ISO/IEC 27037:2012 provides guidelines for specific activities in the handling of digital evidence, which are identification, collection, acquisition and preservation of potential digital evidence that can be of evidential value.
It provides guidance to individuals with respect to common situations encountered throughout the digital evidence handling process and assists organizations in their disciplinary procedures and in facilitating the exchange of potential digital evidence between jurisdictions.
ISO/IEC 27037:2012 gives guidance for the following devices and circumstances:
- Digital storage media used in standard computers like hard drives, floppy disks, optical and magneto optical disks, data devices with similar functions,
- Mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs), memory cards,
- Mobile navigation systems,
- Digital still and video cameras (including CCTV),
- Standard computer with network connections,
- Networks based on TCP/IP and other digital protocols, and
- Devices with similar functions as above.
The above list of devices is an indicative list and not exhaustive.
ISO/IEC 27037 outlines a set of procedures and controls, including:
- Principles for Evidence Handling: Guidelines to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the evidence.
- Processes for Identification: Recognition of potential sources of digital evidence.
- Collection Methods: Appropriate methods for collecting potential evidence to prevent alteration.
- Acquisition Protocols: Secure transfer and acquisition of digital evidence from its original location.
- Preservation Techniques: Ensuring the safeguarding and preservation of evidence in its original form.
- Documentation: Maintaining thorough documentation throughout the evidence handling process.
