Digital Forensics Essentials (DFE)

One of the goals of performing a forensic investigation process is to have a better understanding of an incident by identifying and analyzing the evidence thereof. This module describes the different stages involved in the complete computer forensic investigation process and highlights the role of expert witnesses in solving a cybercrime case. It also outlines the importance of formal investigation reports presented in a court of law during a trial.

Data acquisition is the first proactive step in the forensic investigation process. Forensic data acquisition does not merely entail the copying of files from one device to another. Through forensic data acquisition, investigators aim to extract every bit of information present in the victim system’s memory and storage, in order to create a forensic copy of this information. Further, this forensic copy must be created in a manner such that integrity of the data is

verifiably preserved and can be used as evidence in the court. This module discusses the fundamental concepts of data acquisition and the various steps involved in the data acquisition methodology.

Windows forensics refers to investigation of cyber-crimes involving Windows machines. It involves gathering of evidence from a Windows machine so that the perpetrator(s) of a cybercrime can be identified and prosecuted. Windows is one of the most widely used OSes; therefore, the possibility of a Windows machine being involved in an incident is high. So, investigators must have a thorough understanding of the various components of a Windows OS such as the file system, registries, system files, and event logs where they can find data of evidentiary value. This module discusses how to collect and examine forensic evidence related to incidents of cybercrime

on Windows machines.

Network forensic investigation refers to the analysis of network security events (which include network attacks and other undesirable events that undermine the security of the network) for two broad purposes — to determine the causes of the network security events so that appropriate safeguards and countermeasures can be adopted, and to gather evidence against the perpetrators of the attack for presentation in the court of law. This module discusses the methods of investigating network traffic to locate suspicious packets and identify indicators of compromise (IoCs) from the analysis of various log files.