Forensic data recovery can be pivotal to a case if retrieved data can be used as evidence. However, recovering data can often require a combination of advanced software and specialised training.
With various data types, hardware and data loss scenarios, choosing the best solution for your forensic data recovery needs can be challenging.
So how do you determine the best forensic data recovery software for your situation? This blog explores what forensic data recovery is before outlining steps you can follow to decide on the best solution for you.
Exploring forensic data recovery
Legal professionals use forensic data collection to extract data from places like email inboxes, hard drives and the cloud in a legally defensible way, but what happens if the locations your data is stored in have been corrupted or damaged? In this case, we use forensic data recovery to recover data from damaged or corrupted hardware to use as evidence in legal proceedings.
For the extracted data to be eligible for a court of law, it mustn’t have been tampered with or corrupted and should’ve maintained its authenticity and integrity. To extract data successfully, close attention to detail is required.
Forensic data recovery can be technical and requires specialised knowledge and experience. That’s why legal professionals need access to the best forensic data recovery software.
Having the right software can make all the difference in a successful recovery operation. Several types of forensic data recovery software are available on the market, each with unique benefits and features.
So, how do you choose?
On the surface, forensic data recovery software can all look similar. Their main purpose is to recover lost or deleted files, so they all appear to perform the same function at first glance. However, data-loss scenarios have specific requirements, which can influence the right tool for the job.
For example, if you’re looking to recover deleted files from a USB stick, simple data recovery software will likely perform to the same standard of recovery as an advanced solution. However, if you’re working with uncommon data formats or encrypted devices, you’ll probably need more functionality than a standard data recovery solution can offer.
When recovering data professionally, an advanced solution is likely required. Dealing with complicated recovery jobs often needs modified parameters and advanced instruments.
Some tools are aimed at processing devices with hardware problems to achieve success in challenging scenarios. These tools are extremely useful for specialists working on forensic data recovery, but proper training is necessary — a lack of appropriate skills may aggravate the severity of data loss.
What to consider
You can analyse a few categories to determine which level of software you require.
- The type of storage device that has suffered data loss. Simple devices like hard disk drives and USB sticks can typically be processed with most data recovery solutions. However, if the hardware has encryption technology, you may need a more advanced tool.
- The type of files you need to recover. Multifunctional data recovery tools can often retrieve most file types using metadata, removing the need for a separate application for each. In cases of serious data corruption, specialised tools can provide far greater results than your standard utility.
- The file system your files belong to. The file system selected by the user or the operating system (OS) plays a vital role in data recovery. Your programme of choice must work with the applied format. For example, appliances such as CCTV units and some driving cameras often require tailored solutions.
- The operating system you’ll be using to recover the files. It might sound simple, but a crucial step to check is that your chosen application can be installed under the right OS.
Elevate your data handling with Altlaw and RelativityOne
RelativityOne is a cloud-based eDiscovery platform that assists with legal teams’ case management processes.
Advanced search capabilities give legal teams access to deeply buried evidence inside recovered files, and collaboration features allow for a secure sharing of information between team members while preserving chain of custody rules.
Its advanced analytics tools, like predictive coding and concept clustering, allow legal teams to narrow down search results and find relevant information hidden inside large datasets quickly.
When choosing the best forensic data recovery software for your team’s needs, carefully consider your options.
With the help of Altlaw, you can truly make the most of RelativityOne. In the hands of an Altlaw expert, you can elevate how your team handles data.
If you want to take your data further, saving time and money, visit our RelativityOne page to learn how Altlaw uses the platform to support your business.
