A checklist for building a private-sector digital forensics lab
Your organization is coming across more advanced digital investigations than ever, and the time has come to either launch your own digital forensics lab or level up your existing one.
But where do you start?
This guide will give you a quick checklist to help ensure your foundation is strong and future ready.
Digital forensics in the private sector demands more than just cutting-edge software and high-performance hardware. It requires skilled professionals who can navigate complex investigations with precision and insight. Find out how you can get started.
Scope and budget
Start by defining your lab’s scope.
What types of incidents do you typically respond to? Internal threats, data breaches, IP theft, eDiscovery, or compliance violations? What devices and data sources are most common in your environment?
Understanding your operational landscape helps you prioritize investments and prepare for unexpected challenges.
No matter what size your team is, you have to be ready to jump into action when an incident occurs.
Tools like Magnet Axiom Cyber offer remote acquisition and analysis capabilities that are essential for responding to threats across distributed environments. Magnet Verakey extracts your mobile devices rapidly and securely. Busy teams of all sizes may benefit from automation and remote review platforms.
Physical space, policies, and procedures
Your lab needs a secure, dedicated space, both physically and digitally. Establish clear policies for evidence handling, access control, and chain of custody. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) should reflect best practices in private-sector investigations, including regulatory compliance and data privacy.
Model SOPs from groups such as SWGDE can be tailored to your organization, but ensure your legal team is involved in the process.
Hardware and extraction capabilities
Your analysts need powerful machines to process and analyze data efficiently. Look for systems with modern CPUs, ample RAM, and multiple internal drives. Field-ready laptops can be invaluable for on-site incident response.
For mobile device extractions, Magnet Verakey offers robust support for iOS and Android, enabling access to deleted data, third-party app data, encrypted communications or other content, and credential stores. This is critical for internal investigations and breach analysis.
Software
Once data is acquired, analysis begins.
Magnet Axiom Cyber is a cornerstone for private-sector labs, offering remote acquisition, cloud artifact support, and powerful analytics tailored for incident response. Whether you’re investigating insider threats or external breaches, Axiom Cyber helps you uncover the truth quickly and thoroughly.
Tools like Portable Case , which includes Mobile View, make it easy to share findings with stakeholders, while Magnet Review enables secure, browser-based collaboration. For labs handling large volumes of multimedia, Magnet Griffeye streamlines image and video analysis, and Magnet Witness supports multi-source video investigations. Magnet Verify ensures media authenticity, which is essential for legal and compliance reporting.
Data storage and sharing
Digital investigations generate massive amounts of data. Whether you use local drives, NAS, or cloud storage, data integrity and security are paramount. Off-site backups and encrypted storage are non-negotiable.
Magnet One offers secure cloud-based storage and collaboration, ideal for geographically dispersed teams. Sharing results with legal, HR, or cybersecurity teams is seamless with Magnet Review, eliminating the need for physical drives and enabling real-time access.
Training
Your team’s expertise is your greatest asset. Invest in ongoing training to stay ahead of evolving threats and technologies. Magnet Forensics offers a comprehensive Training Annual Pass, covering tool-specific instruction and general digital forensics principles. Choose from in-person, live online, or self-paced formats to suit your team’s needs.
A helping hand from Magnet Forensics
Building a private-sector lab is a complex endeavor, but you don’t have to do it alone. Magnet Forensics is here to support you with expert guidance and tailored solutions. Contact us today to start building a lab that’s ready for anything.