Has your business become a target of a cyber-attack? Do you need answers about how the attack occurred, how the data was impacted, and how to proceed further? The first step toward fixing your cyber incident is to conduct a digital forensics investigation.
Digital forensic science is a field of forensic science that deals with the retrieval and gathering of information contained in digital devices in the light of cybercrime. The word "digital forensics" was coined as a replacement for the term "computer forensics." It has since broadened to include any computer like mobile phone, laptop, pen-drive, hard-disk and many more that can store digital data. The method of identifying, recording, examining, and tracking visual evidence is known as digital forensics. This is done so that, if any, testimony can be presented in a court of law.
How digital forensic used in investigation
Digital forensics includes following steps -
Identification
Evidence-collection
Analysis
Reporting
Identification- During every inquiry, the first step is to determine the target of the investigation. It entails identifying all possible data sources capable of storing digital content, including media. It may also be used as a basis of evidence. First and foremost, it is important to be mindful of the equipment that could be helpful during the investigation process.
Evidence-collection - Any possible evidence-gathering multimedia gadgets are removed and thoroughly retrieved from the crime scene. To preserve authenticity, all digital devices are collected in their original state.
Analysis- This is the most important step of digital forensics. To narrate the whole story of what occurred during the cyber-attack, the data and digital objects gathered during the investigation must be processed and pieced together. To dive further into the incident, forensic officers use various of methods and techniques.
Reporting - The investigative process comes to a close with this move. Reports are a structured means of describing all of the facts and incidents surrounding a crime. These notes are then used as testimony before a court of law in order to prosecute the case.
Benefits of digital forensics
It assists the investigation agency with recovering, analysing, and preserving electronic and related documents in such a way that they can be used as testimony in a court of law.
It assists in identifying the crime's intent and the identity of the key suspect.
Creating protocols at a potential crime scene to ensure that the computer information collected is not tampered with.
Data replication and procurement: recovering lost files and partitions from digital devices in order to retrieve and verify evidence.
Helps you to easily recognize facts as well as estimate the possible effect of malicious action on the victim.
Producing a detailed electronic forensic report documenting the investigation process.
Digital forensic tools
With the growing use of computers capable of storing massive quantities of data, live research became unreliable. Digital forensic techniques were eventually developed to examine data on a computer without causing it any damage. Digital forensic tools are currently categorized into three categories: open source digital forensic tools, hardware digital forensic tools, among others. Some tools designed by Paraben-
E3: Universal software
E3: DS software
E3: P2C software
How to be Digital forensic expert
Digital forensic officer is a growing career option among students. Paraben offers a wide range of classes regarding Digital forensics training from the most basic to the most technical. Each course is structured around seminars, laboratories, and training in order to earn the course's credential. If other course equivalency can be offered, certain certifications can be obtained without taking the course. Students interested in pursuing a career in digital forensics should use the Student alternative.