Incident Response & Digital Forensics

Forensic Readiness Consulting

  • May 9, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – Forensic Readiness Consulting

Prepare for Cybersecurity Incidents with Proactive Forensic Readiness Strategies

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Forensic Readiness Consulting
Client Type: Enterprises, Government Agencies, Financial Institutions, Healthcare Providers
Service Model: On-Demand Engagement & Retainer Support
Compliance Alignment: NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, eDiscovery

Forensic Readiness Consulting Covers:

  • Assessment of Current Forensic Readiness Status
  • Development of Forensic Data Collection and Preservation Policies
  • Design and Implementation of Incident Response & Forensic Readiness Plans
  • Training for In-House Teams on Evidence Handling and Incident Response
  • Integration of Forensic Tools & Technologies
  • Forensic Analysis and Evidence Management Framework
  • Compliance Assurance with Legal and Regulatory Requirements

2. Our Approach

[Preparation] → [Assessment of Current Forensic Practices] → [Forensic Data Collection Framework] → [Incident Response & Forensic Plan Design] → [Tool Integration & Automation] → [Training & Knowledge Transfer] → [Ongoing Support & Optimization]

3. Methodology

  • Initial Assessment: Evaluate the client’s current incident response and forensic readiness posture, including data collection, preservation, and security practices.
  • Forensic Data Collection Framework: Develop and implement strategies for collecting digital evidence, including logs, file systems, memory dumps, and network traffic. Ensure integrity and chain of custody of the data collected.
  • Incident Response Plan Design: Design and implement a robust, tailored incident response plan that includes forensic capabilities and legal considerations for evidence handling.
  • Tool Integration & Automation: Integrate forensic tools (e.g., EnCase, FTK) into the client’s existing security infrastructure for automated evidence collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Training & Awareness: Provide hands-on training to in-house teams to ensure that they are prepared to handle forensic data and evidence correctly during a security incident.
  • Ongoing Support: Provide ongoing optimization, incident review, and updates to the forensic readiness strategy to keep up with emerging threats and regulatory changes.

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. Forensic Readiness Assessment Report: A comprehensive evaluation of the client’s existing forensic practices and readiness, including gaps and improvement opportunities.
  2. Forensic Data Collection Plan: A detailed framework for collecting and preserving digital evidence, with specific methodologies for various data types and sources (e.g., network logs, file systems, endpoint data).
  3. Incident Response & Forensic Plan: A customized incident response plan with forensic readiness measures incorporated, tailored to the client’s environment and legal/regulatory requirements.
  4. Forensic Tool Recommendations: A list of forensic tools and technologies that should be integrated into the organization’s security infrastructure.
  5. Training Materials & Workshops: Educational materials, including workshops and training sessions, to ensure that in-house teams are proficient in forensic evidence handling.
  6. Ongoing Support & Review: Continuous support to ensure forensic readiness strategies are up to date, with periodic audits and reviews of incident response procedures.

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • Access to Existing Incident Response Documentation: Provide current policies, procedures, and frameworks for handling incidents, if available.
  • System & Network Architecture Information: Share information on the client’s infrastructure, network topology, and key assets that should be considered during forensic data collection.
  • List of Critical Systems and Data: Identify critical systems, databases, or applications that require more stringent forensic readiness and data preservation practices.
  • Current Forensic Tools & Technologies: Inform us of any existing forensic tools already deployed, and the current configuration of these systems.
  • Incident History: Any details of past security incidents that might provide context for forensic readiness improvement.

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • Forensic Data Collection Tools:
    • EnCase: A comprehensive forensic tool for disk imaging, evidence collection, and analysis.
    • FTK (Forensic Toolkit): Forensic software for disk and data analysis, specializing in deep file analysis and data carving.
    • X1 Social Discovery: Forensic tool for collecting and analyzing social media evidence.
    • Plaso (log2timeline): Open-source tool for creating timelines from digital evidence, useful for incident investigations.
    • Cellebrite UFED: Tool for mobile device forensic data extraction.
  • Incident Response & Management Tools:
    • Cortex XSOAR: Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platform to integrate forensic readiness into incident response workflows.
    • Splunk: Security information and event management (SIEM) for monitoring, collecting, and analyzing log data.
    • TheHive: Open-source incident response platform that integrates forensic evidence collection and reporting.
  • Chain of Custody & Evidence Management:
    • CaseGuard: Forensic evidence management software designed for digital forensics teams.
    • FTK Imager: Tool for creating disk images and ensuring evidence integrity during forensic investigations.

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Client Onboarding & Initial Assessment: Begin with a comprehensive review of current forensic practices and readiness.
  2. Forensic Data Collection Plan Development: Design a data collection framework tailored to the client’s needs, including guidelines for chain of custody and preservation of evidence.
  3. Incident Response & Forensic Plan Design: Develop and implement a customized incident response plan that includes forensic capabilities and legally-compliant evidence handling procedures.
  4. Tool Selection & Integration: Select the appropriate forensic tools based on the client’s environment and integrate them into the client’s security infrastructure.
  5. Training & Knowledge Transfer: Provide in-depth training for in-house teams on forensic evidence handling, chain of custody, and best practices for incident response.
  6. Ongoing Review & Optimization: Offer continued support to review and optimize the forensic readiness strategy, adapting to evolving threats, technologies, and regulations.

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
Customized Forensic Readiness Tailored forensic readiness strategies that align with your unique infrastructure and regulatory needs.
Expert Forensic Consultants Highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in forensic investigations and compliance requirements.
Advanced Tool Integration Seamless integration of advanced forensic tools and technologies into your existing security architecture.
Proactive Incident Response Develop a forward-thinking approach to managing digital evidence, ensuring that you’re prepared for security incidents before they occur.
Comprehensive Training In-depth training programs to equip your team with the necessary skills to handle forensic evidence effectively during an incident.

9. Real-World Case Studies

Financial Institution – Ransomware Incident

Client: A financial institution suffered a ransomware attack that encrypted key financial systems.
Findings: We helped the institution design a forensic readiness plan that included rapid evidence collection and ensured the proper handling of encrypted data to trace back the attack’s origin.
Outcome: After the attack, the forensic plan enabled quick recovery and helped identify the threat actor, providing valuable evidence for law enforcement.

Healthcare Provider – Data Breach Investigation

Client: A healthcare provider experienced a data breach that exposed patient records.
Findings: Our forensic readiness program identified key areas for improvement in data collection and evidence preservation, ensuring compliance with HIPAA.
Outcome: The provider was able to respond quickly, mitigate the breach, and prevent further data leaks, while also meeting regulatory requirements for breach notification.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Forensic Data Collection: Follow strict protocols for collecting and preserving digital evidence, ensuring integrity and chain of custody.
  2. Incident Response Activation: Activate the incident response team based on predefined triggers, incorporating forensic evidence handling at every stage.
  3. Data Preservation: Ensure that all evidence is preserved according to legal and regulatory standards, making it admissible in court if necessary.
  4. Forensic Analysis: Conduct thorough forensic analysis using industry-standard tools to uncover attack vectors, determine the scope of the incident, and identify key evidence.
  5. Reporting & Documentation: Maintain detailed logs and documentation of forensic activities, including evidence collection, analysis findings, and mitigation actions.
  6. Post-Incident Review: Conduct a review of the incident to identify improvements in the forensic readiness strategy and incident response plans.

11. Forensic Readiness – Readiness Checklist

1. Pre-Incident Setup

  • [ ] Incident Response Plan: Ensure that a detailed incident response plan is in place with integrated forensic capabilities.
  • [ ] Forensic Tools: Confirm that all forensic tools are properly integrated into the network and tested regularly.
  • [ ] Forensic Data Collection Guidelines: Create and distribute a clear set of guidelines for evidence collection, including chain of custody procedures.
  • [ ] Data Backup & Storage: Ensure that critical data is securely backed up and stored, with a plan for rapid recovery in the event of an incident.
  • [ ] Legal & Compliance Review: Verify that evidence collection and handling procedures comply with relevant laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

2. During Incident Response

  • [ ] Evidence Collection: Collect relevant evidence according to established forensic practices and chain of custody.
  • [ ] Incident Documentation: Maintain detailed logs of the incident, including timestamps and actions taken.
  • [ ] Forensic Analysis: Perform forensic analysis to uncover attack vectors, data exfiltration methods, and attacker tactics.
  • [ ] Evidence Preservation: Ensure that all collected evidence is preserved without alteration or corruption.
  • [ ] Incident Escalation: Escalate the incident as necessary, involving external parties like law enforcement if required.

3. Post-Incident Actions

  • [ ] Root Cause Analysis: Conduct a thorough root cause analysis to prevent future incidents.
  • [ ] Forensic Report: Generate a comprehensive report detailing forensic findings, including evidence and any legal implications.
  • [ ] Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all actions taken during the incident comply with applicable laws and regulations.
  • [ ] Process Improvement: Identify weaknesses in the current forensic readiness strategy and recommend improvements.

4. Continuous Improvement

  • [ ] Review & Update: Periodically review and update the forensic readiness strategy to account for new threats and evolving technologies.
  • [ ] Lessons Learned: Document and apply lessons learned from each incident to refine the organization’s forensic readiness and response plans.
  • [ ] Staff Training: Continuously train staff on handling forensic evidence and responding to security incidents.
Incident Post-Mortem_Lessons Learned
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