Project Part 10: Evidence Collection Policy Scenario After

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Develop a high-level policy that addresses the collection and handling of evidence during cybersecurity investigations to ensure validity and admissibility in court. The policy should specify the type of information required for evidence items, documentation procedures, measures to preserve evidence integrity both initially and over ongoing periods, controls for maintaining evidence in storage, and documentation to demonstrate evidence integrity.

Paper For Above instruction

In an era where digital evidence plays a crucial role in cybersecurity investigations, establishing a robust evidence collection and handling policy is indispensable for organizations aiming to respond effectively to security incidents while ensuring legal admissibility. This paper delineates a comprehensive high-level policy framework for evidence management, emphasizing critical components such as evidence documentation, preservation, integrity, storage controls, and validation to court standards, tailored for organizations like Always Fresh following a security breach.

Introduction

The breach experienced by Always Fresh underscores the importance of a systematic approach to evidence collection and handling. A formal policy provides a strategic foundation to safeguard evidence integrity, facilitate legal admissibility, and uphold investigative efficacy. This policy acts as a high-level guide, focusing on necessary actions without delving into procedural minutiae.

Identification and Documentation of Evidence Items

Critical to the policy is a clear definition of the information required for each item of evidence. This includes comprehensive descriptors such as the asset or data source, timestamps, and contextual details. Alongside physical or digital items, detailed documentation must record personnel involved in the collection process, environmental conditions during collection, and the circumstances under which evidence was obtained.

Moreover, each evidence item must be accompanied by a detailed chain-of-custody record, capturing every transfer, handling, or access to maintain traceability. This documentation should also include unique identifiers, storage location, and status updates to safeguard against tampering or loss.

Measures to Preserve Evidence Integrity

Preservation of initial evidence state is paramount. To achieve this, the policy mandates the use of verified tools such as write blockers when collecting digital evidence to prevent alteration. Digital evidence must be captured via forensic imaging techniques that create bit-for-bit copies, ensuring the original remains unaltered. Physical evidence, such as hardware devices, should be stored in controlled environments with restricted access to prevent tampering or deterioration.

Once evidence is secured, measures to maintain ongoing integrity include regular audits and the employment of cryptographic hash functions (e.g., SHA-256) to verify the authenticity of evidence over time. This ensures that any subsequent examination or transfer does not compromise the original data's fidelity.

Storage and Control of Evidence

Secure storage is crucial to maintaining integrity. Evidence must be stored in access-controlled environments, such as safes or secured server rooms, equipped with environmental controls to prevent physical damage. Access logs reflecting personnel entries and exits should be maintained meticulously. Digital evidence should be stored on encrypted drives, with backups kept in separate secure locations.

Controlling access involves establishing strict permissions based on roles, employing multi-factor authentication, and maintaining detailed access logs. Regular audits or inventory checks help detect unauthorized access or discrepancies in evidence storage.

Demonstrating Evidence Integrity

To demonstrate that evidence remains unaltered, organizations must generate and retain cryptographic hash values at the point of collection and during storage. These hashes serve as verification tools during the investigation and court proceedings, validated through digital signatures or certificates. The policy should also define procedures for documentation audits and evidence reconciliation to ensure compliance and transparency.

Legal Considerations and Admissibility

The policy emphasizes adherence to legal standards for evidence admissibility, including proper chain-of-custody procedures and secure handling practices aligned with jurisdictional requirements. It advocates for meticulous record-keeping, timely documentation, and validation processes to ensure that collected evidence meets requirements for court presentation.

Conclusion

This high-level evidence collection and handling policy provides a strategic blueprint for organizations like Always Fresh to respond to cybersecurity incidents effectively. By prioritizing proper identification, preservation, storage, and documentation, and by embedding measures for ongoing integrity verification, the policy aims to uphold the evidentiary value essential for legal proceedings while supporting robust incident response efforts.

References

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• National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC). (2017). Evidence Handling Guidelines. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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• U.S. Department of Justice. (2019). Principles of Evidence Handling. Federal Rules of Evidence.
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