Introduction

Protecting digital evidence has become crucial in the current digital era, as data breaches and cybercrimes are becoming more common. Digital forensics, or disc forensics, is a field vital to the investigation of frauds, cybercrimes, and other illegal activity. For Indian organisations, preserving the integrity and trustworthiness of the digital environment is equally as important as guaranteeing justice. In this blog post, we’ll look at disc forensics best practices so that Indian businesses can safeguard digital data efficiently.

Understanding Disk Forensics

Digital evidence on hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), USB drives, memory cards, and other storage devices is gathered, examined, and preserved as part of disc forensics. This method is important for finding important information on cybercrimes, including hacking incidents, data breaches, theft of intellectual property, and financial fraud.

Case Studies in Disk Forensics: Real-World Examples

1. Corporate Data Breach Investigation: In this case, a large corporation experienced a data breach where sensitive customer information was stolen. Disk forensics specialists were called in to investigate the incident. Through analysis of disk images obtained from affected systems, they traced the breach back to a malware infection on an employee’s computer. The analysis revealed the attacker’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), helping the organization bolster its security measures and mitigate future risks.

• Employee Misconduct Investigation: A company suspected one of its employees of engaging in unauthorized activities using company resources. Disk forensics experts conducted an investigation to gather evidence from the employee’s work computer. A detailed analysis of the disk image revealed extensive evidence that the employee accessed restricted websites leaked confidential information, and engaged in other prohibited activities. The findings provided the company with actionable insights for disciplinary actions and policy improvements.

• Intellectual Property Theft: A technology company suspected a former employee had stolen sensitive intellectual property (IP) before joining a competitor. Disk forensics analysts examined the employee’s work laptop to determine if any proprietary data had been unlawfully accessed or copied. By analysing file access timestamps, internet history, and file metadata, they could establish a timeline of events and identify instances of data exfiltration. The findings supported the company’s legal case against the former employee and the competitor.

• Cyber Extortion Incident: A small business fell victim to a cyber-extortion scheme where their critical files were encrypted by ransomware. The business sought assistance from disk forensics specialists to recover their data and identify the perpetrators. Through analysis of the affected systems’ disk images, the forensics team identified the ransomware variant, traced its entry point into the network, and determined the extent of the encryption. With this information, the business was able to recover their data from backups and implement measures to prevent future ransomware attacks.

• Financial Fraud Investigation: A financial institution suspected fraudulent activities involving the manipulation of transaction records. Disk forensics investigators were brought in to analyse the digital evidence from the relevant systems. Through forensic analysis of disk images and log files, they uncovered evidence of unauthorized access, tampering with financial records, and attempts to cover up the fraudulent activities. The findings aided law enforcement in prosecuting the perpetrators and recovering the stolen funds.

Hard Disk As An Evidence

Best Practice in Disk Forensics in Indian Organisations –

• Create a Formalised Forensic Policy: Creating a formalised forensic policy that describes the steps and guidelines for managing digital evidence is the first step in protecting it. To guarantee the integrity of the evidence throughout the course of the investigation, this policy should outline the duties and obligations of the staff members engaged in disc forensics, as well as the instruments and methods to be employed. It should also create chain-of-custody protocols.

• Regularly hold programmes for awareness and training:
  Make certain that staff members in charge of disc forensics participate in frequent training and awareness campaigns to remain knowledgeable about the most recent developments in digital forensics tools, trends, and methodologies. Procedures for gathering evidence, methods for preserving data, forensic analytical approaches, and legal issues surrounding digital evidence should all be included in training.

• Adopt Secure Data Collection methods: To avoid evidence tampering or alteration, it is imperative to adhere to secure data collection methods while gathering digital evidence from storage devices. To guarantee that data is gathered in a way that is compliant with forensic standards, use write-blocking devices or software. Keep thorough records of the evidence collection procedure, including the date, time, and place of evidence seizure.

• Preserve Evidence Integrity: Digital evidence must be kept up to date in order for it to be admitted into court. Establish stringent chain-of-custody protocols to monitor the handling and transit of evidence from gathering to analysis and storage. Investigators can confirm the integrity and validity of evidence files by creating digital signatures using cryptographic hash functions.

• Use Robust Data Recovery Techniques: To recover and recreate pertinent data in situations where digital evidence has been erased, encrypted, or corrupted, use robust data recovery techniques. To recover erased files, fragments, and information from storage media, use specialised forensic tools and methods including file carving, data carving, and file system analysis.

• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations:
  Assure adherence to the legal and regulatory specifications that control the gathering, storage, and acceptance of digital evidence in Indian legal systems. When managing sensitive digital evidence, familiarise yourself with pertinent regulations, such as the Indian Evidence Act of 1872 and the Information Technology Act of 2000, and obtain legal advice.

• Collaborate with Law Enforcement authorities: To undertake in-depth forensic investigations in situations involving significant cybercrimes or data breaches, law enforcement authorities like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Cyber Crime Investigation Cell (CCIC) should be consulted. To guarantee that justice is done, give law enforcement authorities prompt access to digital evidence and assist with their investigations.

• Maintain Confidentiality and Privacy: Preserve the privacy and secrecy of people’s private and sensitive information that is included in digital evidence. To prevent unauthorised exposure or leaks of sensitive material, make sure that only authorised individuals with the required security clearances have access to evidence files and that tight secrecy is maintained throughout the investigative process.

• Document Forensic Analysis and conclusions: Keep thorough and in-depth records of all forensic analyses and conclusions, including the methods, instruments, and outcomes that were used. Write forensic reports that include a summary of the most important discoveries, judgements, and suggestions for the benefit of all parties involved, such as law enforcement, legal counsel, and organizational leadership.

• Enhance Forensic Capabilities Constantly: To keep up with changing threats and technological advancements, forensic capabilities, processes, and procedures should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. To improve the knowledge and abilities of forensic professionals and keep up with new developments in the field of digital forensics, allocate funds towards research, development, and training programmes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, safeguarding digital evidence is critical to the efficient investigation and prosecution of fraud, cybercrimes, and other illegal activity by Indian organizations. Disk forensics best practices enable organizations to protect justice and preserve faith in the digital ecosystem by guaranteeing the authenticity, integrity, and admissibility of digital evidence in court. Indian organizations may effectively increase their forensic skills and safeguard digital evidence by implementing a range of measures, including formalised forensic policies, regular training and awareness programmes, secure data gathering techniques, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

External Storage Devices