Power of Digital Forensics

Digital forensics helps investigative teams recover deleted data, discover evidence of misconduct and restore overwritten data. Digital analysts can mitigate damage, reverse system breakdowns and prove misuse of company property.

The Digital Forensic Process

The digital forensic process is intensive. First, investigators find evidence on electronic devices and save the data to a safe drive. Then, they analyze and document the information. Once it’s ready, they give the digital evidence to police to help solve a crime or present it in court to help convict a criminal.

The Nine Phases of Digital Forensics

There are nine steps that digital forensic specialists usually take while investigating digital evidence.

1. First Response

As soon as a security incident occurs and is reported, a digital forensic team jumps into action.

2. Search and Seizure

The team searches devices involved in the crime for evidence and data. Investigators seize the devices to make sure the perpetrators can’t continue to act.

3. Evidence Collection

After seizing the devices, professionals collect the data using forensic methods to handle the evidence.

4. Securing of the Evidence

Investigators store evidence in a safe environment. In the secure space, the data can be authenticated and proved to be accurate and accessible.

5. Data Acquisition

The forensic team retrieves electronically stored information (ESI) from the devices. Professionals must use proper procedure and care to avoid altering the data and sacrificing the integrity of the evidence.

6. Data Analysis

Team members sort and examine the authenticated ESI to identify and convert data that is useful in court.

7. Evidence Assessment

Once ESI is identified as evidence, investigators assess it in relation to the security incident. This phase is about relating the data gathered directly to the case.

8. Documentation and Reporting

This phase happens once the initial criminal investigation is done. Team members report and document data and evidence in accordance with the court of law.

9. Expert Witness Testimony

An expert witness is a professional who works in a field related to the case. The expert witness affirms that the data is useful as evidence and presents it in court.

The Digital Forensic Toolbox

Since almost the entire digital forensic process takes place on electronic devices, the forensic team should have the best software for the job. The following tools are programs and processes that help digital investigators find data legally and extract it safely.

The Sleuth Kit allows forensic specialists to utilize a collection of command-line tools, access a C library, and analyze disk images and recover files.

Volatility allows forensic specialists to rapidly list kernel modules from an 80GB system, perform virtual machine introspection and use a customizable web interface.

Cellebrite UFED (Universal Forensic Extraction Device) allows forensic specialists to employ data collection capabilities in the lab, at a remote location and in the field; retrieve cloud tokens and app data; and overcome mobile encryption challenges and password/PIN locks.

Medusa allows forensic specialists to use multiple services that allow remote authentication, explore a supported list of services for brute-forcing and save its service module as a .mod file.

Hashcat allows forensic specialists to test mixed device types within one system, use distributed cracking networks and conduct automatic performance tuning.

Webinspect allows forensic specialists to test the dynamic behavior of web applications for security vulnerabilities; conduct simultaneous crawl testing at various levels, from professional to novice; and use centralized program management features.

Skills and Certifications

Having the tools is only half the job. Forensic investigators must also know how to use them properly. Necessary skills include countering anti-forensic techniques, understanding system forensics, navigating file systems and hard disks, and investigating email crimes.

These professionals can also benefit from earning certifications. For example, Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), such as GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner and GIAC Response and Industrial Defense, is well-respected in the field. AccessData and the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists also offer certifications and courses that can boost a forensic investigator’s career.

Digital Forever

As our world becomes more digital, cybercrime becomes more common. Forensic investigators help fight these crimes by gathering data and assessing it. They are first responders, data analysts and expert witnesses. As such, the digital forensic process is critical to both solving crimes and convicting criminals.

Sources

AccessData, Exams

Cellebrite

EC-Council, “What Is Digital Forensics?”

GIAC, Digital Forensics Incident Response Certifications

Github, Volatility

Guru99, “25 Best Ethical Hacking Tools & Software for Hackers (2021)”

Guru99, “What Is Digital Forensics?”

IACIS, Certification

Info-Savvy, “Roles of First Responder in Computer Forensics”

Sleuthkit

Stetson Cyber Group, “Who Uses Digital Forensics and Why?”