Description: The preservation of forensic data is the process of ensuring that digital evidence is not altered or destroyed. This process is fundamental in the field of digital forensics, where data integrity is crucial for the validity of investigations. Preservation involves creating exact copies of the original data, known as forensic images, which allow investigators to analyze the information without risking the original content. This process is carried out using specialized tools and techniques that ensure every bit of information remains intact. The preservation of forensic data applies not only to storage devices such as hard drives and USB drives but also to networks, file systems, and mobile devices. Proper preservation of digital evidence is essential to ensure that findings are admissible in a court of law, highlighting the importance of following rigorous protocols and established standards within the forensic community. In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, the preservation of forensic data has become a critical component in the fight against cybercrime and in protecting privacy and information security.
History: The preservation of forensic data began to take shape in the 1980s with the rise of personal computing and the increase in cybercrime. As digital devices became more common, the need for systematic methods to collect and preserve digital evidence emerged. In 1995, the term ‘digital forensics’ was coined, and since then, the discipline has evolved significantly, incorporating new technologies and techniques to address emerging challenges in data preservation. The creation of standards such as the ‘ACPO Good Practice Guide for Digital Evidence’ in 2002 helped establish clear protocols for the preservation of forensic data.
Uses: The preservation of forensic data is primarily used in criminal investigations, where the collection of digital evidence is required to solve crimes. It is also applied in civil litigation cases, where digital evidence can be crucial in establishing facts in legal disputes. Additionally, it is used in cybersecurity audits to identify and mitigate security breaches, as well as in internal corporate investigations to address potential fraud or policy violations.
Examples: A notable case of forensic data preservation is the investigation into the hacking of the 2016 presidential campaign in the United States, where emails and server data were preserved to analyze the intrusion. Another example is the Equifax data breach case in 2017, where preservation techniques were used to investigate how the security breach occurred and what data was compromised.
