With increased operational and fiscal pressures, international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental agencies face increased cyber risks and opportunities. These include financial crimes, the misappropriation of assets, and attacks on information systems. A COVID-19 pandemic may also increase the impact of these threats, and weakened operational controls can lead to exploitative behavior by wrongdoers.
Careers in cyber forensics
Cyber forensics is the study of computer and network data that enables organisations to trace and identify digital crime objects. Cyber forensics officers follow strict procedures to protect sensitive evidence and maintain the integrity of the findings. They also secure copies of the original storage media. This is important because any damage to the device can diminish the authenticity of the finding or hinder its use in court.
In addition, a career in cyber forensics requires an in-depth knowledge of the latest cybersecurity threats and solutions. Staying up to date on new trends helps computer forensic experts anticipate new cybercrime cases and protect the public. The daily tasks of a forensic computer analyst vary depending on the field and the organization. Some focus on a single case, while others work on several investigations at once. In addition, computer forensic experts must prepare themselves for unexpected changes in the investigative process, as emergencies can arise at any time.
A career in computer forensics is a rewarding option for individuals interested in preserving and protecting the privacy of sensitive information. Computer forensic analysts investigate the security risks of computer networks, develop defensive software, and protect sensitive data. They also conduct research on new technologies.
Methods of collecting digital evidence
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can use digital evidence to strengthen the testimony of eyewitnesses and monitor ongoing issues. These digital materials can be collected via a variety of methods. One example is MediCapt, a digital platform that collects evidence related to sexual violence. It then securely transmits the information to authorities involved in criminal justice. These authorities can include police force investigators, NGOs working in conflict zones, prosecuting lawyers, and magistrates or judges from the civilian and military justice sectors. The goal is to break down systemic barriers to the sharing of evidence.
The methods of collecting digital evidence have evolved rapidly over the past few years. The Berkeley Protocol and OTP Manual encourage investigators to collect only relevant content from the Internet, rather than archiving everything. However, the sheer volume of digital information can pose challenges for investigators. They must also ensure that the collected information is authentic.
Legal requirements of digital forensics work
Forensics is the investigation of digital data and the use of forensic software to recover critical data from computer systems. Its techniques help investigators gather critical evidence by identifying the locations and types of files stored on a computer system. Forensic software can also be used to scan digital devices and break encryption. As with any other kind of forensic work, digital forensics technicians need to be aware of privacy and data protection laws.
Legal requirements vary by country. Some jurisdictions do not require digital forensic experts to have any specific certification. Others may allow digital forensics specialists to work under the supervision of a certified professional. The requirements of digital forensics are different in many countries, and they depend on the specifics of the case.
NGOs often face challenges when it comes to digital forensics. For instance, NGOs often must coordinate the work of forensic analysts and data-miners. In addition, their efforts often fall in the middle of a battle between human smugglers and the border control of the E.U.
Methods of preserving digital evidence
Government agencies and private companies can seek guidance from law enforcement on best practices in preserving digital evidence. In general, good evidence management follows a five-step process that includes identification, collection, acquisition, preservation, and analysis. Identification involves identifying a device, making sure there is minimal alteration to its condition, and collecting it. Acquisition involves obtaining data from the device collected. The type of data extraction needed will depend on the type of device.
Digital evidence must be protected and verified to be useful to a court of law. NGOs can preserve digital evidence in different ways. One method is through a web browser. This preserves the original copy of the material, provides proof of authenticity, and creates future-proof offline copies that can be accessed, annotated, and exported. The software will also log and record all access to the archive.
Another method is to copy readable files from media storage. Forensic experts can also extract metadata from a device. This information provides information about how files were used, whether the device was shut down, and whether a user tried to copy the files to a different device. The key is not to work directly on original media, as this will remove valuable metadata. To prevent this from happening, professional data retrieval services use virtual copies. This also helps preserve metadata.