Computer Forensics

Computer forensics is the process of using the latestorganizations fail to protect customer data.
knowledge of science and technology with computerOrganization money can also be saved by applying
sciences to collect, analyze and present proofs to thecomputer forensics. Some mangers and personnel
criminal or civil courts. Network administrator andspent a large portion of their IT budget for network
security staff administer and manage networks andand computer security. It is reported by International
information systems should have complete knowledgeData Corporation (IDC) that software for vulnerability
of computer forensics. The meaning of the wordassessment and intrusion detection will approach $1.45
"forensics" is "to bring to the court". Forensics is thebillion in 2006.
process which deals in finding evidence and recoveringAs organizations are increasing in number and the risk
the data. The evidence includes many forms such asof hackers and contractors is also increase so they
finger prints, DNA test or complete files on computerhave developed their own security systems.
hard drives etc. The consistency and standardizationOrganizations have developed security devices for
of computer forensics across courts is not recognizedtheir network like intrusions detection systems (IDS),
strongly because it is new discipline.proxies, firewalls which report on the security status of
It is necessary for network administrator and securitynetwork of an organization. So technically the major
staff of networked organizations to practice computergoal of computer forensics is to recognize, gather,
forensics and should have knowledge of lawsprotect and examine data in such a way that protects
because rate of cyber crimes is increasing greatly. It isthe integrity of the collected evidence to use it
very interesting for mangers and personnel who wantefficiently and effectively in a case.
to know how computer forensics can become aInvestigation of computer forensics has some typical
strategic element of their organization security.aspects. In first area computer experts who
Personnel, security staff and network administratorinvestigate computers should know the type of
should know all the issues related to computerevidence they are looking for to make their search
forensics. Computer experts use advanced tools andeffective. Computer crimes are wide in range such as
techniques to recover deleted, damaged or corruptchild pornography, theft of personal data and
data and evidence against attacks and intrusions.destruction of data or computer.
These evidences are collected to follow cases inSecond, computer experts or investigators should use
criminal and civil courts against those culprits whosuitable tools. The investigators should have good
committed computer crimes. The survivability andknowledge of software, latest techniques and
integrity of network infrastructure of any organizationmethods to recover the deleted, encrypted or
depends on the application of computer forensics. Indamaged files and prevent further damage in the
the current situations computer forensics should beprocess of recovery.
taken as the basic element of computer and networkIn computer forensics two kinds of data are collected.
security. It would be a great advantage for yourPersistent data is stored on local disk drives or on
company if you know all the technical and legalother media and is protected when the computer is
aspects of computer forensics. If your network ispowered off or turned off. Volatile data is stored in
attacked and intruder is caught then good knowledgerandom access memory and is lost when the
about computer forensics will help to provide evidencecomputer is turned off or loses power. Volatile data is
and prosecute the case in the court.located in caches, random access memory (RAM)
There are many risks if you practice computerand registers. Computer expert or investigator should
forensics badly. If you don't take it in account then vitalknow trusted ways to capture volatile data. Security
evidence might be destroyed. New laws are beingstaff and network administrators should have
developed to protect customers' data; but if certainknowledge about network and computer administration
kind of data is not properly protected then manytask effects on computer forensics process and the
liabilities can be assigned to the organization. New rulesability to recover data lost in a security incident.
can bring organizations in criminal or civil courts if the