When using digital data in an investigation or litigation, it’s critical to ensure it was extracted and preserved correctly. Nearly everything we do today involves technology. While we may not think of it at the time, the technology that surrounds us can be used to prove—or disprove—a host of claim types. Apps, smart phones and smart watches are just a few of the items that could potentially play a crucial role in letting digital forensics make or break a case.
Why You Need Digital Forensics
Forensic data collections can be extensive and complicated. From a single email or smartphone to the full computer system of a large corporation, technology has changed the way we do business and how we deal with potential fraud and other litigation matters. No matter the type or size of data, all digital data must be collected in a safe, ethical forensic manner
The use of properly training digital forensic professionals is important to capturing the data needed. All evidence must follow a strict rule of being able to be followed back to its source, and the results must be reproducible. The need for properly trained forensic examiners with experience and expert-level tools is vital when dealing with digital data.
It is difficult, and even dangerous, to gather digital evidence yourself. Cybercriminals are getting more and more sophisticated, and it’s getting harder to gather clues of their deeds.
That’s why, if you’re facing a cybercrime case such as data breach or intellectual property theft by an employee, you need companies that specialize in digital forensics and incident response to help you during your event. It’s hard enough to know where to look, let alone how to examine the data properly.
Digital forensics and incident response companies like Eide Bailly use forensics examiners that combine strong technical skills with digital forensic backgrounds. These examiners work like archaeologists, carefully piecing together and interpreting digital data fragments to form a complete picture of the scope of your case. Even if files were erased or altered, a skilled digital forensics expert may be able to get that information. The expert then makes sure that such gathered data has integrity and can be used in a legal forum if necessary.
More often than not, the role of digital forensics and incident response companies goes beyond just finding digital evidence. They also need to be able to present it in court, as examiners will often be called in to testify regarding their digital forensic services.
They need to be able to clearly convey that their forensics methods are sound and the evidence is collected appropriately. This is one of the key benefits of having a digital forensics company that has the experience and skills to handle such matters on your behalf.
One of the main reasons to use digital forensics professionals is that they can give you forensics data that you wouldn't be able to gather any other way. Examiners from reputable forensics companies can also spot trends and patterns to help you build a solid case.
However, the benefits of hiring a digital forensics expert go beyond just gathering data evidence to support your case. They can also have a lasting impact on your business and the security of your data.
Digital forensics companies with expertise like Eide Bailly are rare. Our digital forensic professionals have backgrounds in computer forensics, investigative techniques and cybersecurity. They are trained to handle the extraction and preservation of digital data with methodologies acceptable for the courtroom.
They also understand the importance of discretion when dealing with confidential cases and will work closely with you in a supportive and responsive manner to uncover the truth.
Our team of digital forensics professionals have provided investigative accounting and digital forensics services to numerous attorneys around the nation. Issues they have worked with include:
Investigative technology forensic professionals examine and analyze electronic devices or communication transactions to prove, support or dispute facts in a case.
Digital forensic examiners have experience and expertise across the following areas:
Digital Forensics
Digital forensics are a forensics science that deal with electronic evidence that is present in computers, servers, cell phones, cloud accounts, emails and external storage to name a few. This is one of the basic functions of most digital forensic companies. While digital forensics are often used in cybercrime cases, they can also be used to gather evidence for both civil and criminal cases. GPS data from a cell phone, for example, can help pinpoint suspects in murder trials.
Network Forensics and Incident Response
Network forensics deals with the activities in a computer network with the goal of gathering evidence to prove hacking or illegal intrusion. This is one of the more fast-paced areas of digital forensics, since network data is dynamic and ever-changing.
Internet and Social Media Forensics
With the prevalence of social media and internet use, online social networks can also be a good place to gather evidence. This area of forensics deals with social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The goal is to find the source of information without violating online privacy laws.
Smartphones and Mobile Devices
The vast majority of our personal data today is located in our mobile phones, and so techniques to gather evidence from them are crucial. These involve extracting information such as call logs, contacts, SMS, and other data from the phone’s internal memory. Seizing a mobile phone as evidence is tricky, and must be done with respect to legal and privacy rights of individuals.
Cloud Forensics
Cloud forensics deals with data that’s stored online, or “in the cloud.” While similar to other forms of digital forensics, it presents challenges unique to cloud computing. For one, the data resides on hardware owned by third party companies, making extraction difficult. Data residing in different countries also exacerbates the problem. Thus, cloud forensics is an emerging discipline that requires a multi-faceted approach.
Digital forensics is essential in documenting your case and finding a resolution to issues of all types where data may hold the answers. Learn more about how we helped a law firm build a case for their client with timely updates and the answers they needed.
Ensure your electronically stored information can be used in court.
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