Background

Faced with a sophisticated cyber attack on a local business, the Ahmedabad Police Department encountered a complex scenario involving hacking, malware, and data breaches. The incident resulted in unauthorized access and theft of confidential data, demanding a detailed forensic investigation.

Problem

The cybercriminals employed advanced techniques, including Zero-day exploits and complex malware, which not only disrupted the business’s operations but also compromised critical information. The challenge for the police department was to dissect the attack’s intricate mechanisms, gather digital evidence, and understand the threat actors’ sophisticated tactics.

Solution

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar was brought in to collaborate with the Ahmedabad Police Department for a thorough cyber forensic investigation. His approach encompassed:

• Initial Assessment: Sifting through logs from firewalls, IDS/IPS systems, and endpoint protection to identify indicators of compromise (IoCs).
• Malware Analysis: Using reverse engineering tools to break down the malware, assessing its structure, functionality, and behavior.
• Network Forensics: Employing packet capture and analysis techniques to trace the path of data exfiltration, identifying the malicious domains and IP addresses involved.
• System Forensics: Conducting in-depth analyses of the affected systems using disk imaging and file carving techniques to recover deleted files and trace unauthorized access.
• Collaboration with Other Agencies: Facilitating information sharing with other law enforcement and cybersecurity entities for cross-referencing threat intelligence.
• Security Measures Implementation: Advising and aiding in the deployment of robust cybersecurity measures, such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems, to prevent future incidents.

Results

This collaborative investigation successfully identified the malware family, the breach’s entry points, and the perpetrators. The cybercriminals were apprehended, and legal action was initiated.

Dr. Bhavsar’s comprehensive forensic analysis led to the recovery of critical data and significantly enhanced the business’s security posture. The concerted efforts of Dr. Bhavsar and the Ahmedabad Police Department ensured the culprits were brought to justice, enabling the business to resume normal operations with improved defenses against future cyber threats.