Step-by-Step: How a Computer Forensics Company Conducts an Analysis

Step 1: Intake and Case Evaluation
No two investigations are alike. Before any evidence is touched, the forensics team starts with a conversation. This intake phase is where everything begins. It’s not about jumping to conclusions; it’s about listening.In our case, the CEO described unauthorized access and suspicious file behavior. The IT manager mentioned encrypted folders. There were whispers of an internal leak. But that’s all it was, Talk.

The forensics team had to build a hypothesis and develop a scope of work. They asked specific questions:

• When was the first unusual activity detected?

• What systems or data sets may have been affected?

• Are there any legal or regulatory constraints?

• Who had access to the compromised devices?

This early questioning narrows the field. It ensures the investigation doesn’t waste time on irrelevant leads. And it starts the all-important documentation process that will continue throughout the entire analysis
Step 2: Preservation of Evidence
Before anything is analyzed, evidence must be preserved. In the digital world, even opening a file can alter timestamps and metadata. That’s why this step is so critical.
The team arrived on site with write-blockers, portable imaging equipment, and chain-of-custody documentation. They powered down the affected systems carefully,no hard reboots, no keystrokes, no logins. Every move was photographed, timestamped, and signed off.
For each suspect device, they created a forensic image, a perfect bit-for-bit replica of the original drive. These images would serve as the working copies for analysis. The originals? Sealed, labeled, and stored under lock and key. 
This step isn’t just about integrity. It’s about legal defensibility. Should the case ever go to court, the company would need to prove that no evidence was altered or tampered with. Chain of custody and imaging logs are the pillars of that proof.

Step 3: Initial Triage and Timeline Construction

With clean forensic images in hand, the team began the initial triage. This isn’t deep analysis just yet,it’s about mapping out the digital landscape.

They looked at system logs, user activity, and file access records. Who logged in, from where, and when? Were there failed logins? Sudden permission changes? The clues were often subtle: a file renamed, a new user account created silently, a USB device mounted at an odd hour.

In the case of the real estate firm, the breakthrough came from firewall logs. A user account had connected to an external IP address known to be linked to ransomware distribution. The timeline was forming.

Computer forensics is part science, part storytelling. You reconstruct events second by second, drawing connections between human behavior and system responses. And the clearer the timeline, the easier it becomes to isolate the threat.

Step 4: Deep-Dive Analysis

Now the investigation shifted into high gear. The forensics team analyzed the image copies using industry-standard tools like EnCase, FTK, and X-Ways. They weren’t just looking for surface-level activity. They were mining unallocated disk space, searching deleted files, and parsing through system registries.

The goals of this phase were clear:

• Determine how the breach occurred.
  

• Discover what data was accessed, exfiltrated, or altered.
  

• Identify the attacker’s methods and movements.
  

They found signs of credential dumping, an attacker extracting password hashes using command-line tools. They also uncovered artifacts left by a known remote access trojan. Deleted files revealed a hidden folder full of client contracts, compressed and encrypted, ready for extraction.

One of the investigators remarked, “It’s like walking through a crime scene after the lights are turned on. Everything that seemed chaotic starts to make sense.”

This phase often takes days or even weeks. And it requires not just tools, but experience. Patterns that may look random to an untrained eye are clear markers to a seasoned forensics expert.

Step 5: Correlation with External Intelligence

A reputable computer forensics company doesn’t operate in a vacuum. While analyzing internal systems, they also correlate findings with external threat intelligence.

This might include:

• Checking malware hashes against known databases.
  

• Identifying IP addresses used in the attack and matching them to known threat actors.
  

• Cross-referencing methods used with current breach trends.
  

In this case, the remote access trojan found on the company’s network matched a known variant used by a criminal group active in Southeast Asia. The same group had been linked to three other corporate ransomware attacks that year. This external validation added credibility, and urgency to the investigation.

It also helped the team recommend specific containment strategies. They knew how the attackers moved, what they targeted, and what to expect next.

Step 6: Containment and Remediation Guidance

Forensics teams aren’t just passive observers. Once the analysis confirms an active threat, they help the client contain it.

That doesn’t mean randomly unplugging servers. Containment must be surgical. Attackers often monitor systems for signs of detection. A rushed response can trigger “kill switches” or data wiping protocols.

The forensics company advised the client to:

• Isolate compromised devices from the network.
  

• Revoke credentials associated with the breach.
  

• Install endpoint detection tools with real-time alerts.
  

They also created YARA rules, custom detection signatures to identify remnants of the attacker’s code on other systems.

This phase is a collaboration between the forensics team, IT staff, and in some cases, outside security vendors. Everyone has a role. The goal is simple: stop the bleeding without triggering more damage.

Step 7: Reporting and Documentation

Once the threat was neutralized and the analysis complete, the most important work began, reporting.

A forensics report isn’t just a technical summary. It’s a legal document. It may be submitted to insurance providers, regulators, and courts. It may form the foundation of a civil lawsuit or criminal prosecution.

That’s why top-tier reports are clear, precise, and backed by evidence. They include:

• An executive summary with non-technical language.
  

• A detailed timeline of the incident.
  

• Specific indicators of compromise (IOCs).
  

• A description of attacker methods and tools.
  

• A list of systems impacted and data types involved.
  

• A section on containment measures and future recommendations.
  

Every claim is backed by logs, screenshots, and file hashes. There’s no room for guesswork.

The client now had a clear picture: how the attacker got in, what they touched, and what it meant. But they also had something more. defensibility. Should regulators ask, the company could prove they responded quickly, hired professionals, and acted in good faith.

Step 8: Regulatory Reporting Support

In many cases, the forensics company doesn’t just hand over the report they help navigate the regulatory landscape.

Depending on the industry and jurisdiction, companies may need to report breaches within days—or hours. A single misstep can result in massive penalties.

The team worked with the company’s legal counsel to prepare:

• A GDPR-compliant incident disclosure.
  

• A HIPAA impact assessment (due to customer data exposure).
  

• A breach notification to the California Attorney General’s office.
  

• Email templates for notifying affected customers.
  

This wasn’t just about legal boxes. It was about preserving trust. How a company communicates during a crisis can make or break its reputation.

Thanks to the forensics team's support, the breach notifications were clear, honest, and timely. The response even amid a crisis, was measured and professional.

Step 9: Long-Term Security Recommendations

With the incident behind them, the company wasn’t left alone. The forensics team provided actionable insights for the future.

Their recommendations included:

• Multi-factor authentication across all systems.
  

• Security awareness training focused on phishing.
  

• A tighter password policy with automatic expiration.
  

• Regular vulnerability scans and patching schedules.
  

• A formal incident response plan, tested quarterly.
  

They also helped identify potential insurance coverage gaps and reviewed third-party vendor access policies.

While the company had suffered a breach, they emerged stronger. Because now, they didn’t just have technology, they had a roadmap for resilience

What Makes a Good Forensics Company?

When choosing a computer forensics company, consider these must-haves:

• Proven experience with similar cases.
  

• Industry certifications (e.g., CFCE, EnCE, GCFA).
  

• Strong documentation and chain of custody protocols.
  

• The ability to explain findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
  

• Willingness to collaborate with legal, IT, and executive teams.
  

Mistakes to Avoid in Forensics Cases

Avoid these common pitfalls that weaken forensic investigations:

• Powering on suspect devices without preservation.
  

• Allowing internal IT to “clean up” before the investigation.
  

• Relying on antivirus tools as your only response.
  

• Failing to document system changes during the response.
  

• Ignoring regulatory reporting deadlines.