Overview

Gain confidence in collecting and handling data by getting a practical understanding of the legalities, best practice and current techniques used for data acquisition as part of eDiscovery, forensic investigation or other regulatory proceedings.

Correct data capture and handling is now essential in all civil and regulatory, as well as criminal, matters. Forensic experts are not always available to preserve data evidence so organisations now require people to be competent to handle data during the initial stages of an investigation. This 2 day course has been specifically designed to equip you with the required skills if you advise on and/or handle data on a regular basis, but do not need to forensically analyse the data. It provides the same advice, techniques and expert trainers used by 7Safe’s longer forensic courses (CFIP and CFIS), but focuses on the data acquisition elements only.

The course includes an examination to recognise the skills and learning attained during the course.

  • An overview of current legislation and the impact of recent case law
  • ACPO best practice and other guidelines for data collection
  • What is ‘forensic’ in respect to data acquisition?
  • Evidence seizure, handling and chain of custody
  • The challenges of data collection due to evolving technologies i.e. solid state and cloud storage
  • Data verification, integrity, hashing techniques and actions on failure
  • Differences between static, booted and live data acquisition
  • When to consider volatile data collection and its potential impact
  • Documenting your process and report / statement writing.

Delegates will apply the theory of forensic data acquisition during practical exercises that demonstrate the following techniques:

  • Forensic imaging in a number of environments using different methods and software
  • Capture of a system from a virtualised environment
  • Extracting an individual mailbox from a live Microsoft Exchange e-mail server
  • Live system memory and volatile data capture.

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Prerequisites

General appreciation of Information Technology and computer forensic principles/methods is desirable, but not essential.

Who Should Attend?

Any person responsible for the process of data acquisition including:

  • eDiscovery consultants
  • Civil litigation lawyers / legal council
  • Law enforcement officers & agents
  • IT security Officers
  • Network administrators
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Delegates will learn how to

Delegates will apply the theory of forensic data acquisition during practical exercises that demonstrate the following techniques:

  • Forensic imaging in a number of environments using different methods and software
  • Capture of a system from a virtualised environment
  • Extracting an individual mailbox from a live Microsoft Exchange e-mail server
  • Live system memory and volatile data capture
Read more

Outline

1. Investigations Principles and Strategy

  • Legislation Considerations
  • ACPO Guideline -The Four Principles

2. Competency

  • ACPO Guideline - Competency
  • ISO standards
  • Relevant case law

3. Considerations

  • Challenges of evolving technology
  • Understanding the requirements of data collection
  • Technological conflicts

4. Collection, Exhibits & Continuity

  • Data collection sites
  • Data collection types
  • Information to be recorded
  • 'Bagging' and 'Tagging'
  • Statement for seizing physical evidence
  • Statement for copying virtual evidence
  • Chain of custody

5. Data Collection

  • The forensic preview
  • Physical examination
  • System date and time

6. Methods & Tools

  • Data acquisition methods
  • Data acquisition hardware
  • Data acquisition software
  • Data acquisition platforms

7. Forensic Image Types

  • Forensic Image
  • Forensic Clone

8. Source Integrity

  • Hardware write blockers
  • Software write blockers
  • Hashing & verification

9. Post Acquisition

  • Working copies & backups

10. Data collection Types

  • Physical
  • Logical
  • Selective

11. Data Environments

  • Booted
  • Static
  • Live
  • Volatile
  • Cloud

The above covers data collection from the following storage mediums:

  • HDD
  • SSD
  • RAID
  • SAN
  • NAS
  • File share
  • MS Exchange server
  • MS Outlook
  • Virtual disk
  • Virtual machine
  • Cloud storage
  • Webmail
  • Website
  • Smart devices
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Why choose QA

Frequently asked questions

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Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.

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Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.

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How do QA’s online courses work?

QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.

All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.

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When will I receive my joining instructions?

Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.

When will I receive my certificate?

Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.

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