Client issue:
A rapidly expanding global technology company faced significant challenges within its Digital Forensics and eDiscovery teams. Exponential growth in both personnel and the volume of internal investigations, litigations, and regulatory requests led to:
- Inconsistent, ad-hoc workflows across team members
- Inefficient utilization of disparate hardware and software devices
- Lack of scalability in their existing Digital Forensic lab infrastructure
- A critical need for standardized, defensible processes for data identification, preservation, collection, processing, and early-stage hosting, to facilitate all team members operating cohesively
CRA approach:
- Conducted a comprehensive digital forensics and eDiscovery operational assessment, meticulously mapping existing data sources, retention policies, legal hold procedures, and current hardware/software inventory
- Analyzed monthly digital collection volumes (Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix, mobile, external storage) to strategically consolidate and optimize collection hardware/software, transitioning from physical dongles to electronic licenses
- Engineered and executed a P2V (physical to virtual) migration to a robust VMware farm, centralizing server infrastructure for Digital Forensic analysis and eDiscovery processing. This enhanced computer resource sharing, added flexibility/redundancy, and streamlined server administration
- Evaluated and implemented a leading evidence management platform, facilitating strict chain-of-custody and defensibility throughout the data lifecycle, with ongoing maintenance support
- Designed and implemented standardized eDiscovery workflows and standard operating procedure (SOP) playbooks for consistent, defensible data handling from identification and collection through processing and limited hosting
- Optimized Nuix server performance and workflows to efficiently manage exponential data growth in processing. This included integrating early case assessment (ECA) and advanced analytics into the intake process for rapid matter triaging and accurate scope estimation
- Delivered customized, hands-on training for the in-house Digital Forensic and eDiscovery teams, enabling effective adoption of new tools and standardized processes
Client impact:
- Achieved a 40%+ reduction in overall eDiscovery and Digital Forensics operational costs
- Significantly improved response times for critical internal investigations, litigations, and regulatory requests
- Eliminated ad-hoc workflows, establishing a standardized, highly defensible Digital Forensic and eDiscovery program
- Enabled seamless scalability of the client’s lab and team, capable of effectively supporting the company’s continued exponential growth and evolving legal demands
