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Digital Forensics
Definition
Digital forensics is the science of identifying, collecting, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence after a cyber incident or cybercrime.
Digital forensics is the science of identifying, collecting, analysing and preserving digital evidence after a cyber incident or cybercrime. The goal is to determine what happened, who is responsible and how to prevent recurrence, while maintaining the evidence chain for legal proceedings.
How does digital forensics work?
Digital forensics operates on the Locard principle: every contact leaves traces. Forensic investigators analyse log files, memory contents (memory forensics), disk images (disk forensics), network traffic (network forensics) and system artefacts. The process follows strict methodologies: identification, preservation (forensic copying without modifying original data), analysis (timeline and attack path reconstruction), documentation and reporting.
Chain of custody
Evidence must be forensically collected and managed following chain-of-custody procedures. Every transfer or handling must be documented. Forensic images receive cryptographic hashes to ensure integrity. Without proper chain of custody, evidence is inadmissible in legal proceedings.
Impact on organisations
Digital forensics is essential for every significant security incident. It determines the full scope of compromise. For data breaches requiring notification under GDPR or NIS2, forensic investigation is necessary to correctly fulfil reporting obligations.
Protection
Ensure systems have adequate logging enabled. Retain logs sufficiently long (minimum 90 days, preferably 1 year). Implement centralised log management via SIEM.
How DEFION helps
DEFION provides Digital Forensics as part of DFIR services. The forensic team investigates cyber incidents, collects evidence and delivers legally admissible reports.