The Evolving Role of Cyber Forensics in Criminal Cases

The world has become increasingly digital in recent years, a trend that has affected every aspect of daily life. We’re now seeing the use of cyber forensics in criminal cases, among other areas of the justice system. From the local to international levels, cybersecurity experts have been tasked with assisting investigators in both solving crimes and exonerating the wrongfully accused.

Forensics Experts Make It Hard to Be a Cybercriminal

When most people think of cyber forensics in criminal cases, they immediately think of computer crimes. This is a solid assumption—after all, cybercrime has increased significantly in recent years. While the risks of phishing have long been an issue, hackers now have complex tools we once never imagined that enable them to do damage even without a social engineering aspect.

Digital forensics experts can track down illicit bank accounts, identify the source of attacks, spot system inadequacies, and perform a variety of other complex activities. Some of the biggest cybercrimes have led to billions of dollars in losses (EC-Council, 2017; Yakowicz, 2015), but digital forensic investigators have found tools to combat these attacks. Applying cyber forensics in criminal cases makes it possible to catch cybercriminals, serving as a major deterrent to computer crimes.

Collection of Criminal Evidence

When people think of forensics, they often envision scenes from the television show CSI, with professionals combing through evidence at crime scenes. Many of those interested in becoming digital forensic investigators know the situation is similar for cyber forensics: Digital forensics professionals also seek out evidence, but they’re looking at a computer rather than a dark alley.

This evidence can come in many forms—for example, digital footprints left by a hacker after infiltrating a system. Cyber forensics in criminal cases has also shown great promise in identifying fraud. Defendants have been convicted of sexual crimes, murder, and terrorism thanks to forensics experts’ ability to access encrypted data.

Exonerating the Innocent

Recent media coverage of wrongful convictions has led many people to defendant advocacy. While cyber forensics typically serves the prosecution in criminal cases, this isn’t always the case. For instance, the Digital Evidence Innocence Initiative is devoted to overturning wrongful convictions using digital evidence.

Unfortunately, individuals can only be exonerated after they’ve already been convicted. Criminal defendants are at a distinct disadvantage during trial since they don’t have the digital access that prosecutors do. While the state can subpoena service providers, defendants don’t have this option—but a cyber forensics expert can still find evidence to prove a convicted party’s innocence after the fact.

Fixing the Investigative Backlog with New Cybersecurity Professionals

One of the biggest hurdles that the cybersecurity industry will face in the coming years is attrition. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) projects that there will be over 16,000 new job openings for information security analysts each year until 2030, many of them due to professionals changing industries or leaving the workforce. This shortage is a good thing for those who want to enter the field.

Regardless of your current role in cybersecurity, now is the perfect time to enter the criminal justice field as a digital forensics investigator. There is a significant evidence and investigative backlog that digital analysis could solve, including at the international level (Barnes & Sanger, 2021). Without qualified professionals in the field, the best cyber forensics tools could be useless in the criminal justice system.

Reopening and Solving Cold Cases

Although the shortage of available cyber forensics professionals in criminal cases is worrying, heightened interest in solving cold cases could change this. Computer hacking forensic experts are essential in contemporary investigations, but some older cases never even involved a computer and have ended up as cold cases

However, entering old evidence into expanding databases has proven powerful in remedying this issue. Sometimes, simply organizing data can crack a long-forgotten case. The ability to collect information from old hard drives is also a useful tool for investigators, who’ve used it to solve famous cold cases (Eclipse Forensics, 2021).

Enter the World of Digital Forensic Investigation ​

Forensics is one of the most popular areas of the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, many of those interested in a role in this field as a digital forensic investigator don’t have the cybersecurity skills they need to begin their careers. If you’re interested in a career in criminal justice as a cyber forensic investigator, now is the time to start.

EC-Council’s Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (C|HFI) program, which focuses on digital forensics and evidence analysis, is lab driven and ANSI accredited. It’s ideal for everyone from IT professionals looking to switch fields to current cyber forensics experts looking to fortify their knowledge. Start your C|HFI certification today and advance your career in this exciting field.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Cyber Forensics

Cyber forensics is a process of extracting data as proof for a crime (that involves electronic devices) while following proper investigation rules to nab the culprit by presenting the evidence to the court. Cyber forensics is also known as computer forensics. The main aim of cyber forensics is to maintain the thread of evidence and documentation to find out who did the crime digitally. Cyber forensics can do the following:

◉ It can recover deleted files, chat logs, emails, etc

◉ It can also get deleted SMS, Phone calls.

◉ It can get recorded audio of phone conversations.

◉ It can determine which user used which system and for how much time.

◉ It can identify which user ran which program.

Why is cyber forensics important?

In todays technology driven generation, the importance of cyber forensics is immense. Technology combined with forensic forensics paves the way for quicker investigations and accurate results. Below are the points depicting the importance of cyber forensics:

◉ Cyber forensics helps in collecting important digital evidence to trace the criminal.

◉ Electronic equipment stores massive amounts of data that a normal person fails to see. For example: in a smart house, for every word we speak, actions performed by smart devices, collect huge data which is crucial in cyber forensics.

◉ It is also helpful for innocent people to prove their innocence via the evidence collected online.

◉ It is not only used to solve digital crimes but also used to solve real-world crimes like theft cases, murder, etc.

◉ Businesses are equally benefitted from cyber forensics in tracking system breaches and finding the attackers.

How did Cyber Forensics Experts work?

Cyber forensics is a field that follows certain procedures to find the evidence to reach conclusions after proper investigation of matters. The procedures that cyber forensic experts follow are:

◉ Identification: The first step of cyber forensics experts are to identify what evidence is present, where it is stored, and in which format it is stored.

◉ Preservation: After identifying the data the next step is to safely preserve the data and not allow other people to use that device so that no one can tamper data.

◉ Analysis: After getting the data, the next step is to analyze the data or system. Here the expert recovers the deleted files and verifies the recovered data and finds the evidence that the criminal tried to erase by deleting secret files. This process might take several iterations to reach the final conclusion.

◉ Documentation: Now after analyzing data a record is created. This record contains all the recovered and available(not deleted) data which helps in recreating the crime scene and reviewing it.

◉ Presentation: This is the final step in which the analyzed data is presented in front of the court to solve cases.

Types of computer forensics

There are multiple types of computer forensics depending on the field in which digital investigation is needed. The fields are:

◉ Network forensics: This involves monitoring and analyzing the network traffic to and from the criminal’s network. The tools used here are network intrusion detection systems and other automated tools.

◉ Email forensics: In this type of forensics, the experts check the email of the criminal and recover deleted email threads to extract out crucial information related to the case.

◉ Malware forensics: This branch of forensics involves hacking related crimes. Here, the forensics expert examines the malware, trojans to identify the hacker involved behind this.

◉ Memory forensics: This branch of forensics deals with collecting data from the memory(like cache, RAM, etc.) in raw and then retrieve information from that data.

◉ Mobile Phone forensics: This branch of forensics generally deals with mobile phones. They examine and analyze data from the mobile phone.

◉ Database forensics: This branch of forensics examines and analyzes the data from databases and their related metadata.

◉ Disk forensics: This branch of forensics extracts data from storage media by searching modified,  active, or deleted files.

Techniques that cyber forensic investigators use

Cyber forensic investigators use various techniques and tools to examine the data and some of the commonly used techniques are:

◉ Reverse steganography: Steganography is a method of hiding important data inside the digital file, image, etc. So, cyber forensic experts do reverse steganography to analyze the data and find a relation with the case.

◉ Stochastic forensics: In Stochastic forensics, the experts analyze and reconstruct digital activity without using digital artifacts. Here, artifacts mean unintended alterations of data that occur from digital processes.

◉ Cross-drive analysis: In this process, the information found on multiple computer drives is correlated and cross-references to analyze and preserve information that is relevant to the investigation.

◉ Live analysis: In this technique, the computer of criminals is analyzed from within the OS in running mode. It aims at the volatile data of RAM to get some valuable information.

◉ Deleted file recovery: This includes searching for memory to find fragments of a partially deleted file in order to recover it for evidence purposes.

Advantages

◉ Cyber forensics ensures the integrity of the computer.

◉ Through cyber forensics, many people, companies, etc get to know about such crimes, thus taking proper measures to avoid them.

◉ Cyber forensics find evidence from digital devices and then present them in court, which can lead to the punishment of the culprit.

◉ They efficiently track down the culprit anywhere in the world.

◉ They help people or organizations to protect their money and time.

◉ The relevant data can be made trending and be used in making the public aware of it.

What are the required set of skills needed to be a cyber forensic expert?

The following skills are required to be a cyber forensic expert: 

◉ As we know, cyber forensic based on technology. So, knowledge of various technologies, computers, mobile phones, network hacks, security breaches, etc. is required.

◉ The expert should be very attentive while examining a large amount of data to identify proof/evidence.

◉ The expert must be aware of criminal laws, a criminal investigation, etc.

◉ As we know, over time technology always changes, so the experts must be updated with the latest technology.

◉ Cyber forensic experts must be able to analyse the data, derive conclusions from it and make proper interpretations.

◉ The communication skill of the expert must be good so that while presenting evidence in front of the court, everyone understands each detail with clarity.

◉ The expert must have strong knowledge of basic cyber security.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Digital Forensics in Information Security

Digital Forensics is a branch of forensic science which includes the identification, collection, analysis and reporting any valuable digital information in the digital devices related to the computer crimes, as a part of the investigation.

Read More: 312-49: Computer Hacking Forensic Investigation

In simple words, Digital Forensics is the process of identifying, preserving, analyzing and presenting digital evidences. The first computer crimes were recognized in the 1978 Florida computers act and after this, the field of digital forensics grew pretty fast in the late 1980-90’s. It includes the area of analysis like storage media, hardware, operating system, network and applications.

It consists of 5 steps at high level:

1. Identification of evidence:

It includes of identifying evidences related to the digital crime in storage media, hardware, operating system, network and/or applications. It is the most important and basic step.

2. Collection:

It includes preserving the digital evidences identified in the first step so that they doesn’t degrade to vanish with time. Preserving the digital evidences is very important and crucial.

3. Analysis:

It includes analyzing the collected digital evidences of the committed computer crime in order to trace the criminal and possible path used to breach into the system.

4. Documentation:

It includes the proper documentation of the whole digital investigation, digital evidences, loop holes of the attacked system etc. so that the case can be studied and analysed in future also and can be presented in the court in a proper format.

5. Presentation:

It includes the presentation of all the digital evidences and documentation in the court in order to prove the digital crime committed and identify the criminal.

Branches of Digital Forensics:

◉ Media forensics:

It is the branch of digital forensics which includes identification, collection, analysis and presentation of audio, video and image evidences during the investigation process.

◉ Cyber forensics:

It is the branch of digital forensics which includes identification, collection, analysis and presentation of digital evidences during the investigation of a cyber crime.

◉ Mobile forensics:

It is the branch of digital forensics which includes identification, collection, analysis and presentation of digital evidences during the investigation of a crime committed through a mobile device like mobile phones, GPS device, tablet, laptop.

◉ Sofware forensics:

It is the branch of digital forensics which includes identification, collection, analysis and presentation of digital evidences during the investigation of a crime related to softwares only.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Easy Steps to Deliver High Results in EC-Council CHFI Certification

Computer hacking forensic investigation is identifying hacking attacks and appropriately deriving evidence to report the crime and carry out audits to prevent future attacks. Computer crime in the contemporary cyber world is on the surge. The police are using computer Investigation techniques and corporate entities globally, and many of them turn to EC-Council for the Digital Forensic Investigator CHFI Certification.

The core objective of the CHFI certification is to confirm the candidate's skills to detect an intruder's footprints and appropriately gather the required evidence to prosecute in the court of law. CHFI V9 certification is a tough exam from the EC-Council that centers on evaluating computer forensics professionals' skills on the critical competencies for cyber threat and attack detection, forensic investigation, evidence collection, and reporting, along with the recovery to regain compromised, encrypted, or lost data.

EC-Council CHFI Exam Information

To become a skilled, certified Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator, you require to pass the CHFI V9 exam successfully.

• Certification Name: 312-49 (ECC EXAM)
• Test Format: Multiple Choice
• Number of Questions: 150
• Test Duration: 4 Hours

EC-Council CHFI Exam Preparation

Most exam applicants across the world find EC-Council exams a bit tough. This is especially true for expert-level exams like this one. Passing them is indeed possible but not simple. What does this signify to you as an applicant? It signifies that you have to take up the best exam preparation strategies if you're going to pass CHFI on the first attempt. You need the right frame of mind, right preparation tools, and dedication to pass your CHFI v9 exam efficiently. Here are some tips on how you can prepare for and pass your certification exam:

1. Register and Start Your CHFI Exam Preparation Well in Advance

How much time you require to prepare for your CHFI certification exam defines how ready you'll be when the time to opt for the exam comes. It's recommended to give yourself enough preparation time. A few weeks may not be sufficient to grasp the exam concepts. You'll require some time to learn the topics of the exam and go through them in a phased manner. Starting early will save you from the difficulty of having to rush through your preparation and missing out on core objectives.

2. Understand What Has To Be Studied

The EC-Council website will give you what you need in terms of the topics to study. Read over the list of EC-Council CHFI exam topics as well as subtopics to figure out the direction your revision should go. Point out the concepts you need to have a solid grasp over it. This is also crucial in helping you know what study resources for the EC-Council CHFI exam to look for.

Read: CHFI Certification: How It Can Open Doors and Boost Your Computer Forensics Career

3. Join the Online Forum and Communities

The advantage of participating in a relevant online forum or community is that you can interact with like-minded people with similar aspirations of passing the exam or getting information on particular domains. If you have any doubts, this is the best platform to put them forward because there are members who have already taken the CHFI exam and passed it. You will also get significant tips on how to study for the certification exam. If you think that you have been doing something wrong, through your involvement in this forum, you will get a handful of advice on how to get it correct. The members who are certified professionals can educate you on many concepts you didn't know previously.

4. Utilize CHFI Practice Tests

Practice tests are the best tool you can utilize to study for your CHFI exam preparation. This is because they challenge you to counter your mind to answer the questions that you are likely to face in the actual exam. You will be familiar with their structure and the exam environment. Moreover, you will understand the topics you should emphasize, depending on the challenges you face when answering specific questions. Attempting practice tests help you strengthen your confidence as you head to take the real exam.

5. Rest During Your Studies

Don't study for long hours at one go as this can break you! You require some time to rest and revive your energy. For that, schedule your time in such a manner that you have small breaks between your preparation. If you store too much information in your mind at one go, you're most probably to suffer from exhaustion and even finish off losing all you've read or studied. Always set aside time for rest. You deserve it, ultimately.

Reasons to Become a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

Cybersecurity is relevantly projected to become a billion-dollar industry in the next few years. And we are already in the middle of undergoing the digital upsurge. From the small assignments to the big projects, all of it is taking place online. Public and also private enterprises are reliant on the digital world to manage their business. Whole economies are shifting digital in this age. And, as in any physical society, the number of cybercrime in the virtual society also raise with the rise in its population. It is, consequently, easy to guess that more and more forensic investigators are needed with each passing day, due to which more and more applicants like you are looking to opt for the CHFI certification exam.

What does a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator do?

As a computer forensic investigator, you will help organizations carry out a thorough investigation into the cyberattacks they face and help them trace the crime back to the cyber-criminal. Besides this, you will also be able to do two of the most vital things post a cyberattack, retrieving lost data and preparing reports to present evidence in the court of law that will bring the perpetrators to justice. It is clear that a computer forensics investigator is an extremely valued professional in the digital era we are living in now.

Read: CHFI Certification Value: Why You Need the Certification?

Career Options

CHFI is certainly a valid and reliable certification that is acceptable in many countries. It surely is not a beginner level exam. It guarantees reputed job positions in Government and private sectors. Top organizations like Noblis, Mantech International Corporation, Paylocity, and Fireye are constantly recruiting CHFI certified professionals. Some job titlesto which one can apply with this certification involves:

• Department of Defense officials
• Law enforcement officials
• Network System Administrators
• High-level E-Commerce Security professionals
• Seasoned IT Managers
• Financial Audit professionals

Summary

To sum up, Cyber forensic is a significant stepping stone towards forensic investigation and prevention of attacks. CHFI certification allows you to acquire a thorough knowledge in various investigation techniques, stored data extraction, data recovery, and analysis of different attacks. Pass your EC-Council CHFI exam on your first try and become a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator with top-notch skills. Exam readiness demands time and requires a lot of hard work. It also requires courage, intelligence, and focus. Capturing all the essential facts for the test will not come easy, but it is worth employing every effort possible. After all, it is about achieving what you have always desired.

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