Digital forensics is a branch of forensic science focusing on the methods for identifying, acquiring, processing, analyzing, and storing electronic evidence. Digital evidence is a crucial part of hi-tech crime investigations performed by law enforcement.

Phases of digital forensics

Forensic investigation of computer information is an essential part in investigations of computer crimes and cybersecurity incidents. Digital evidence investigations usually include the following phases:

  • Identification of forensically significant circumstances of the incident;
  • Collection and analysis of digital evidence;
  • Restoration of the cyber incident process and timeline;
  • Establishing the possible causes of the cyber incident;
  • Malware analysis using static and dynamic analysis techniques.

In addition, forensic experts can document the obtained data and evidence for further research. The main objective digital forensics specialists pursue in this case is ensuring legally compliant and forensically correct seizure of information carriers and electronic devices so that the evidence and the results of the examination are accepted in court.

Digital forensics tools

Digital forensics experts use specialized hardware-software complexes and software solutions, such as complexes for reassembling RAID arrays with lost configuration and recovering data from various storage devices, tools for examining mobile devices, as well as special forensic suitcases for collecting digital evidence at a crime scene.

These tools allow forensics experts to make either a forensic image of an information carrier with the necessary forensic digital artifacts or sector-by-sector forensic clone of the information storage device for in-depth examination of digital artifacts, including deleted information.

Does Group-IB provide digital forensics services?

Group-IB has its own Digital Forensics and Incident Response laboratory, which is acknowledged to be one of the largest in Eastern Europe. Our experts can detect even the smallest pieces of digital evidence using the most effective approaches and tools, including unique proprietary technologies. The digital evidence provided by our experts meets the highest standards and is accepted by courts around the world. Learn more about Group-IB digital forensics services.