Description: Forensics is the application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes and analyze evidence. In the context of cybersecurity, digital forensics focuses on the recovery, analysis, and presentation of data that has been compromised or manipulated in digital environments. This includes gathering information from electronic devices, networks, and cloud systems, with the aim of identifying, preserving, and presenting evidence that can be used in legal proceedings. Digital forensics is crucial for understanding how a security incident occurred, what data was affected, and who was responsible. Additionally, it integrates with other disciplines such as cyber intelligence and incident management, allowing organizations to improve their security posture and comply with technological regulations. The ability to conduct effective forensic analysis is essential for data loss prevention and security orchestration, as it enables companies to proactively respond to threats and vulnerabilities in their systems.
History: Digital forensics began to take shape in the 1980s with the rise of personal computing and the use of computers in criminal activities. One significant milestone was the case of a criminal’s computer in 1984, where data recovery was used to obtain evidence. As technology advanced, so did forensic techniques, incorporating more sophisticated tools for data analysis. In 1999, the term ‘digital forensics’ became popular, and since then, standards and best practices for the discipline have been developed, including the establishment of organizations like the International Association of Digital Forensics (ADF).
Uses: Digital forensics is used in various applications, including the investigation of cyber crimes, data recovery, verification of information integrity, and evidence collection for litigation. It is also essential in security incident response, where detailed analysis is required to understand the scope of an attack and mitigate future risks. Additionally, it is applied in security audits and in assessing the effectiveness of protective measures implemented by organizations.
Examples: A notable example of digital forensics is the investigation of the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, where experts analyzed the affected systems to determine how the malware spread and what data was compromised. Another case is the forensic analysis conducted after the Equifax hack in 2017, where vulnerabilities that allowed unauthorized access to sensitive data of millions of people were examined.
