Category: Featured news

Tool proliferation in DFIR: Why our toolkits keep growing (and what that really means)

By

There’s a moment that shows up in almost every investigation; the quiet realization that you’re about to reach for one more tool. Not because you want to. Not because the tools you already have failed. But because the evidence in front of you doesn’t quite fit the workflows you’re holding. Maybe it’s a cloud artifact that didn’t exist the last time you worked a similar case. Maybe mobile data has crept into what used to be a clean-cut investigation. Maybe the logs exist, but only if you know exactly where and how to extract them.

We’re holding AI to a standard to which we’ve never held humans

By

Digital forensic investigators face extreme pressure to deliver accurate results. The stakes in the field are especially high; an error could mean overlooking potential suspects or missing exculpatory evidence . That’s why the use of artificial intelligence in the field isn’t without controversy. Broader societal concerns around the “hallucinations” and inconsistent results produced by generative AI have raised questions about the use of AI in digital forensic investigations.

Shrinking the digital evidence haystack

By

The proliferation of digital data and connected devices has had a profound impact on forensic investigations, straining laboratory resources, pressuring budget-conscious jurisdictions to spend more on technology, and worsening evidence backlogs.

Why human validation matters—and why fear doesn’t help 

By

There appears to be a growing tension in digital forensics around artificial intelligence. On one side are people excited by what AI can already do—surface patterns at scale, accelerate triage, highlight anomalies no human would realistically find. On the other side are voices urging extreme caution or outright prohibition, often framed as a need to “protect the human element.”

Announcing the winners of the 2026 Magnet Virtual Summit CTF

By

Hi, all! This is Jessica Hyde and I am so excited to share the winners from the Magnet Virtual Summit 2026 CTF, as well as images, the challenges, and the questions! The Magnet Virtual Summit 2026 CTF was another exciting competition. We had over 3,950 people register for the CTF and 1,041 folks solved at least one question —record breaking participation!

Mobile anti forensics and the impact on evidence recovery

By

This research explores a selection of anti-forensic mobile apps on Android and iOS using Magnet Axiom: Snapchat’s My Eyes Only, Samsung Secure Folder, SpoofCard, and Wasted (an Android panic-wipe app). Each application was installed on controlled test devices on both Android and iOS, populated with realistic data (photos, videos, calls, and messages), imaged, deleted, and imaged again. Analysis focused on the recoverability of stored artifacts, the effectiveness of built-in security or wipe mechanisms, and the potential countermeasures available to investigators.

State of Enterprise DFIR Report: The top trends shaping digital investigations in 2026 

By

This year’s State of Enterprise DFIR Report is here! Based on a survey of over 360 private sector digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) professionals, the 2026 State of Enterprise DFIR report from Magnet Forensics offers insight into the latest challenges facing enterprise investigation teams and forensic service providers—and serves as a valuable planning tool for the year ahead.

Proving what’s real in a synthetic world

By

I was at a conference a couple of weeks ago, and one thing became impossible to ignore. Five or six presentations, different speakers, different research, all orbiting the same core problem: deepfakes, synthetic media, and altered images.

Same challenge, different context: Why incident response and eDiscovery need automation

By

Lately, I’ve been hearing a recurring theme: the volume of both data and investigations are straining teams in ways remote collection previously did. What’s interesting is that I’m hearing this equally from incident response teams and eDiscovery groups. Two functions with very different goals, but who are facing what is, effectively, the same storm and the same fatigue.