Why endpoint forensics is essential for business security

What is endpoint forensics?

Endpoint forensics is the process of collecting, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence from endpoints—devices like laptops, mobile phones, internet of things (IoT) devices—connected to your organization’s network. This evidence can then be used to investigate security incidents, identify the root cause, and take steps to remediate the issue and prevent future attacks.

In today’s digital landscape, cyber threats are ever evolving, making cybersecurity measures a non-negotiable for businesses of all sizes. However, even the most comprehensive defenses can be breached, either through unpatched exploits, or by an insider who inadvertently causes one.

Unfortunately, too many organizations believe they have endpoint forensics down to a T with EDR (endpoint detection & response) systems. In IT and business, the word “forensics” conjures up thoughts of crime labs, courts, and perhaps even prime time investigation shows.

In many organizations, IT forensics is an established practice, dealing with areas such as network packet analysis, link-layer traffic recording, log management, and even physical memory extraction on traditional servers. Often, these data sources are the key to deeply understanding a significant security incident, and a deeper insight from the system itself is required. EDR platforms in conjunction with digital forensics investigative tools can work hand in hand, providing the root cause analysis that is essential for organizations to rely on when a security incident takes places. You can learn more on how EDR tools and DFIR tools work together here.

That’s where endpoint forensics comes in. It can be a critical tool for incident response that can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a full-blown company crisis.

Why is endpoint forensics important?

There are several reasons why endpoint forensics is crucial for businesses:

• Faster and more effective incident response: By providing a clear picture of what happened on a compromised device, endpoint forensics allows organizations to isolate the threat, minimize damage, and get systems back online quickly, providing peace of mind that the organization is protected moving forward.
• Improved threat detection: Endpoint forensics can uncover not only known malware but also zero-day threats and insider activity. This allows DFIR, SOC, and IT teams to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Enhanced legal compliance: In the event of a data breach, endpoint forensics can help organizations meet legal requirements for data preservation and demonstrate that necessary steps to investigate the incident were completed.
• Improved decision making: The insights gleaned from endpoint forensics can inform the organization’s security strategy, helping allocate resources more effectively and prioritize future investments in cybersecurity.

Incorporating endpoint forensics into the organization’s incident response plan

Here are some key steps to take to ensure endpoint forensics are a seamless part of an incident response plan:

1. Develop a clear endpoint forensics policy: This policy should outline procedures for data collection, handling, and chain of custody to ensure its admissibility in legal proceedings.
2. Invest in endpoint forensics tools: One such leading provider is Magnet Forensics, a company specializing in digital forensics and incident response solutions. Magnet’s flagship product, Magnet Axiom Cyber, is a powerful platform designed for corporate investigations. Axiom Cyber offers features like remote acquisition of evidence from various devices, including cloud storage and Windows, Linux, and Mac computers, timeline analysis to reconstruct the sequence of events, and advanced malware detection capabilities with enhancements from Comae and the ability to reference files with VirusTotal.

Magnet Forensics also offers Magnet Nexus, a cloud-based solution, easily able to link to all your organization’s remote endpoints, and the center point for your forensic investigation workflow—from acquisition to processing and analysis.

Nexus empowers organizations to:

• Perform sweeps of remote Windows & Linux* endpoints to detect IOCs, data exfiltration, or find sensitive documents and communications. (*MacOS support coming soon.)
• Save time and protect employee privacy with targeted collections.
• Forensically acquire and analyze network activity, file logs, live system artifacts, and more.
• Utilize advanced memory analysis capabilities, such as collecting RAM dumps, active connections and users, network shares, services, and more.
• Apply YARA rules, keyword searches, and time filters to zero in rapidly on relevant evidence.

For mobile device forensics specifically, Magnet Forensics offers Magnet Verakey. This tool enables authorized examiners to acquire vast amounts of data from mobile devices with user consent, this includes a full file system data set. Magnet Verakey supports a wide range of mobile platforms and provides in-depth extraction of app data, call logs, text messages, and other critical evidence.

• Conduct regular testing: Regularly test your incident response plan, including your endpoint forensics procedures, to identify any gaps and ensure everyone involved knows their roles and responsibilities.

By following these steps and making endpoint forensics a cornerstone of your organization’s cybersecurity strategy, you can be better prepared to investigate and respond to security incidents, minimizing damage and protecting your valuable data and intellectual property.

Remember, endpoint forensics is not a reactive measure—it’s a proactive investment in the security of the business, and with the right tools and training in place, you can ensure a swift and effective response to any cyber threat.