The Digital Forensics Files Podcast
By Tyler Hatch, B.A., LL.B.
Hosted by Tyler Hatch, B.A., LL.B., CCFE CMFE, a former lawyer and the founder of DFI Forensics (https://dfiforensics.com), a Canadian digital forensics and incident response firm.
The Digital Forensics Files PodcastSep 16, 2019
Helping Victims Whose Intimate Images Have Been Posted Online
In growing numbers, victims are having intimate images posted online without their consent. Once without appropriate recourse, a new BC law seeks to provide much needed help to victims.
Daniel J. Reid, a defamation and privacy lawyer from Harper Grey LLP, joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics to discuss this topic and the new development in the law.
Digital Forensics and Criminal Defense Cases
Civil or criminal, all cases require a focused and open mind ready to find the important details that tell the true story. Digital forensics examiners use specialized skills, training and tools to locate and analyze key artifacts that reveal the truth. In this episode of The Digital Forensics Files Podcast, Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics discusses his overall and recent experiences assisting criminal defense lawyers. Listen in to gain insights into the world of digital forensics and how it can help in criminal cases. Don't miss out on this informative episode!
Cole Popkin, Digital Forensics Analyst
Cole Popkin, of Popkin Consultations, is an enthusiastic digital forensics analyst who graduated from Davenport University with a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Forensics. He has worked with the Michigan State Police and the US Department of Homeland Security.
Cole and Tyler Hatch, of DFI Forensics, discuss training, cases and the tools of the trade on this episode of the Digital Forensics Files Podcast.
How to Remove A Fake Google Review
Receiving a negative Google review is frustrating, but an opportunity to learn and do better - assuming it's real. When it's a fake negative review, the stakes are raised as the poster is motivated by an attempt to harm your reputation and injure your business. But, fortunately, there are ways to effectively deal with a fake negative Google review and we go through in this episode!
Case Study: Pornography Heard in a Teams Meeting????
Pandemic woes! A group of employees join a video call early when all of the sudden they hear the vivid sounds of pornography. The employees point the finger at the soon to be fired employee from whom the sounds appear to be emanating from. HR gets involved, interviews everyone and issues a termination letter. The fired employee hires a lawyer and DFI Forensics gets the call for an examination of the employee's computer and cell phone.
How Lawyers and Litigants Can Spot Fake Text Messages!
Having authentic, admissible and verifiable text message evidence is important to lawyers and litigants. How to you accomplish that goal and how do you avoid being duped by fake text message screenshots? In this episode, Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics discusses this issue and the methods used by unscrupulous litigants to produce convincing-looking but fake text message screenshots.
Stephen Cordon and Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Stephen Cordon and Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Stephen Cordon, Digital Forensics Expert and Automation Process Enthusiast Joins Tyler Hatch
Stephen Cordon (www.stephencordon.co.uk) is a Manager at Deloitte working with Forensic Technologies in Financial Advisory. Involved with eDiscovery business processes, development and implementation alongside traditional data forensics roles. Automation Discovery technical lead bringing together skills from Forensics, Automation (RPA), eDiscovery and traditional coding to deliver client focused improvements and services whilst also developing Solution Architect level roles.
Stephen also holds a role as a Non Executive Finance Director of a local charity, employing a number of staff and with a £200k per annum turnover.
He has previous experience in computer forensics employed as a Senior Computer Forensic Analyst at IntaForensics. Obtained First Class Honours Forensic Computing Graduate with five years experience working in computer forensics and e-discovery. Encase Certified Examiner (EnCE), Nuix Certified Examiner (NCE) and Certified Cyber Investigator (CCI).
Patrick Eller of Metadata Forensics Joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Patrick Eller is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the computer and network security industry. Skilled in Computer Forensics, Management, Digital Forensics, Criminal Investigations, and Leadership. He is a strong business development professional with a Master of Science - MS focused in Digital Forensics / Cyber Investigations from University of Maryland University College.
Patrick is rapidly emerging as one of North America's fastest rising stars in digital forensics. Listen to this episode to learn more about Patrick's background and professional passion!
Dave McKay, of Blackstone Foreniscs, Talks Video Forensics with Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Dave McKay is principal owner of Blackstone Forensics Ltd. He is also the program coordinator for the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) Forensic Science & Technology Program and instructor of BCIT’s CCTV & Forensic Examination course. During his time as a forensic video analyst with the RCMP, McKay viewed and analyzed over 2,000 crimes and criminals caught on various video and image recording systems (CCTV, video cameras, cell phones, taxi-cams, still cameras, and computers). He has been qualified multiple times as an expert witness in both BC Provincial and Supreme Court in the field of forensic video technology, specifically the forensic analysis of video and digital images.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser university in 2002, and his Advanced Specialty Certificate in Forensics from BCIT in 2004. He most recently completed the security systems technician training program at BCIT in 2008. He is a licensed security consultant and spends his free time building, programming, and developing both network and digital video recording systems for CCTV surveillance purposes. He is also involved in various research projects at BCIT, including the ability to extract specific measurements (height, size, distance, speed) from recorded images through the marriage of forensic imaging techniques and photogrammetric principals.
Jessica Hyde of Magnet Forensics Joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Jessica Hyde of Magnet Forensics joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics for this episode of The Digital Forensics Files Podcast!
Jessica is an experienced forensic examiner in both the commercial and government sectors. She is currently the Director of Forensics at Magnet Forensics and an Adjunct Professor teaching Mobile Forensics in the graduate program at George Mason University, where she achieved an MS in Computer Forensics. Jessica is the host of Cache Up, a weekly podcast where she interviews digital forensics practitioners. She is also involved in several community efforts including as Chair of DFIR Review, 1st Vice President of the New York Metro High Tech Crime International Association Chapter, advisory board for Cyber Sleuths Lab, and a member of the Editorial Board for the Forensic Science International: Digital Investigations Journal. Her previous roles included performing forensic examinations as a Sr. Mobile Exploitation Analyst for Basis Technology, Senior at EY, and Senior Electrical Engineer at American Systems. Jessica is also proud to be a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Connect with Jessica on social media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hydejessica
Twitter - https://twitter.com/b1n2h3x
DFIR Review - https://dfir.pubpub.org/
Former FBI Digital Forensics Trainer, Nelson Eby of Open Text Joins Tyler Hatch
0:28 Introduction to Nelson Eby.
2:30 The early days of "computer" forensics.
4:58 Nelson's evolution into teaching and training
9:24 Why are people in the field so passionate about digital forensics?
11:23 How much do we see when we look at personal devices?
12:50 "The lady doth protest too much, methinks"
13:09 Using digital forensics to find "the truth".
14:08 "Variety" in digital forensics cases.
14:36 Challenges the digital forensics field faces due to technology.
18:47 Cyber criminals hide behind IP addresses.
21:02 Online stalking/harassment and fake Google Reviews
22:20 How do I get into digital forensics? (**IMPORTANT)
26:54 Endorsing Nelson's training philosophy (Bravo good sir!)
27:45 Let's talk about Open Text, your role with them and EnCase Forensic!
30:40 Outro
Is Sanctioning Victims of Ransomware A Good Strategy? Lawyer Sarah Anderson Joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics to Discuss It
When the US Department of Treasury announced it's plans to sanction the victims of ransomware attacks who pay the ransom, industry professionals were surprised by the move. Largely seen as well-intentioned, but misguided, the move prompted Cybersecurity Lawyer, Sarah Anderson, of the law firm Alexander Sides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to write about it on her Cyber Law Blog. Find the article here.
Sarah joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics on this episode of the Digital Forensics Files Podcast to discuss this issue.
We're Talking About IT Service Providers With Jeff Detloff of Providence Consulting (Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics)
Jeff Detloff is the president of Providence Consulting, Lansing, Michigan's best IT service provider! Jeff's IT company, Providence Consulting was one of the founding coalition members of the Defeat The Breach Coalition. Be sure to join the movement to defeat the breach! Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics talks to Jeff about a number of great topics in this episode!
Can Employees Get Fired Over Social Media Posts?
Digital forensics and workplace issues cross paths all the time! Why? We discuss that in this episode.
More specifically, we talk about a recent case in which a high level board member was forced to resign following him simply liking a Twitter post. Check out this episode and enjoy.
Jeff Dettloff, Barb Holland and Theresa Kent of the Defeat The Breach Coalition Join Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Defeat The Breach (defeatthebreach.org) is a cybersecurity awareness coalition of partners from IT, legal and public relations specialists bringing awareness and solutions to one single place!
About Defeat the Breach: It is predicted that in a couple short years, cybercrime will cost the global economy trillions of dollars. In 2017 alone, cyberattack-related costs for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) equaled over $2.2 million each. Furthermore, over 60% of SMBs go out of business within six months of a major cyberattack. The founding members of the Defeat the Breach Coalition saw these statistics and decided that something had to be done. The Defeat the Breach Coalition is a multidisciplinary alliance of professionals who are experts in their chosen fields, working together to protect SMBs from every aspect of a cyberattack. The Coalition’s members are so committed to defeating the breach that we offer many of our services free of charge.
Why partner with the DBC? There is no shortage of IT service providers that claim to protect business networks from cybercrime, but what about the fallout that affects other parts of the company? Remember that $2.2 million figure? Only about half of that average loss was the result of damage or theft of IT assets, while the other half came from loss of productivity, disrupted operations, shattered customer confidence, lawsuits, fines, and other related problems. When you partner with the DBC our cybersecurity technicians will protect your systems, our legal team will protect your rights, and our public relations division will protect your reputation.
Social Links: LinkedIn
Today's guests are:
Barb Holland of Truscott Rossman: Barbs serves as Director and Senior Account Executive for Truscott Rossman, a public affairs and public relations firm with offices in Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Washington, DC. Truscott Rossman co-founded the Defeat The Breach Coalition with IT, legal and insurance leaders to help businesses plan for and manage cybersecurity incidents. Barb has nearly 30 years of strategic and crisis communications experience. Before joining Truscott Rossman, Barb worked in the health care sector and co-owned a fifth generation, family-owned business. She currently serves as a co-facilitator of Leadership Shiawassee, as an adjunct instructor in the Business Division for Baker College and as a member of the Rotary Club of Corunna.
Connect with Truscott Rossman: LinkedIn Twitter
Connect with Barb Holland: LinkedIn Twitter
Jeff Dettloff of Providence: Jeff serves as President and Chief Problem Solver for Providence Consulting, a Lansing based Cybersecurity and IT Management firm. Providence is a CompTIA Security Trustmark+ holder, has been recognized by CIO Magazine as one of the top 25 cybersecurity firms of 2017, and earned a spot on the 2018 CRN MSP 500 and Pioneer 250 lists as a top technology provider. Mr. Dettloff is the founder of the Defeat The Breach Coalition, a partnership of IT, legal, insurance, and public relations leaders helping organizations prepare for cybersecurity incidents. He was voted Emerging Entrepreneur of the year for 2009 by Greater Lansing Business Monthly; served as President of the Capital Area IT Council; has served on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Lansing; is a Dale Carnegie graduate and Graduate Assistant; and Club 52 alumni and speaker.
Connect with Providence: LinkedIn Twitter
Commercial Litigator and Breach Coach, Brent Arnold of Gowlings Toronto, Joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics
Brent Arnold is a commercial litigation lawyer and partner at Gowlings in Toronto. Gowlings is a global law firm with an incredible team of lawyers in every specialty imaginable. Brent has carved out a path for high-level litigation matters and increasingly more work in technology, cybersecurity and incident response. Having guided organizations through data breaches and ransomware attacks, Brent knows a thing or two about cyber attacks on businesses. He correctly states that organizations can no longer afford to consider cybersecurity as an "IT problem". It's about "risk management" and failure to plan could be costly. So what are the components of an incident response plan and why is useful to have one? Hear Brent's thoughts from a legal perspective. To get your incident response plan for your business, visit https://dfiforensics.ca/incident-response/. This was a very enjoyable interview for me because I love talking law and tech. Connect with Brent on LinkedIn here and follow him on Twitter here. Of course, connect with him at Gowlings here. If anyone would like to reach out to The Advocate's Society that he mentions in this episode, you can find their website here.
Wizer Inc. Is The FREE Cybersecurity Awareness Platform From Benevolent Entrepreneur Gabriel Friedlander Who Joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics In This Episode
Everyone loves free right? SPOILER ALERT for the skeptics - it really is free! Wizer Inc. is a platform to increase cybersecurity awareness from Founder and CEO, Gabriel Friedlander. Follow Gabriel on LinkedIn HERE if you are not already doing so! I love his attitude of giving back to help others and he is here to "spread knowledge so that everyone can be safe online". What's not to love about that! Well done Gabriel and thank you for being a guest on the podcast!
Get to Know Kimberley St. Pierre, A Vancouver Cyber Security Leader and Palo Alto Account Manager
Kobalt Security Founder and Information Security Expert Michael Argast
Farshad Abasi of Forward Security Inc. Discusses His Specialty of Application and Cloud Security
Digital Forensics Trainer and Former Law Enforcement Officer, Brett Shavers
Lawyer Scott Stanley of Murphy Battista LLP Helps Plaintiffs in "David vs. Goliath" Cases
Cybersecurity Experts Christian Redshaw and Dominic Vogel of Cyber.SC
Cyber.SC is my "go-to" source when my clients need a referral to a cybersecurity expert. Christian Redshaw and Dominic Vogel have the experience and expertise to guide their business clients through the process of securing their business data, intellectual property and systems in order to minimize the risk of costly and destructive cyber attacks.
Cyber.SC begins with an assessment of your business's state of information security maturity. Using the results of that assessment as a "baseline", Cyber.SC provides their clients with a 20-point roadmap to secure their organization.
Listen carefully as these gentlemen discuss the incredibly high cost of hiring an internal Chief Information Security Officer (that may be with you for only a brief period of time) vs. using an external resource like Cyber.SC. They also discuss the common misconception that cybersecurity is an IT or technology problem and why it really IS NOT.
The most important factor in minimizing your business's risk of a cyber attack is to act BEFORE something awful happens. Being proactive is ALWAYS better than merely reacting to cyber crime. Take control of your data security and contact Cyber.SC today or connect with Christian and Dominic on LinkedIn to follow their great content, including their own podcast, "Cyber Monday". Details below:
Cyber.SC: https://cyber.sc
LinkedIn: Dominic Vogel - https://www.linkedin.com/in/domvogel/
LinkedIn: Christian Redshaw - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-redshaw/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cyberdotsc
Cyber Monday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaOBg1kkPaM-cluL6D2DNoQ
Amber Schroader of Paraben Corporation: A Digital Forensics Pioneer, Visionary, Leader and One of the Best in Our Field.
Amber Schroader is a true pioneer in the digital forensics industry. She has over 30 years of experience in the field, which is amazing given the state of technology at that time, the change in technology over the years and the fact that her company, Paraben Corporation is celebrating its 20th year anniversary this year! Congratulations of your accomplishments Amber!
A few months ago when I was brainstorming the idea that eventually turned into this podcast, I posted a comment in a Digital Forensics Facebook group to see if there would be any guests I could have on the show. I received a polite response from another member in the group saying she would like to help and give me a list of people to contact and ideas for content. I was so impressed by this gesture, but when I asked my new friend what she did, her response, "I own Paraben and we do tech and digital forensics." Since I was VERY familiar with Paraben, it's products and services, I was amazed to make such a connection in a common Facebook group about our field. But, that's Amber. After all this time, after all her accomplishments, she is so passionate about our field that she is still involved in as much as she can be about this field - Facebook groups, YouTube videos, presentations and putting on her amazing conference PFIC, now in it's 13th year.
Amber was a very interesting guest and touched on some interesting and real issues, like her less than ideal treatment as a woman in her profession. She is a genuine person, my fellow ginger & dog lover, an inspiring business woman and deserves all the success that she has worked so hard to achieve.
If you want to learn more about Amber Schroader and her company, Paraben Corporation please visit paraben.com and connect with them on social media:
This Episode Features Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics...wait...what? I Was Honoured to Be a Guest on Cyber.SC's Cyber Monday Podcast.
Since the inception of DFI Forensics in July, 2018, I have had the phenomenal support of my trusted colleagues, Dominic Vogel and Christian Redshaw of Cyber.SC. They are my "go-to" cyber security professionals who excel at providing meaningful data security and information security solutions to businesses. Cyber.SC had a long running video series called, "Cyber Monday". It was so good that it eventually caught the eye of a production team that wanted to turn their content into a video podcast series, also called "Cyber Monday". You can subscribe to the program here. My friends had me on their podcast to talk digital forensics, incident response and my background as a practicing litigation lawyer in Vancouver, BC! It was such a great conversation that I wanted to publish it on this podcast. Connect with Cyber.sc on all social media: https://twitter.com/cyberdotsc https://www.facebook.com/cybersdotsc/ http://instagram.com/cyberdotsc
Josiah Spackman, DigiByte Brand Ambassador, Demystifies Blockchain and Cryptocurrency and Discusses the Responsible Application of This Technology!
Josiah Spackman is passionate about technology and digital information. You can hear it when he speaks. You can see the excitement on his face. His expertise in the area of blockchain and cryptocurrency is impressive. Josiah breaks down a concept like blockchain, which is difficult for many of us to understand, to its simplest form and expresses himself in a way that makes people listen.
It's no wonder then that he is perfectly suited to be a brand ambassador for one the world's most premiere blockchain organizations - Digibyte. What is truly amazing is that he believes in what he does so much that he does it for free! He voluntarily and very generously gave me his time on a Saturday from sunny Auckland, New Zealand.
I hope you will sit back and enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it with Josiah. He is a rare breed in this world and it was an honour to chat with him.
Please follow Josiah on LinkedIn, Twitter and, for more information on DigiByte, please check out digibyte.io.
Big thank you to Luke Ryan, of the DigiByte Awareness Team, for introducing me to Josiah for this podcast interview!
Derek Burbidge of Cardero Clothing Talks Men's Fashion and Custom Fit Suits and uh...Digital Forensi
Justin Malcewski of CrowdStrike Discusses the Early Days of the Vancouver Information Security Scene, Modern Threat Detection & Response
Melanie Jordan from Sunshine Coast Health Centre Discusses Modern Residential Addictions Treatment,
Sunshine Coast Health Centre is a residential addictions treatment centre in Powell River, B.C., Canada. It is led by scientific research and fueled by a passion for wellness and a desire to help its clients achieve an addiction-free and meaningful life. In this episode, Melanie Jordan from Sunshine Coast Health Centre joins Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics to discuss Sunshine Coast Health Centre's approach to modern day addiction treatment and how technology is being used to provide better, more effective treatment and intake initiatives. Also, hear Melanie discuss the many amazing ways that Sunshine Coast Health Centre protects it's IT network from attack and provides a safe and confidential environment for its clients' private data.
Founder of Ukrainetz Workplace Law Group, Veronica Ukrainetz, Discusses Her Practice and Email Fraud
Her mission is to enhance organizational effectiveness by developing and maintaining productive, accountable and respectful workplaces. She makes it a priority to understand her clients' organization and the particular employee or employment-related challenge. She provides practical and effective legal advice and knowledgeable human resources support. She coaches her clients to expect and be ready to respond to the unexpected.
When clients face litigation, she provides strategic and cost-effective representation in administrative tribunal proceedings, private mediation, arbitrations and hearings, and before the Courts.
She discusses openly her recent experience of being the victim of a significant email fraud and how others can learn from her experience to avoid a similar fate.
Brooke Johnson Talks Law, Being in Court & Equal Treatment for Women in Professional Settings
Jenson Leung, Employment Lawyer of Tevlin Gleadle Curtis talks Workplace Law, Technology, Privacy an
Contact Jenson here or by email at jleung@tevlingleadle.com and his firm, Tevlin Gleadle Curtis here.
@brittinvancity: From Working For Vancouver Law Firms to Social Media Influencer & Lifestyle Curator
On this episode of The Digital Forensics Files Podcast, I get real about life, love, compassion and inspiration for and in the World around us with one of the most amazing people I've ever spoken to. Britt's high-level professional background in law is also fascinating and interesting.
Prior to meeting Britt, I only knew of social media "influencers" as reality TV castoffs who call themselves one after their 15 minutes of fame is up but they've amassed a sizable social media following. That isn't what a true influencer is though. Britt discusses how she saw the potential in the Instagram platform from the beginning and built her following through authentic and engaging content. Hear her talk about how she uses her following in her business and as a key element of her brand.
When I was preparing to talk to her, I went to her website, binvancity.com, to learn more. I didn't know what a "lifestyle curator" was at first, but listening to Britt talk about it and how she got into it was simply fascinating. She's seen life's ugly side and conquered. She helps lift up others and brightens the world around her. Britt, you are amazing and I am simply honoured, humbled and extremely proud to now call you my friend!
Ben Baker of Your Brand Marketing Talks Brands, Cybercrime: The Ultimate Brand Killer and Employee Engagement!
Ben Baker is a terrific guy who also happens to be an author and brand specialist. His business is called, Your Brand Marketing. He assists businesses in telling their story and communicating their message to customers and clients. Not only does he help businesses communicate more effectively, he has some important things to say about the dire costs of failing to have engaged employees.
Unmotivated employees can kill your brand and cost your business dearly! Ben talks about the "disgusting" statistics of about half of all employees actively seeking greener pastures with other employers. That's not a good thing. Also, replacing key employees who leave your organization costs an average of $100,000! Shocking stuff.
Ben recently wrote a great article called, "Cybercrime: The Ultimate Brand Killer" for BC Business Magazine.
Find Ben on LinkedIn, Soundcloud and listen to his iHeart radio show, "Your Living Brand", here.
Be sure to connect with Ben through his website at yourbrandmarketing.com for loads of free resources and content!
Social Media in 2019. Top Tips for Safe, Secure Personal and Business Social Media Use!
How much is too much to share publicly on social media and what is the potential downside of doing so? Using social media safely requires you to consider the risks and consequences of having publicly accessible information about you available to anyone.
Sharing your life and information with others is perfectly reasonable and social media allows us to do it with ease and convenience. However, having your personal details available to anyone who may want to find the information is neither safe nor advisable. Always consider your privacy settings to ensure you are only sharing information with those that you trust.
Business users need to concern themselves with security in the social media landscape or you risk losing your account as the Instagram Lip Model I refer to in the episode almost did. See the full news story here.
I talk about top tips for security and safety in this episode. Share on your social media to help spread this important message!
Contact me HERE anytime if you have questions about our services or anything discussed on the podcast.
**DFI Forensics Inc. is a Vancouver-based digital forensics and incident response firm serving lawyers and clients across North America with offices in Vancouver, Langley, Calgary and Toronto.
Carmen Cruz from the World Famous CFOX Talks Radio and All Things Awesome!
When I first starting listening to Carmen Cruz on the world famous CFOX, I always thought she would be interesting to talk to. I didn't expect I would ever have the opportunity to talk to her on a podcast episode at some point in the future, but here we are and it was an absolute pleasure!
Carmen Cruz is an intelligent, well-spoken, hard-working and entertaining on-air radio personality at CFOX radio in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She also happens to be a pretty great person who tries to make people smile daily (spoiler alert: I think it's working!) and is proud and grateful to live in our amazing Country of Canada! She's a proud representative of and leader in the Canadian-latino community. She is of Chilean heritage, but born and raised in the (former) "City of Champions", Edmonton, Alberta. She was educated at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, or "NAIT" as the cool kids say, where she graduated with honours and distinction from the Radio and TV Arts Program. (Here us briefly bond on our tales of soul-crushing educational rejection!)
Being a fan of her and her show, I followed her Instagram feed from our @dfiforensicsinc Instagram feed. Earlier this year, there was a lot of devices and online accounts being hacked globally and it was affecting a large number of people in Vancouver. I contacted Carmen through Instagram and requested a public service announcement to warn people of the threat. She replied almost immediately because that's the type of person she is. But I didn't stop there. Emboldened by my recent interaction with her, I began to like and comment on her posts and stories and she always made a point of replying and responding with grace, class and hilarious comments. She's good peeps. Period. Full stop. 'nuff said.
Recently, after sending her a particularly humourous Metallica meme I asked her if she would like to chat with me on an episode of The Digital Forensics Files Podcast. To my surprise, she agreed and almost sounded excited to generously volunteer her time to speak to a stranger from the internet. Again, she's just simply good peeps!
So listen and enjoy this episode everyone because Carmen Cruz has an interesting past, a cool job, she's hilarious and has a lot of love and support to give to her community, "peoplekind" and our four legged canine friends (woof!)!
What surprised me in an unexpected but pleasant way was her willingness to discuss and be open about her own mental health issues. Anxiety and depression affect many people and it is a legitimate health issue that can and should be addressed without shame, stigma and guilt. Good on you Cruzer!
Check her out at carmencruz.ca and follow her on social media:
Instagram - @thecarmencruz
Twitter - @thecarmencruz
Soundcloud - carmen_cruz
Definitely check out the "Drunken Buddha" at https://soundcloud.com/carmen_cruz/my-drunk-buddha
Tech Talk with Real Estate Agent Kristy Masaro (spoiler alert: She's a ton of fun!)
Kristy Masaro is an exceptionally talented and highly decorated Fraser Valley real estate agent. She is an accomplished businesswoman and is dedicated to serving the particular needs of the First Responder Community that she is so proud to work with.
In this episode, Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics Inc. is joined by Kristy to discuss how she uses technology, social media and a no-gimmick approach to getting the job done right for her clients. She's great fun and very insightful so be sure to check this one out!
**If you haven't seen Kristy's "sold sign dress" - check it out on her social media!**
Learn more about Kristy at www.masarorealestate.com and follow her on Instagram and like her Facebook Page!
Yes, we can unlock your phone when you forget your passcode...but please don't! Also, it depends...well, just listen!
DFI Forensics Inc. can unlock almost any smartphone or tablet if the passcode is lost, forgotten or a loved one has deceased, leaving behind a cell phone with their whole life on it. Precious images and videos need to be recovered and communications like email, texts and contacts can assist in dealing with the estate of the deceased.
Plan for lost or forgotten passwords by writing them down and storing them securely. Provide them to a trusted person in the event of your unexpected passing. Another great option is to use a password manager in which you can designate a beneficiary for your important passwords and accounts.
For questions, contact Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics Inc. at thatch@dfiforensics.ca or call 604.880.1418.
Do You Fear Using The "Cloud"? Let's Talk About That!
Many users fear the "cloud" and stay far away from it. Why? Most likely because they feel uncomfortable with their email and data "floating around in the air somewhere".
That, of course, isn't quite accurate. The cloud is simply a term used to describe information and accounts that be accessed from anywhere, using a device or computer, or online through a web browser. The data is ultimately stored on a physical server or in a data centre somewhere. Rather than fear the cloud, users must learn to use it in a way that maximizes the security features offered such as strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
In the episode, Tyler Hatch, of DFI Forensics Inc. offers tips for overcoming your fear of the cloud!
If you have any questions for us, feel free to reach out at info@dfiforensics.ca or call 604.880.1418/toll-free 1.888.892.2937
Digital Marketing and Internet Sales Specialist Daryl Oberg of AYD Internet Marketing
EP 06 - Digital Marketing and Internet Sales Consultant
Daryl Oberg | AYD Internet Marketing
Website development, paid ad campaign management and search engine optimization (SEO) are a few ways that most businesses connect with customers. It's specialized and it's not a DIY project that most entrepreneurs should undertake. Daryl Oberg discusses his thoughts on using the internet and technology to allow entrepreneurs to reach customers, generate sales and reinvest that revenue into the company's brand through high level digital marketing. Daryl Oberg can be reached at daryl@aydmarketing.com and his Facebook groups are a must for Langley, B.C. entrepreneurs looking to network and get referrals!
Discussing privacy and the balance between privacy and a valuable consumer experience was a fascinating topic.
Employment Lawyer Chris Drinovz Discusses Law, Workplace Disputes and Digital Forensics
On this episode of the Digital Forensics Files Podcast, Tyler Hatch of DFI Forensics Inc. is joined by Chris Drinovz, senior employment lawyer with Kane Shannon Weiller LLP. Chris has a varied workplace law practice involving all areas of employment, labour and workplace disputes. He discusses other dispute forums, such as Human Rights Tribunals and WorkSafe BC cases.
Harassment cases can often involve evidence of the act being found on a digital device such as a computer or cell phone.
If you're an employee who has been wrongfully dismissed or a employer with questions about workplace policies and/or disputes, reach out to Chris Drinovz and the team at Kane Shannon Weiller LLP serving the needs of the Fraser Valley, in British Columbia, Canada.
Tech Talk With The Vegan Financial Advisor, Justin Manning
We discuss the use of technology in Justin's business and how he uses Advisor Stream and his top notch CRM to serve his clients more effectively.
Finally, we discuss Justin's focus on protecting the sensitive information of his clients in his practice and what steps he and his organization follow to ensure that information is not exposed in a cyber attack or data breach.
Top 5 Tips For Lawyers To Follow When Engaging A Digital Forensics Expert
Hiring an expert isn't always easy. In my experience, many lawyers don't have a digital forensics team that they routinely work with. While the need is increasing as interactions with technology results in more sources of evidence to explore, it's not a regular need for many lawyers' practices.
So, off to Google lawyers go and the search begins. Most of time, it works out okay, but when it doesn't the consequences can be significant.
Here are five tips for lawyers to follow when engaging a digital forensics expert in a lawsuit:
- What's in a name? Perhaps everything - if it's clearly not what you're looking for. If you're contacting the "Geek Squad" or "Nerds R Us" to be your digital forensics specialist, you are probably not going to find what you're looking for. Legitimate experts don't use business names like this.
- Look for a "forensics" expert! Professionals in this industry either explicitly use the term forensics or identify with it. The very word "forensics" is derived from language that means "for use in court". Following strict protocols to ensure admissibility of evidence and verifiable findings is the name of the game so don't take chances with someone who calls themselves something like an "IT specialist" without ensuring they are what you need.
- Get a CV Ensuring that your expert has specialized training, knowledge and experience is the very thing that permits an expert to be exempted from the evidentiary rule against providing an opinion as opposed to a statement of fact. This may seem like common sense, but I have seen so-called "experts" engaged without being asked for a CV or any explanation of their qualifications.
- The right tool matters. Ensure your digital forensics expert has the right tools for the job and ask them to explain what they will be using and why they are necessary. I would even recommend asking if there are other tools available and why they use what they use. You want to ensure the highest quality tool is used for best results. There are hardware tools and specialized forensic software that relates to the proper acquisition of electronic evidence and subsequent analysis.
- Know the limitations of a digital forensics investigation before you hire your expert. Nothing is certain in digital forensics and you never truly know what you are going to find until you acquire and analyze the evidence. However, everyone should know that from the start. If you are engaging an expert to determine a fact, it's important to know the variables that affect the outcome and to what degree there is a chance that the investigation will be unfruitful. A true professional digital forensics expert will explain the benefits of an investigation and advise of known possible outcomes - including negative ones - to allow you to make an informed decision.
See also, Tyler's latest feature AdvocateDaily.com post on this subject here.
Top Five Things To Do When You Detect A Cyber Attack!
Cyber attacks on business and government organizations are exceedingly common these days. Not all cyber attacks are or result in a data breach. More often than not, the objective is to encrypt the victim's IT network and demand that a ransom be paid in order to have the data decrypted.
The top five things to do when you detect a cyber attack:
- Leave devices running and keep systems functioning and online. You've already been compromised so you might as well provide an opportunity to the forensics responders to collect the available evidence before contaminating the scene. Without evidence, there is little that we can determine in the aftermath of a cyber attack. It is very important to understand precisely what occurred and how in order to prevent it from happening again.
- Contact the privacy and data breach lawyer that is part of your incident response plan. Your organization may be facing liability for exposing client data during a cyber attack so it's best to have a qualified and experienced lawyer involved from the start.
- Have your lawyer (see #2!) engage a digital forensics team to collect evidence and respond to the attack. A qualified incident response team will contain and eradicate the threat or malicious attacker. Further, and perhaps most importantly, when engaged by your lawyer, all work, evidence and findings by your digital forensics team are protected under solicitor client privilege. This prevents it from being used against your organization down the road if there is a lawsuit or class action claim.
- Report the matter to your cyber insurance provider, if coverage is in place. Hopefully, you have coverage for the potential enormous losses that can flow from a cyber attack. It is always recommended that you put your insurer on notice of a potential claim early.
- Conduct a full and thorough investigation following a cyber attack. Learn what happened in order to avoid having it happen again. Changes may be required to your IT network. Your personnel may need to be made more aware of risks related to cyber crime and your incident response plan may require updating following an attack. This is only possible if you know what happened.
For more information on Cyber Security and Incident Response Plans, contact DFI Forensics Inc. If you need a contact for cyber insurance or an incident response lawyer, we can provide one in any North American area.
Introduction to the Podcast: What is digital forensics anyways?
When I tell people that I have my own digital forensics firm, they generally say, "Cool!!", then immediately ask, "What does that mean?"
People don't tend to know what exactly digital forensics is until they have a need for our services. In the case of lawyers, many of them are thankful they have someone to use after they've experienced a properly and professionally conducted digital forensics investigation.
With that being said, let's jump into what digital forensics is and set the stage for the topics and format of The Digital Forensics Files Podcast!
Digital forensics is an investigative process in which digital forensics examiners collect evidence from electronic devices and digital sources and examine the evidence to determine a fact or set of facts, often in the context of computer crime or unlawful activity, for which the findings are reported to clients and/or presented in Court.
Sources of evidence often include computers, cell phones, tablets, servers, email accounts, mobile device app data (Facebook etc.), cloud accounts/storage and the internet.
Digital forensics examiners use digital evidence to answer "who", "what", "where", "when", "how" and "why" during an investigation and report the findings to a client. Sometimes, the findings and evidence needs to be presented in Court during a criminal or civil trial.
My name is Tyler Hatch and I am hosting this podcast. I am a former litigation lawyer, who practiced in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, prior to becoming a certified mobile and computer forensics examiner. In July, 2018, I founded my own digital forensics and incident response firm, DFI Forensics Inc. We serve clients across Canada and in the U.S. and have offices in Vancouver, Langley, Calgary and Toronto.
I hope you enjoy the podcast and provide lots of feedback to make it better! Guest requests are welcome and can be submitted to info@dfiforensics.ca.