With the expansion of cybersecurity risks and related threats, establishing a secure and reliable digital forensics lab is crucial for the overall crime investigation.

A protected forensic laboratory necessitates a number of methods and technologies. Because no equipment can perform everything you desire, you must be familiar with the hardware and software components available in these labs.

Furthermore, as the science and digital forensic specialists become more mature, there is a greater requirement for evaluation and approval of both digital forensic analysts and forensic research labs.

It's important to understand the difference between evaluation and approval. The forensic examiner must complete a certification process or program, while the forensic research lab must be accredited.

Let’s check the procedures of setting up a digital forensic lab. 

What is the concept of a digital forensic laboratory?

A digital forensic laboratory, aka, digital forensic lab, is a center wherein digital forensic analysis are carried out.

The trained police investigator examines breaches, multimedia, recordings, and other sorts of cybercrime items from a criminal investigation in a digital forensics’ lab.

Setting up a digital forensic lab correctly 

As part of a regular warranty protocol, this is accomplished by adhering to specified standards of quality. The accreditation of the digital laboratory must be validated to ensure conformity with these criteria.

Similarly, a strong forensic laboratory must be defended from criminality as well as natural and outside challenges, such as flooding and fire hazards. Similarly, the lab will use on-site secure evidence storage and backup solutions designed specifically for storing such evidence.

The technique of a forensic lab is set up reflecting the effectiveness of the digital forensic analysis. The goals of this type of laboratory are as follows. The following are the primary goals of using the digital Forensic Labs.

• It involves the retrieval, investigation, and preservation of computers and related records in a manner that allows investigators to defend them in the courtroom.
• It aids in determining the crime's intention and the identification of the case's original person.
• Create processes to ensure that any digital evidence discovered during the inquiry is not tampered with.
• Backup, recovery, and replication, as well as files and partitions, wiped from digital media, are all used to retrieve and verify evidence.
• Furthermore, the potential impact of malicious action on the victim can be calculated.

The lab creates computerized forensic reports that must include information about the investigative process. It also keeps track of evidence all the way through the chain of custody.

Digital forensics lab process

Digital forensics lab involves the following steps. 

• Collection and retrieval
• Preservation 
• Analysis
• Documentation
• Presentation. 

4 vital knowledge you should know about a digital forensic lab 

1. Every digital forensic analysis must be prepared with the strongest hardware and software tools relating to the field of evidence collection in order to provide technical counselling and high-level technical competence.
2. Data recovery, examination of mobile phones, tablets, and Smartphones, forensic copies of hard drives and storage devices, protocol analysis, and audio, video, and telephone records are all possible in the digital forensics’ lab.
3. In addition to possessing the majority of forensic analysis software, the professionals who work with the organization must have years of experience using it to be able to fully harness its potential in many disciplines of computer investigation.
4. Through forensic analysis and timeline or super timeline instrumentation, the laboratory may also recreate the actions that occurred on smartphones, computers, mobile phones, or networks, which is necessary to document the client's attack operations.Intrusion, unauthorized access, malware, espionage via WhatsApp or Trojan or keylogger, and intellectual property theft are just a few examples.

How to choose a trustworthy digital forensics lab contractor

There are few investigative organizations that actually specialize in digital forensic lab construction. Most private investigators lack the experience or understanding of the complex legal difficulties that arise when dealing with circumstances that could result in expensive lawsuits.

Here are some crucial guidelines for finding a qualified digital forensic lab contractor. 

#1. Fees and agreements

Prior to taking cases, knowledgeable and trustworthy organizations submit proposals and contracts. If you don't get one, at the very least ask for an estimate. It is usual practice to pay an advance at the start of a case. It is, nevertheless, totally acceptable to request references from a provider before paying the full amount.

#2. Attorneys and law enforcement agents are both involved

Professional investigators recognize the value of bringing in a real, qualified attorney to help with the investigation. Entities that really don't want to involve their legal advice in the investigation should not be retained.

A good private investigating laboratory can advise you ahead of time how long your case will take if it is prosecuted. Typically, the better the result your investigator makes, the sooner your issue will progress through the judiciary. 

#3. Experience

Check to see if the lab, and also the staff allocated to your case, have the appropriate expertise and credentials to carry out the investigation. There are only a few investigation firms that engage in industrial investigations.

Public liability insurance is required for all authorized research laboratories. Before getting a license, several provinces demand insurance. Make absolutely sure the coverage is on the incident, not claims being made, on certification of insurance.

#4. Privacy

Privacy and data security are extremely necessary; the lab must provide clients with an acceptable level of privacy integrity, which is even more necessary now.

#5. Reputation and references

In this sector, reputation differs greatly. Quality research companies are well-known in the business world and participate in professional trade organizations. You should get at least three references and properly check them. You can find out about their history and experience with lawsuits and claims on the laboratory's website.

#6. Eagerness to testify

Before the inquiry starts, make sure that all forensic experts are willing to appear in court at prosecution, civil, or unemployed hearings or arbitrations, if required.

#7. Related instruments 

Check to see if your prospective investigators have a full-fledged digital forensics lab. Some ostensibly knowledgeable people simply make do with whatever resources they have. Because new technologies emerge on a regular basis, the state-of-the-art digital forensics lab includes periodic software and hardware updates, which you should be fully conscious of.

To conclude…

So, to set up a digital forensic lab, first ensure the above matters that an investigation organization will keep in mind. 

If you need more support in building a digital forensic lab, you may contact us. Thanks for staying with us.