Digital evidence and security
Chicago Computer Forensics
Technical evidence and security testing for Chicago business disputes, distributed operations and counsel-led matters.
Start with the question the evidence needs to answer
A Chicago commercial matter can involve headquarters staff, a remote workforce and records from facilities elsewhere. Begin with the events in dispute rather than collecting everything from every system. GDF connects the relevant endpoint, account and application records to a defined examination question.
For counsel, the work product may be a supported timeline, an explanation of a disputed artifact or an expert opinion within an agreed scope. For a security team, it may be a validated attack path and a retest plan. Each requires a documented method, but the engagement and deliverables are not interchangeable.
Evidence priorities in Chicagoland
World Business Chicago identifies manufacturing, transportation and logistics, fintech, and life sciences and healthcare as focus sectors. That mix makes it important to distinguish enterprise evidence from operational-system data and to identify which organization controls each record.
Scope the work to the matter
Employee departures and shared systems
Correlate issued computers, removable-device artifacts, cloud sharing, email and repository access around the relevant dates. A copied file or account login needs context before it supports a conclusion about use or disclosure. Preserve the source record and document gaps rather than treating missing logs as proof that nothing happened.
Manufacturing and logistics evidence
Operational events can span workstations, warehouse systems, remote-support sessions and control networks. Record time sources and system ownership before comparing timestamps. For an assessment, agree how proposed checks could affect production, what monitoring is available and who has authority to stop the work.
Commercial litigation and expert review
An expert examination should distinguish what an artifact shows from the interpretation placed on it. Identify the source, acquisition method, relevant software versions and alternative explanations. GDF can prepare the technical record for counsel; the court decides admissibility and counsel handles the legal strategy.
Services available through GDF
Use the technical service pages for methods, evidence sources and deliverables.
- Computer and hard drive forensics
- Mobile device forensics
- Email and cloud evidence
- Expert witness support
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability assessments
- Application penetration testing
- Incident response
- eDiscovery collections
- Departing employee analysis
- Evidence-aware data recovery
- OT and SCADA security
- AI security consulting
Arrange an evidence or security consultation
For a Chicagoland engagement, list the custodians and facilities relevant to the event, the systems they use and any external administrators. Include deadlines that affect preservation or testimony. Agree on the evidence transfer method and authorized scope before sending confidential material.
Frequently asked
Questions about Chicago engagements
Can you separate business records from unrelated employee data?
The collection plan can limit custodians, sources, dates and categories where the source permits it. The examiner documents the scope and any limitations so a narrower collection is not mistaken for a complete device image.
Does a vulnerability scan replace a penetration test?
No. A scan identifies potential weaknesses; an authorized penetration test evaluates specified attack paths and impact within agreed limits. Reports should separate scanner findings, confirmed behavior and issues that were not tested.
Before collecting evidence
For an active incident, call 1-800-868-8189.
Talk with an examiner
Discuss the matter and the next step.
Call to discuss timing, scope and the safest way to share information. Do not send evidence or credentials by email.
24/7 hotline: 1-800-868-8189