Process: Disk and Memory Forensics involves meticulously examining physical and digital storage media, such as hard drives, SSDs, and RAM, to identify, recover, or investigate data. The process begins with securing the disk or memory data to preserve its integrity. Using specialized forensic tools, our experts deeply dive into file structures, unallocated spaces, and even deleted files to recover or analyze data. In the case of RAM, a snapshot is taken to examine the real-time state of a system, capturing details of running processes, network connections, and more. This information can be pivotal in identifying malicious activities, unauthorized data access, or any irregularities in the system.
Examples:
In a corporate espionage case, we successfully recovered deleted files that contained valuable intellectual property, leading to the identification and prosecution of the perpetrator.
During a malware attack investigation, memory forensics allowed us to identify the rogue process running in the system’s memory, helping to immediately contain the threat.
Risks for Not Doing It: Neglecting Disk and Memory Forensics can mean missing out on crucial evidence or intelligence that could resolve security incidents or legal cases. For instance, failure to properly analyze disk data could result in undetected data exfiltration or compromised system integrity. Incomplete memory analysis might miss malicious running processes, leaving your systems vulnerable to ongoing attacks. Moreover, poor handling or analysis could compromise the evidence, rendering it unusable in legal proceedings or internal investigations, thereby increasing your legal and reputational risks.