Response and Investigation
Digital Forensics Use Cases
Digital forensics services are a powerful tool that can help resolve criminal investigations and civil matters. LCG stands out with over 128+ years of combined leadership and investigative experience. The leadership team is not only proven in all of their specific specialties but vetted within the forensics/cyber risk community. Our analysts and experts use the latest tools and technology to recover electronic data from mobile devices, computers, networks, and cloud accounts, analyze it quickly, and then document it internally or for litigation/ evidence in court.
Specifically, LCG digital forensics experts can identify, preserve, examine and analyze any electronic evidence or investigative trail through scientifically accepted and widely acknowledged procedures using methods admissible in a court of law. Our expertise encompasses not only criminal cases involving law violations and law enforcement parties but also civil cases aiming to protect the rights and property of individuals and corporations.
Digital forensics is essential in the civil and criminal justice systems because it can help locate, validate and confirm the truth of any digital evidence. However, its applications are multifaceted. Businesses and industries have a complex system of networks to prevent the breach of their information trading and so do everyday people who are surrounded by devices that can collect digital evidence, such as cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, and even motor vehicle information systems. Yet even as robust as these various systems and the technology used to investigate them, the real value is in the experience of the expert working with you.
LCG: We Protect, And We Guide Where We Could Benefit You
LCG is a leader in Digital Forensics, and our team of digital forensics investigators can help you safeguard your interests and Intellectual Property (IP) in several areas. Some examples are:
- RInsider Data Theft involving illegally obtaining corporate, private, personal, financial, and other information
- RCybercrime, Voter tampering, civil disputes, arson and fire, evidence destruction.
- RBusiness espionage means espionage done to get commercial or financial information from a competitor
- RAn asset search can be essential for finding asset owners or asset history through public and private records
- RWorkplace death or serious injury, wrongful death claims, sexual harrassment / misconduct
- RFinancial cases in which data recovery and forensic analysis can be of cardinal importance
- RCrimes against persons/children
- RData retrieval/analysis
- RFraud, including insurance fraud
- RAnd much more… if it stores data of potential importance, LCG can forensically recover it, analyze it and present it in a clear and concise manner that reveals the truth.
FAQ
What is the golden rule of forensics?
When dealing with a live crime scene, criminal investigators know better than to touch, move, change, or transfer any object found in the scene until it is photographed, marked, and documented. Similarly, in digital forensics, the same rules apply. Only this time, the “scene,” does not always refer to actual tangible objects but digital evidence and data data which, whenever possible, should not be altered and remain in its original, unaltered state.
What is the process of digital forensics?
Where can digital evidence be found?
In short, digital evidence can be found almost everywhere. Recoverable data is stored e in almost ANY electronic device and, in the right circumstances, can be extracted and examined. Appliances, including prominent locations such as computer hard drives, cell phones, and smartwatches, exist in online sources, including social media or cloud computing/storage, and in much more intimate locations such as home security systems internet-enabled appliances, vehicles, etc. LCG’s experts are trained in extracting and analyzing digital evidence no matter where it resides.
Advanced Computer Forensics Services
Hire An Computer Forensics Investigator
Computer and digital forensics sits at the intersection of science and technology and leverages experience, skill, and investigative techniques to identify and analyze evidence found in computers, digital storage media, and elsewhere. LCG boasts digital forensics experts with unparalleled experience, knowledge, and skills to examine any computer-related evidence.
The field of computer forensics is rapidly evolving thanks to the immersion of technology in our daily lives. The goal for those in this profession, at any given time – whether examining an old hard drive or working on something as recent as Apple’s newest operating system, is to extract data from any digital storage device or medium in a forensically sound manner and perform state-of-the-art forensic analyses of that data. LCG provides top-notch expertise in all of the following fields:
Digital Forensics Services – Analysis Done Right
With our experience and expertise, we can provide you with reliable computer forensics services. You can trust our computer and digital forensics experts with the following forensics services:
Forensic preservation
our team is highly skilled in the forensic preservation of all sources of digital evidence. This is a pivotal stage to ensure evidence is not mishandled at the risk of being altered and will ensure accurate and defensible analysis at a later stage. This process also includes proper/documented handling under a full and defensible chain of custody of all evidence from inception to final disposition.
On-site acquisitions
Computer Forensics Examination
Expert Consulting
Detailed Forensic/Expert Reports
Expert Witness Testimony
Remote Acquisitions
Deleted Data Recovery
Secure Forensic destruction
LCG’s Computer Forensics
Our team of computer forensics investigators and experts has over 100 years of experience conducting criminal and civil investigations involving technology. Our methods and tools are thoroughly tested before being applied to yield a comprehensible identification and presentation of data to you or any other party involved in each case, such as law enforcement, judge, or jury.
FAQ
Is computer forensics and digital forensics the same?
How much do computer forensic investigations typically cost?
What does a computer forensic specialist do?
Theft of Intellectual Property- IP Theft Forensics
Intellectual property is a term associated with any type of information, e.g., financial, trade secrets, internal policies, pricing/marketing materials, client lists, confidential product patents, etc. In short, this is the information that gives a business its competitive advantage. Multiple assessments by esteemed organizations, including the Wall Street Journal, place most companies Intellectual Property at 70% of its overall value. Naturally, this information is of critical importance and needs to be protected at all times; if a competitor is able to gain access to this sensitive information, the consequences could be immensely damaging. IP/Trade Secret theft is common when employees leave a business to work for a rival company or start their own competing business.
Recover from Intellectual Property/Trade Secret Theft
Our LCG team of multi-disciplinary computer forensic experts is often assigned tasks relevant to IP/Trade Secret theft by companies who have found themselves in this impossible position. LCG has developed efficient techniques to quickly identify if a current or former employee has taken or has attempted to take your most valuable assets Our skilled analysts can assist you with cases of suspected intellectual property theft, contract breaches/disputes, internal investigations, employment disputes, etc.. We take pride in working within a strict time frame to meet our client’s requirements at all times by carrying out efficient, cost effective and targeted forensic analyses to find the answers to the questions you have.
Examples of Intellectual Property Theft and Trade Secret Misappropriation
Generally, IP/Trade Secret theft tends to be underreported with the exception of mandated reporting situations that are made public such as when there has been a loss of sensitive medical or financial information. Unfortunately, as LCG has learned over the past 15 years, theft of intellectual property is much more common than most companies believe.. Whether the result of a disgruntled former employee intentionally stealing your intellectual property/trade secrets or the result of improper handling that leads to a lost drive or laptop, loss of data is occurring at a staggering rate. The following examples can provide a clearer picture of what IP theft can look like:
- REmployees leaving for another company and taking intellectual property or trade secrets to give themselves an advantage with a new employer.
- RInsiders transporting or mishandling company data via USB flash drives, company email, cloud storage or other devices.
- RBreaches of company networks resulting in the loss of company information
IP Theft Prevention Best Practices
IP theft can lead a company to disaster however, there are steps you can take to prevent IP theft:
- RIdentify your most valuable electronic data, where it is stored, and who has access
- RConduct frequent reviews of your internal computers, systems and networks to identify any gaps or malfunctions that could result in allowing someone inadvertent access/ability to remove data
- RDevelop and deploy strong technology resource policies that clearly outline what employees can and cannot do (e.g. BYOD, use of personal email, use of the Internet, etc.).
- RMonitor employee activity and ensure that all users work securely within your company’s network.
- REducate all personnel in basic areas of cybersecurity (e.g. Phishing) and use of computer systems (e.g. proper use and control of storage devices) to prevent inadvertent IP leaks.
FAQ
What is an IP Theft/Trade Secret Misappropriation Investigation?
What constitutes intellectual property infringement?
How do you monitor intellectual property infringement?
When dealing with intellectual property assets, you can do the following to monitor and protect your sensitive electronic data:
- Ensure you have effective, enforceable and acknowledged company policies, guidelines and/or handbooks as it relates to the use of technology resources. What is and is not allowed and setting the appropriate privacy expectations.
- Inform those accessing your technology resources/network that all activities will be monitored and recorded.
- Invest in both information technology and cybersecurity support to protect your technology infrastructure.
- Understand what your critical intellectual property is, where it is located, how it can be accessed and by who.
Be cognizant of disgruntled employees and develop systems for data preservation and analysis if/when employees who have access to your IP depart under questionable circumstances. LCG’s experts have a long history of building solid Corporate Policies and Procedures that cover each of these steps and much more.
Departing Employees
Protect Trade Secrets and Confidential Information from Departing Employees
Most LCG business and referrals have revolved around employee/internal data theft in the past decade. This has increased in the post-covid era, where the modern workforce is more mobile than ever before, but in their actual employment as remote employees and the frequency with which individuals are changing employers/careers. The transient nature of today’s employment has morphed into an environment where departing employees are increasingly likely to leave with some company secrets in their possession, either intentionally or unintentionally. In either scenario, your most valuable asset could be walking out the door and outside your control span. This current fact of business has led companies to think about how best to protect their assets from such mobility.
Step 1- Define Trade Secrets and Confidential Information
Trade secrets are are perhaps a the most vital part of any company’s success.
“Trade secret” is defined under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act as: “Information, including but not limited to, technical or non-technical data, a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, drawing, process, financial data, or list of actual or potential customers or suppliers, that:
- is sufficiently secret to derive economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
- is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy or confidentiality.”
Confidential Information is typically identified through contracts and/or agreements. These may include employment agreements, professional services agreements, non-disclosure agreements, etc. These binding documents define the scope of what is protectable as well as the consequences of misuse of the information. Confidential information is typically information that is not generally known to the public, however, companies have a responsibility to define what it believes to be both trade secrets and confidential information.
Step 2- Document Restrictions on Access to, Use, and Dissemination of Trade Secrets and Confidential Information
Having detailed and thought-out policies for such sensitive digital data also means documenting who accesses what. Simply knowing that an employee can enter your database generally is not the way to prevent theft and leak of sensitive information.
FAQ
What employee information is considered confidential?
How long after the employment has ended is the employee required to keep the information confidential?
Can employees disclose confidential information?
LCG’s experts have a long history of building solid Corporate Policies and Procedures that will help protect your Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets.
Corporate Investigations: We Investigate Theft, Embezzlement, Competitors, and More
Content Evidence/ Process Auditing
LCG’s team has engaged in extensive physical and digital evidence collection for civil matters in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
This civil experience, combined with our decades of criminal evidence collection, has led to procedures and methods designed with the most stringent chain of custody methodology, documentation, and tracking, which is universally defensible in court.
Evidence in Action
Our investigators use tried and true, court-tested evidence collection methodologies in the defensible gathering of physical and digital evidence. Further, our experts utilize state-of-the-art technology for forensic imaging, processing, and analysis of digital evidence.
LCG utilizes multiple secure locations to store all evidentiary items and deploys physical and electronic security to protect the confidential information entrusted to us.
Types of Evidence
In LCG, our computer forensics technicians can work with any storage device, so you do not need to worry if you are locked out of your personal computer and accounts by hackers. Some devices include personal computers, laptop computers, cloud acquisitions, server shares, physical evidence, thumb drives, cell phones and tablets, external storage devices, NAS devices, hard drives (HDD & SSD), voter records, and voter documents.
FAQ
What are the six methods of investigation?
What is the first step of any digital investigation?
What is a corporate compliance investigation?
Corporate Investigation Services
Background Investigations
Competitive Intelligence
Due Diligence
White Collar Crimes
Insurance Fraud Crimes
Employment Screening
Corporate Ransomware Investigations
Mobile Forensics
Mobile Device Forensics Services
Smartphones are becoming more and more powerful, capable of doing tasks that would have required an entire computer just a few years ago. Developers ignore cross-platform development for phones entirely because they only develop apps specifically tailored toward mobile devices, which means you need to use your phone exclusively while at work or when it isn’t constantly attached wirelessly via BlueTooth.
Our team of forensic analysts experts is certified and highly experienced in mobile device forensics. They possess the technology and access to state-of-the-art forensic hardware & software that can provide comprehensive consultation for your case, so you get a better outcome than expected.
Cell Phone Forensics Experts
In digital forensics Houston, our team of computer forensics analysts uses high-end tools to examine and recover electronic evidence that law enforcement agencies or the court may require. Further, they can determine whether you have been the victim of data theft or other types of policy and/or contract breaches and violations. A great part of their forensic investigation also focuses on identifying any imagery/visual material stolen from your cell phone that may be later used for illegal purposes such as extortion. Among others, a frequent request regards data recovery from stolen or lost phones via cloud computing and digital forensics.
FAQ
What types of evidence can be extracted from a mobile device?
How long does it take to do forensics on a phone?
How much does cell phone forensics cost?
Mobile device Forensic Examination Process
By mobile device, we refer to a wide range of gadgets such as cell phones, smartphones, and tablets, all the way to wearables and GPS units. They all contain sensitive user information and other electronic data we would never want to be known or stolen.
In digital forensics Houston, a great part of our computer forensics specialists is to deal with mobile forensics. Our computer forensic analysts aim to recover digital evidence or any electronic data from a mobile device by following these steps:
- RObtain and examine a device and preserve it in a workable condition
- RCollect and preserve data, either from the device or via cloud applications
- RConduct forensic examination and analysis
Choose LCG Discovery Experts
Your Data Matters
LCG computer and digital forensics company provide honest advice, excellent customer service, and winning solutions based on experience.