Business Data Theft Investigations

When Critical Data Goes Missing, We Deliver the Digital Evidence

Protecting your organization’s sensitive data is more challenging than ever. That data can include your intellectual property, trade secrets or other confidential information, including data about your clients. It’s not just outside cybercriminals you need to worry about it – you also need to be vigilant toward insider threats as well. As many as 72% of departing employees admit to taking company data and 70% of intellectual property theft occurs within the 90 days before an employee’s resignation announcement, according to a recent report.

Not only that, but external threats are becoming more deceptive than ever, with cybercriminals leveraging generative AI to create deepfakes that are more sophisticated than ever. With decades of experience in forensic investigations and electronic discovery, Forensic Discovery provides peace of mind to our clients in the knowledge that we can identify and analyze the evidence to determine the “when, where, who and how” your important data was stolen. Forensic Discovery is what we are all about!

Scope of Services

At Forensic Discovery, our team of investigators combines best practices for digital forensic collection with advanced analytics and expertise in understanding the latest methods used by internal and external threats to your data.  Here’s how we provide data theft investigation services to our clients:

Examples of Sensitive Data Typically at Risk

At Forensic Discovery, our certified digital forensics experts are equipped to help companies address all forms of data theft. We specialize in cases involving sensitive data, including:

1. Intellectual Property Theft: Involving the unauthorized use of patents, trademarks, and proprietary technologies.
2. Trade Secret Misappropriation: Involving the theft of confidential strategies, processes, and techniques.
3. Confidential Data Breaches: Involving the exposure of client lists and other sensitive company or customer information.

Whether the threat comes from a current or former employee, a trusted business partner, or an external cyberattack, we can investigate the source, identify the culprit, provide the necessary evidence for internal actions or litigation, and help restore your confidence in the security of your sensitive company data.

Devices and Data Sources We Can Investigate

Every digital action creates indicators of that action, many of which can be recovered even after the data has been deleted. Combining decades of experience with industry certifications in disciplines including computer forensics, cybercrime investigations and electronic data recovery, we are well-equipped to help your company address and manage the consequences of data theft.

Our team of experts is equipped to investigate a wide range of devices and data sources, including:

• Computers and Laptops: Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.
• Mobile Devices: iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
• Servers: On-premises and cloud-based servers.
• Email Systems: Exchange, Office 365, Gmail, and other email platforms.
• Databases: SQL, NoSQL, Oracle, MongoDB, and others.
• Network Devices: Routers, switches, firewalls, and other network appliances.
• External Storage Devices: USB drives, external hard drives, and SD cards.
• Cloud Services: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and other cloud storage providers.
• Social Media Accounts: Investigation of compromised or misused business accounts.
• IoT Devices: Smart devices connected to your business network.

Since digital evidence of data theft can reside in various sources, the investigative process must involve forensic analysis of multiple device types and storage locations. Our digital forensics expertise ensures that all relevant evidence is collected in a forensically sound manner, and securely preserved for both internal investigations and legal proceedings.

Our Process for Data Theft Investigations

While every case is different and unique, there are typical steps we take to uncover and present important evidence to identify potential theft and hold the bad actors responsible. Our Forensic Discovery process typically includes the following steps:

• Identifying Evidence Sources: Determining the relevant devices, data locations, and other potential sources of evidence.
• Preserving Data Integrity: Collecting the data in a forensically sound manner, including creation of forensic images using write-blocking techniques, to ensure data is protected from alteration or destruction.
• Data Extraction: Retrieving information from emails, applications, social media posts, hard drives, and cloud storage platforms.
• Analyzing Extracted Data: Recovering deleted files, identifying patterns or anomalies, and discovering crucial information within the data.
• Interpreting Evidence: Correlating data points, constructing timelines, and analyzing data to reconstruct events or pinpoint the responsible party.
• Reporting Findings: Compiling evidence, thoroughly documenting findings, and preparing a detailed, easy-to-understand report.
• Expert Testimony and Documentation: Providing findings through declarations, affidavits, expert reports, and delivering expert testimony as required.

Business Data Theft Protection Strategies

Preventing data theft requires a proactive approach combining technology, policies, and employee awareness. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Implement Strong Access Controls: Use multi-factor authentication and limit access to sensitive data based on roles and responsibilities.
• Conduct Regular Security Audits: Regularly review and update security protocols and systems to identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Encrypt Sensitive Data: Use encryption for both stored data and data in transit to protect against unauthorized access.
• Monitor and Log Activity: Maintain comprehensive logs of all network and system activities to promptly detect potential data theft from internal or external threats.
• Establish a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Program: Implement DLP technologies to monitor and control the transfer of sensitive information.
• Educate Employees on Data Security: Conduct regular training sessions on recognizing phishing attempts, safe data handling practices, and the importance of data security.
• Develop a Data Breach Response Plan: Prepare a detailed response plan that outlines the steps to take in the event of a suspected data breach.
• Update and Patch Systems Regularly: Ensure all software, hardware, and systems are up to date with the latest security patches.
• Limit the Use of Personal Devices: Implement a strict BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy to minimize the risk of data breaches from personal devices.