Ankur Chandrakant, a recognised Cyber Security and Forensic Expert with a deep understanding of Blockchain, NFT, Crypto, and Metaverse, explains how do Cyber Forensics experts work. He explained the seven steps. They are as follows.
1. Imaging or copying the hard drive of the under investigation system: Imaging or copying the hard drive involves producing a copy of the files and folders on the hard disc. By copying every item of data on the drive from the system under inquiry, a clone of the drive is made on another drive.
2. Verification of the duplicated data: After the data is copied from the hard drive of the investigation system to another hard drive, the forensic professionals verify that the copied data is identical to the original data.
3. Ensuring that the duplicated data is forensically sound: The data written to the hard drive is in a format that is compatible with the computer’s operating system. As a result, forensic professionals must ensure that data moved from the investigation system’s disc to another drive is not tampered with in any manner. The data is replicated in a forensically sound way, utilising a write-blocking device.
4. Recovering lost files: Forensic professionals can retrieve files that have been erased by the user on the computer. The data are not completely wiped by the computer, and forensic professionals understand how to recover them.
5. Finding data in free space: The operating system regards space on the hard drive as space available to store new files and folders, but temporary files and files that were deleted years ago are stored here until fresh data is placed into it. To rebuild such data, forensic professionals look through this vacant space.
6. Performing keyword searches: Forensic professionals employ software that can scan all the data for certain phrases and provide the results.
7. The technical report: The technical report should be a simple document that everyone can comprehend, regardless of their background. It should primarily focus on the offence, the perpetrator, and how he committed the crime, as well as on the details.
Ankur explained why computer forensics is important. Computer forensics is used in the civil and criminal judicial systems to ensure the integrity of digital evidence presented in court cases. Digital evidence — and the forensic method used to collect, preserve, and examine it — has grown more crucial in solving crimes and other legal concerns as computers and other data-gathering devices are utilised more often in every part of life. Much of the data collected by contemporary technologies is never seen by the average individual. For example, automobiles computers continuously gather data on whether a driver stops, switches, or changes speed without the driver’s knowledge. This information, on the other hand, might be crucial in resolving a legal situation or a crime, and computer forensics is frequently used to find and preserve it. Data theft, network breaches, and illegal internet transactions are just some of the crimes that may be solved with digital evidence. It’s also utilised to solve physical crimes including burglary, assault, hit-and-run accidents, and murder in the real world. To keep proprietary information safe, businesses frequently employ a multilayered data management, data governance, and network security approach. Having data that is well-managed and secure might speed up the forensic procedure if the data is ever investigated.
Ankur also discussed some of the most important abilities to master cyber forensics. They are.
1. Technical aptitude: This is a technology-based skill. As a result, familiarity with many technologies, such as computers, mobile phones, network hacking, and security breaches, is required.
2. Attention to detail: To review an enormous quantity of data and find proofs, a forensic investigator must pay close attention to every detail.
3. Legal and criminal investigation knowledge: A forensic investigator must be as knowledgeable about criminal laws, criminal investigations, white-collar crime, and other related topics as he is about technology.
4. Effective communication skills: As part of a case, a forensic investigator must be able to assess and communicate technical material to others in the business or in court.
5. Understanding the fundamentals of cyber security: Cyber security and cyber forensics are closely connected topics, and a firm foundation in cybersecurity may help you succeed in cyber forensics.
6. Analytical Skills: To assess proofs, discover patterns, interpret data, and solve crimes, forensic professionals must have strong analytical skills.
7. Desire to learn: The area of cyber forensics is always developing, and forensic hopefuls must be eager to keep up with recent developments.
8. Willingness to take on new challenges: Criminal investigations involving law and order can contain unsettling information and occurrences. Candidates for forensic science must be able to operate in such a demanding atmosphere.
Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ankurchandrakant/