Digital Forensics for Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Investigations
Maryman & Associates supports organizations, legal teams, and IT professionals with digital forensics expertise for advanced persistent threat (APT) investigations and other complex cyber incidents. We collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence to help establish what happened, which systems and accounts were affected, and what the available evidence shows about unauthorized activity.
Investigating Cyber Intrusions and Data Breaches
Our digital forensics and incident response services support matters involving ransomware, unauthorized access, and data breaches. We examine the sequence of events and the vulnerabilities that may have allowed an incident to occur, then provide findings and recommendations to support remediation.
Organizations also turn to us for help preserving digital evidence, reconstructing events, and authenticating electronic records for compliance and litigation matters. The scope of our work is tailored to the available evidence and the needs of the matter, from a single compromised device to a multi-stage network intrusion.
Finding and Preserving Relevant Digital Evidence
Our digital device forensics services help recover and analyze deleted files, examine unauthorized access, and preserve relevant digital evidence. We document our collection and analysis methods so that clients and their legal teams can understand the basis and limitations of our findings.
For website intrusions, we examine potential entry points, assess the available evidence of compromise, and recommend steps to address identified weaknesses. Our website breach and hack investigation services help organizations understand the technical facts and plan their response.
Our Digital Forensics Process
1. Initial Assessment and Scope
We begin with a confidential consultation to identify key concerns, gather preliminary information, and establish objectives. We work with the appropriate contacts to define the systems, accounts, and digital evidence sources within the authorized scope of the engagement.
2. Evidence Collection and Preservation
We collect and preserve relevant digital artifacts using forensic methods designed to protect their integrity. The evidence available in each matter determines what can be examined and which questions can be answered.
3. Analysis and Technical Findings
Our team analyzes the collected data to identify relevant activity, timelines, and relationships between events. We evaluate findings in context and distinguish supported conclusions from questions that the available evidence cannot resolve.
4. Reporting and Recommendations
We provide reports that explain our methods, findings, and conclusions. Recommendations can help clients address identified risks, support incident response, and provide technical information for legal teams or law enforcement.
Confidentiality and Cybersecurity Readiness
Client confidentiality, authorized evidence collection, and objective analysis guide our work. We recognize that cyber incidents and legal matters can be sensitive and stressful, and we communicate the progress and limitations of our examination throughout the engagement.
Our work also supports preparedness. Findings from an incident can inform improvements to security practices and response planning. Organizations seeking to identify technical weaknesses before an incident can learn more about our penetration testing services.
FAQ
What does APT mean in a cybersecurity investigation?
APT stands for advanced persistent threat. An APT investigation examines a sustained cyber intrusion, including the evidence of how access was obtained, how activity developed, and which systems or data may have been affected.
How does digital forensics support a cyber investigation?
Digital forensics provides a structured approach to collecting, preserving, and analyzing relevant device, account, and network data. The findings can help reconstruct events and support decisions by incident response teams, legal counsel, and other authorized stakeholders.
What can clients expect from a digital forensic examination?
Clients can expect an agreed scope, documented analysis, and a clear explanation of the findings and their limitations. The conclusions depend on the evidence that is available and can be reliably examined.
Discuss Your Digital Forensics Needs
Contact Maryman & Associates to discuss digital forensics support for an APT investigation, network breach, or related cyber matter.