We have suffered a cyber-attack, we don’t know what the full impact has been, what resources have been affected, if we still have systems infected or whether information has been stolen. What can we do? In this article we will describe what a cybersecurity forensic analysis is, the previous steps that need to be taken and its benefits.
Essential Tool for the Cybersecurity Team
Cybersecurity has become one of the main concerns for companies and organizations worldwide. Cyber threats can cause serious economic and reputational damage and can jeopardize the privacy and security of confidential data. That’s why it’s important to have a specialized cybersecurity team capable of identifying and preventing attacks before they happen and responding effectively in the event of a successful attack.
One of the key tools in the arsenal of any cybersecurity team is the cybersecurity forensic analysis. Cybersecurity forensic analysis refers to the process of collecting, analysing, and presenting digital evidence with the goal of determining the cause and scope of an online security incident. This process is essential for understanding how the attack occurred and what data was compromised, which in turn helps to prevent future similar attacks and strengthen existing security measures.
Steps needed before conducting a cybersecurity forensic analysis.
Before conducting a cybersecurity forensic analysis, it is important to take certain steps to ensure that the analysis is accurate and effective. These steps include:
- Preserving the evidence: The first step in any forensic analysis is to preserve the evidence. This means that the system or device in question should be immediately disconnected, if possible, from the network and power source to prevent any further changes or modifications to the evidence. It is also important to document the state of the system or device at the time of discovery, including any open applications or files.
- Identifying the scope: Once the evidence has been preserved, it is important to identify the scope of the investigation. This includes determining the type of incident that occurred, the systems or devices involved, and the potential impact on the organization. This will help to focus the investigation and ensure that all relevant evidence is collected.
- Conducting a risk assessment: Before beginning the analysis, it is important to conduct a risk assessment to determine the potential impact of the incident on the organization. This includes assessing the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data or systems involved, as well as the potential for legal or regulatory issues.
- Identifying the tools and techniques: Depending on the scope of the investigation, different tools and techniques may be necessary for conducting the analysis. This may include tools for network analysis, memory analysis, and file system analysis, as well as techniques for data recovery and decryption.
Conducting a forensic cybersecurity analysis
This process is carried out after a security incident has occurred, such as a data breach, malware attack, or online identity theft.
The steps involved in a forensic cybersecurity analysis are:
- Collection of digital evidence: Once the attack and Its scope has been identified, and the tools and techniques have been selected, the collection of digital evidence is carried out. This involves obtaining copies of the affected systems, including activity logs, log files, emails, and any other relevant digital evidence. It is important to carry out this process carefully and accurately to ensure that the collected evidence is admissible in court, if necessary.
- Analysis of evidence: The next step is the analysis of the collected evidence. This involves a thorough review of the files and logs to identify patterns and clues that may help determine the cause and scope of the incident. It may also include the identification of tools and techniques used by the attacker, as well as the reconstruction of the attack process.
- Presentation of results: Forensic analysis culminates in the presentation of results. This may include the preparation of a detailed report describing the findings, causes, and scope of the incident, as well as recommendations for improving security. In some cases, the collected evidence may also be presented as part of legal proceedings, such as criminal investigations or litigation related to cybersecurity.
Benefits of a forensic cybersecurity analysis
The benefits of cybersecurity forensic analysis are multiple.
First, it allows for the identification and cessation of ongoing attacks, which can limit potential damage and minimize downtime.
Furthermore, by collecting, analysing, and presenting digital evidence, it is able to determine the cause and extent of the security incident.
Additionally, forensic analysis provides valuable information to improve cybersecurity, as it allows cybersecurity teams to identify possible vulnerabilities and security gaps in the organization’s infrastructure.
Finally, forensic analysis can be used as evidence in legal proceedings, which can be of great help in the case of criminal investigations or litigation related to cybersecurity.
Aeromarine’s forensic cybersecurity analysis
Aeromarine’s team of forensic analysts is made up of experienced professionals, highly trained and continuously updated to the diversity of existing attacks and therefore to the latest analysis techniques.
Aeromarine Team’s research and analytical work, their skills and experience in ethical hacking, and their knowledge of computer systems and networks, among many other skills, provide valuable insights into the investigation of the incident.
Aeromarine’s forensic analysis methodologies are based on industry best practices, such as those recommended in the Guide to Integrating Forensic Techniques into Incident Response Special Publication 800-86 of the US NIST.
Throughout the entire analysis process, special attention is paid to the chain of custody of evidence to ensure its validity if necessary.
Conclusion
In summary, forensic analysis of cybersecurity is a critical process for identifying and resolving cybersecurity incidents. It is a fundamental tool for any cybersecurity team that takes the protection of data and privacy online seriously.
The forensic analysis should be included, as an integral part of the process, in the incident response plan of the company. Having a team trained in these techniques will be a vital aid in protecting the organisation’s assets against security incidents.
Furthermore, It provides valuable information to prevent future attacks, improve online security, and ultimately protect the assets and reputation of an organization.
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