PACE-IT: Basic Forensic Concepts

Basic forensic concepts.

Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College

Areas of Expertise Industry Certifications PC Hardware Network

Administration IT Project

Management

Network Design User Training IT Troubleshooting

Qualifications Summary

Education M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University

Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues into efficient and effective solutions. Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse workforces, improving processes, analyzing business needs and creating the solutions required— with a focus on technology.

Brian K. Ferrill, M.B.A.


– Collecting the evidence.

– After the evidence has been collected.

PACE-IT.

Collecting the evidence.Basic forensic concepts.

Collecting the evidence.

The first step in basic forensics is the recognition that forensic measures need to take place (i.e., that a security incident has occurred).

Most of us, hopefully, will not need to deal with a murder mystery in the workplace. With that said, it is almost a certainty that we will have to deal with some type of security or legal issue when supporting an organization’s network.The response to security and legal issues needs to be done in a manner such that evidence is recorded and preserved. The first step is recognizing that something has occurred which needs to be documented and that evidence needs to be collected and preserved.



– First responder responsibilities.» Secure the area and limit who has access to the area as

much as possible; do not power down computer systems.

• This is to protect possible evidence from being contaminated.

• Document anyone who has accessed the area after it has been secured.

• If necessary, to stop an ongoing computer attack, it is permissible to unplug the network cable.

» If necessary, escalate the response.• Depending on the situation, you may need to bring in

specialists or even the police.» Document the scene thoroughly, including what is on

any computer monitors.• Polaroid type pictures, not digital pictures, work well

as evidence.• It may also be necessary to diagram the area.• Interview any witnesses as soon as possible.

» Start the electronic evidence collection process by order of volatility.



– Evidence/data collection.» Electronic evidence is volatile and easily corruptible

just because of what it is, so the order of collection is important.

• Contents of memory – the most volatile of all types of data.

• Swap files – not as volatile as RAM, but still very temporary.

• Network processes – all network processes that are active on the affected system or systems.

• System processes – all system processes that are active on the affected system or systems.

• File system information – including the attributes of all files.

• Raw disk blocks – all of the contents on all of the disk drives of all affected systems.

» After isolating the affected system or systems from the network, create a bit level image of the system or systems.

• Create two copies of the bit level image and create a message digest (e.g., an MD5 or SHA hash) of the images to be able to later prove they have not been tampered with.

• One image should be securely stored to be used as evidence.

• The other image can be examined.


After the evidence has been collected.Basic forensic concepts.

After the evidence has been collected.

– Chain of custody.» A document that identifies who collected the evidence,

when it was collected, and who has had access to it.• A proper chain of custody document can prove that

evidence has been accurately preserved and can also be considered part of the evidence.

• A chain of custody document will help to ensure that all evidence is admissible in court.

• A broken chain of custody will negate the collected evidence.

– eDiscovery (electronic discovery).» In legal situations, the discovery process involves the

exchange of evidence between both sides of a litigation or prosecution situation.

» eDiscovery refers to the discovery process as it pertains to electronic data (e.g., email or chat records).

• Once identified in the eDiscovery process, a legal hold is placed on data identified.



– Legal hold.» If data is deemed to be possibly relevant in either a

prosecution or litigation situation, all normal processing of that data needs to cease.

• Requires that backup tapes not be recycled and that the normal archival process for that data be suspended until the legal hold is removed.

– Data transport.» If physical evidence is required to be transported, a

chain of custody document must be created for the transportation process and it needs to include:

• A description of the evidence.• The means of transport.• Who received the evidence.• Who has had access to the evidence.

» If electronic means of transport are used, a message digest should also be included to prove that the exact evidence sent is the evidence that is received.



Once the investigation has been completed, a forensic report needs to be created based on the findings.

During the evidence collection and investigative process, the characteristics of the evidence (e.g., time stamps and identifying properties) should have been documented. All of this information needs to be recorded and analyzed using scientific methods. Once completed, the forensic report should be able to completely reconstruct and document the incident.A forensic report may be used in the litigation or prosecution process. In addition, a good forensic report may help in the creation of a better response plan for use in the future.


What was covered.Basic forensic concepts.

The first step is recognizing that an incident requires the use of forensic measures. First responder responsibilities: secure the scene, escalate if necessary, document everything, collect evidence. Collect electronic evidence in order of volatility: contents of memory, swap files, network processes, system processes, file system information, and raw block data. Create two bit images of the affected system, along with a message digest of the images.

Topic


Summary

A chain of custody document must be created for the evidence and it is considered part of the evidence as well. If eDiscovery occurs, the normal processing of the identified data needs to cease as a legal hold will be placed on that data. When transporting physical evidence, a chain of custody document must be created for the transportation process. When sending electronic data, a message digest needs to be included to prove the validity of the data. A forensic report should be capable of completely reconstructing the incident and can be used as evidence and in the creation of future response plans.


THANK YOU!

This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call 425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about the PACE-IT program. For any additional special accommodations needed, call the SSD office at 425.640.1814. Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship, marital, or veteran status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.

PACE-IT: Basic Forensic Concepts

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Transcript of PACE-IT: Basic Forensic Concepts