by Jean-Simon Gervais, Fullblown Security
In our digital world, trust in data is everything.
When something goes wrong, whether it’s a cyber incident or a legal dispute, preserving that data is similar to hitting the pause button on time. This allows us to investigate, solve problems, and get clarity.
Let’s dive into why keeping data intact is so important and how it helps us navigate these challenges with confidence.
Why Is Evidence Preservation Crucial?
Keeping It Real: Integrity and Authenticity
Data preservation is all about keeping things genuine. It ensures that data stays just as it was, which is vital for figuring out what happened and proving it.
As NIST puts it, “The objective is to maintain the integrity of the evidence, ensuring that it is preserved in a condition that allows it to be reliably used in analysis and, potentially, in a court of law” (NIST Special Publication 800-86).
In other words, it keeps the story straight!
Helping Legal Eagles Soar
In legal matters, evidence must be kept secure and unchanged.
“Any break in the chain of custody can lead to questions about the integrity of the evidence and may result in its exclusion from legal proceedings” (Eoghan Casey, Digital Evidence and Computer Crime).
If evidence is tampered with, it could mean big trouble, including misleading conclusions and decision errors.
Finding the Digital Breadcrumbs
In cybersecurity, evidence preservation is like following a trail of breadcrumbs back to where things went wrong. It helps investigators pinpoint how an attacker got in, what vulnerabilities were exploited, and what damage was done.
“Evidence preservation is fundamental for conducting thorough root-cause analysis, enabling investigators to accurately trace back the steps of an attacker and understand the full scope of the incident” (Nathan Clarke, “Digital Forensics Processing and Procedures).
Without solid evidence, it’s easy to get lost and leave the organization exposed to future threats.
Evidence Preservation for Legal and Technical Success
Consistency Is Key
Keeping evidence preserved ensures everyone (lawyers, cybersecurity experts, IT teams) are on the same page.
According to the ACPO Good Practice Guide for Digital Evidence, “Consistency in handling digital evidence ensures that all stakeholders are working from the same set of data, ensuring accurate and coordinated findings.”
Transparency Builds Trust
Clear and well-documented evidence handling builds trust and credibility, whether in court or within an organization.
“Transparency in handling and documenting evidence enhances the credibility of the findings and supports a robust investigation process” (NIST SP 800-86).
The Risks of Poor Evidence Preservation
If evidence isn’t preserved correctly, it can lead to some major headaches:
Legal Woes: Evidence that isn’t properly handled may not hold up in court.
Mystery threats: Without solid evidence, figuring out a cyberattack can feel like chasing ghosts.
Insurance Issues: Lack of clear evidence can cause problems with audits and re-insurance.
Compliance Trouble: Failure to follow proper preservation practices can lead to non-compliance with data regulations.
Trust Fallout: Mishandling evidence can erode trust among customers and partners, impacting the organization’s reputation.
In Summary
Evidence preservation is the bedrock of forensic methodology because it sets the stage for all that follows. By freezing data in its original state, organizations can take a breath, think through the next steps, and make informed decisions about digging deeper into an incident or getting legal advice.
And please keep in mind that these principles apply across all digital landscapes: cloud accounts, virtual machines, computers, servers, mobile devices, operational technology (OT), and even the Internet of Things (IoT).
Don’t Wait - Act Fast!
When it comes to data preservation, time is of the essence. Some digital information, like volatile memory or audit logs, can vanish quickly. It’s crucial to act swiftly.
To make things easier, organizations can hand off the preservation work to a trusted forensic specialist, ensuring all bases are covered in total simplicity.
Reach out to your forensic specialist today to see how you can get clarity.
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Join us as we navigate the dynamic route of digital empowerment and security, embarking on a journey to restore truth and confidence within an ever-evolving digital terrain.
Jean-Simon Gervais of FullBlown Security will lead the presentation. JS is a former Canadian Armed Forces Officer with 20 years of experience in information security and privacy, specializing in applied Cybersecurity, Governance Advisory (GRC), Digital Investigations, and Incident Response. His work is aligned with industry-recognized US and international frameworks and standards, namely ISO/IEC 27035 and 27037, as well as NIST SP800-61, SP800-83, and SP800-86.
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