Editing Workflow:Archival Forensics workflow (storage media deposit)

{{Infobox COW
|status=Experimental
|tools=Archivists' Toolkit, Audacity, BitCurator, Duke Data Accessioner, FTK (Forensic Toolkit), Karen's Directory Printer, TeraCopy, TreeSize, VLC Media Player, VirtualBox, WinMerge
|input=Request to forensically process a digital deposit (storage media) to the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections, as part of of the Digital Archiving workflow (see Further Information).
|output=A verified, authentic copy of storage media content exported as a logical or physical image file, with or without forensic processing.
|organisation=Archives and Special Collections (ASC), University of Glasgow
|organisationurl=https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/archivespecialcollections/
}}
==Workflow Description==

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[[File:Archival-forensics-workglow_v0-1_web_sm.png|1000px|Archival forensics workflow produced by Archives and Special Collections at the University of Glasgow]]<br>

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; START
: A request to forensically process a digital deposit (storage media) to the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections, as part of of the [https://coptr.digipres.org/index.php/Workflow:Digital_archiving_workflow_(high-level) Digital Archiving workflow.] <br/>

; PREPARATION
: Obtain supporting resources and materials to forensically process digital storage media.
# Consult the physical conservation and preservation report, documenting all actions on the acquired media and produced during Acquisition in the [https://coptr.digipres.org/index.php/Workflow:Digital_archiving_workflow_(high-level) Digital Archiving workflow].
# Retrieve the unique accession number generated for the media to be processed from the Collections Management System. Use the accession number as reference in all forensic processing actions.
# Update the conservation and preservation logs on the Collections Management System relating to the storage media, including:
#* photographic records of the storage media before processing, clearly showing state, serial number(s) and any other relevant information recorded on the media (e.g. labels).
#* Documentation of media characteristics, such as technology, type, brand, model, serial number.
#* Documentation of any hardware setup or configuration necessary to process the storage medium.
# Proceed to Imaging.

; IMAGING
: Create an exact copy of storage media, encapsulating contents and structures in a single file (a disk image). 
# Use write-blocking tools (software or hardware) to only permit read-only access to storage media, so as to avoid compromising the integrity of the data; and protect the data chain of custody.
# Use disk imaging software to generate a forensic image file, which can either be: 
#* a physical image, which is a bit-by-bit (exact) copy of the storage medium and includes active (used) and free space. Any deleted data or file fragments will be copied into the image file.
#* A logical image, which captures active data on the device but not any deleted space, deleted files or fragments.
#* A selection of specific files and directories, also known as a targeted collection.
# Instruct the disk imaging software to create a complete file and directory listing; and verify the integrity of the generated image file by comparing hashes:
#* If verification fails and attempts at re-imaging are unsuccessful, create a "failed imaging" report in the Collections Management System logs.
#* If verification is successful, store the image in process store.
# Is further forensic processing and analysis required?
#* If no, submit the verified disk image to the [https://coptr.digipres.org/index.php/Workflow:Digital_archiving_workflow_(high-level) Digital Archiving workflow]. OR
#* If yes, proceed to Processing.

; PROCESSING
: Extract and manage information from the data in storage media, and make it available for analysis.
# Collate sources for processing, by selecting specific folders/files to review and - where appropriate - aggregating data from multiple storage media.
# Perform virus and malware detection checks on the collated sources.
# Use forensic software to identify and, if possible, remove irrelevant or redundant files from processing. Examples may include operating systems, system files, or user-defined files that have been deemed as irrelevant.
# Use forensic software to process the data, including hash generation for files; expanding compound files (e.g. zip archives); format identification and validation; creating search text indices; and preparing audiovisual, web and email data for analysis.
# Proceed to Analysis.
		
; ANALYSIS
: Use digital forensics methods to search, categorise, review, interpret and curate data in storage media, so as to aid selection and appraisal processes.
# Review the agreement(s) under which the records were donated, in order to identify permissible actions (e.g. whether restoring deleted files is allowed).
# Depending on the nature of the data and on archival needs, use forensic software to identify records of interest, and make them available for appraisal. Analysis methods may include:
#* Data carving, for restoring data that was deleted or lost from the file system.
#* Decrypting encrypted files and recovering passwords for password-protected files.
#* Viewing and exporting geolocation data from files that have geolocation information associated with them.
#* Analysing document content to explore terms/words of interest; and automate the identification of personal information, such as names, phone numbers, credit card and social security numbers.
#* Identifying the language in which documents are written.
#* Generating thumbnails from images and videos; and extracting metadata from multimedia files.
#* Flagging duplicate files.
#* Discovering information (including documents and email communications) relating to pre-defined lists of persons of interest.
# Once all analyses have been completed, consolidate the resulting data into an appropriate file/folder structure. 
# Proceed to Exporting.

; EXPORTING
: Export the forensically analysed contents of storage media as logical disk images, alongside relevant processing reports, filters and labels.
# Export any custom filters and labels created to manage the data, which can be useful for other digital archiving processes. Filters help locate items of interest quickly; and labels allow for grouping files in customised ways (e.g. flagging content that requires archivist attention; or records associated with a specific individual).
# Export any reports generated during processing and analysis, such as file hashes, virus and malware detection reports, search index terms and geolocation data.
# Export the forensically curated contents of processed storage media into a logical disk image.
# Submit the logical disk image to the [https://coptr.digipres.org/index.php/Workflow:Digital_archiving_workflow_(high-level) Digital Archiving workflow].


==Purpose, Context and Content==
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==Evaluation/Review==
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==Further Information==
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[[User:Lkon115|Lkon115]] ([[User talk:Lkon115|talk]]) 16:36, 7 November 2022 (UTC)

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==Further Information==
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==Further Information==
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* [https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/it/policy/digitalpreservation/ Digital Preservation policy, University of Glasgow]
* [https://coptr.digipres.org/index.php/Workflow:Digital_archiving_workflow_(high-level) Digital Archiving workflow, University of Glasgow]
* [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/projects-and-programmes/plugged-in-powered-up/digital-preservation-workflows/ Digital preservation workflows, The National Archives]

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[[User:Lkon115|Leo Konstantelos]] ([[User talk:Lkon115|talk]]) 12:13, 26 May 2023 (UTC)

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