Challenge
- Non‑negotiable deadline: Imaging, validation, and a high‑level first look had to finish within 96 hours of the initial call.
- Unknown device types: No information was provided about the devices’ operating systems or configurations, necessitating readiness for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and other platforms.
- Controlled environment: Collection had to occur in a supervised foreign facility with restrictions on connectivity and unsanctioned media leaving the premises.
- Cross‑border transfer: Evidence needed to move across an international border without violating data‑protection statutes—or being delayed by customs inspection.
IntrepidX Response
Thursday 13:15 — Engagement launched
IntrepidX’s customer intake connected counsel to a senior examiner who triaged requirements and arranged to build a go‑pack within the hour and fly the following day.
Friday 07:10 — Wheels up
The examiner boarded the flight armed with a custom toolkit: hardware write‑blockers compatible with SATA, NVMe, and USB interfaces, software dongles for EnCase, FTK, and X-Ways, ensuring readiness for whatever forensic software was required. Connectivity with dedicated power was pre‑arranged onsite before take‑off.
Saturday 09:05 — Primary collection
Under third‑party supervision, IntrepidX performed hash‑verified images of all four devices in under four hours—compressing a process that typically requires days. Live status updates flowed to outside counsel every 30 minutes.
Saturday 14:40 — Scope expansion
During first‑look analysis at an off‑site location, additional data needs were identified. IntrepidX returned to the secure site the same day and executed a second‑pass collection and still preserved the original timeline.
Sunday 06:50 — Secure export
A full chain of custody was documented. A local encrypted backup was retained onsite, and a VeraCrypt-encrypted working copy was successfully transferred to company headquarters the same day.
Results
- Deadline beaten by 48 hours. Stake holders received confirmation of preservation ahead of schedule, avoiding any issues of reputational risk.
- Comprehensive collection. Two-pass imaging process captured both initial and newly created data.
- Audit‑proof chain of custody. Integrity verified via matching SHA-256 hashes between the onsite backup and the working copy.
Why IntrepidX
IntrepidX eliminates bureaucratic drag. Our elite examiners travel light, improvise under pressure, and carry a full lab in one Pelican case. Whether facing next‑generation encryption, rigid facility protocols, or an immovable deadline, we deliver defensible results—any device, anywhere, on demand.
