Ever deleted an email or text message only to need it later? Digital information can feel frustratingly impermanent. But what if that missing piece holds the key to a legal case? In today’s digital world, where our lives are increasingly documented electronically, the ability to collect and analyze this data is crucial. That’s where digital forensics and eDiscovery come in.

Both fields deal with electronically stored information (ESI), but with distinct purposes. While eDiscovery focuses on identifying relevant data for legal matters, digital forensics dives deeper, aiming to uncover hidden evidence and ensure its admissibility in court—both playing equally important parts in digital evidence collection.

Jordan McQuown, who doubles as the Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for IST Management Services, Inc. (IST) is no stranger to the industry, with more than 19 years of technology, security and operations experience, the last 10 years focused on delivering services and consulting to the legal market.

IST, renowned for its passionate approach to client service, operates in the facilities management and litigation support services industry. IST positions itself as a leader in this field, aiming to transform the way these services are delivered. They achieve this by combining the expertise of their staff with specialized technology, creating a solution that integrates seamlessly with their clients’ operations, potentially improving overall effectiveness.

“Technology moves at such a quick pace, and our customers rely on us to be able to understand the technology, to understand how to get to the data sources and make it so that they can do the legal work that they do,” says McQuown. “Technology must help us to take on those challenges. And that’s certainly where we look to Cellebrite to be a partner.”

IST’s commitment to offering a comprehensive suite of solutions for their clients is seen through their usage of Cellebrite UFED, Mobile Elite (both products of which are under Inseyets for Enterprise) and Endpoint Inspector. McQuown highlights UFED’s capabilities in recovering critical evidence from mobile devices during investigations, and how Endpoint Inspector facilitates the forensic data collection and analysis from remote desktops and Macs.

“As texting and privacy apps blow up in this space, those are becoming more and more relevant to litigation. So, getting access to these devices without having the custodian mail a phone to us or sit in our office for four hours while it occurs… is pretty game-changing for us. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to be away from their phone for five minutes,” states McQuown.

He emphasizes a clear trend: the skyrocketing use of mobile devices since the mid-2010s. This undoubtedly impacts his work in digital forensics and eDiscovery. Compared to a decade ago, there is a significantly higher number of mobile devices requiring forensic examination. The nature of the data itself has also evolved, shifting from basic call logs and text messages to a more intricate world of social media data, location tracking information, app usage history and even recovering deleted files. This trend highlights the growing importance of mobile device forensics in the legal landscape.

McQuown dives into the sensitive topic of privacy when it comes to mobile device forensics. He acknowledges the inherent tension, stating “you can’t talk about having mobile devices without having a privacy conversation.”  A key concern lies in the potential for all-or-nothing data collection, which raises the issue of collecting and storing potentially sensitive personal information unrelated to the case.

However, McQuown assures that investigators aren’t interested in prying into personal lives and the technology allows them to focus solely on extracting targeted data relevant to the investigation.

Building trust is paramount for McQuown and Endpoint Inspector allows investigators to target specific data sources on a device, rather than taking the entire phone. “We can even show the custodian where we’re selecting specifically the data sources,” he explains. This allows device owners to see the process firsthand.  McQuown manages the challenge of balancing the need for effective investigations with the importance of protecting personal data.

McQuown expresses his appreciation for Cellebrite as a key tool in his mobile device forensics work. He acknowledges Cellebrite’s pioneering role, particularly when it comes to iPhone forensics.  Here, a standardized solution like Cellebrite shines—it simplifies the process and delivers consistent results across different devices. 

Most importantly for McQuown, Cellebrite keeps pace with the rapid advancements in mobile technology.  The ability to quickly acquire data from new phone models and operating systems is crucial, and Cellebrite’s adaptability ensures investigators can access critical evidence regardless of the device.  In McQuown’s view, Cellebrite offers a user-friendly, comprehensive and future-proof solution for mobile device forensics.

“I think having one solution that you know how to use… does the critical work for us and gives us a standard-type output. And, you know, phones evolve every day… we need to get to that evidence if it becomes critical. So, the fact that Cellebrite’s able to stay close to the curve, that’s always been what Cellebrite has shown,” says McQuown.

Beyond technology, IST prioritizes building strong client relationships, positioning themselves as trusted advisors. This aligns perfectly with Cellebrite’s vision of empowering digital forensics professionals to deliver exceptional service.

When adopting a new product, IST prioritizes training provided by the vendor itself. This ensures McQuown’s team possesses a deep understanding of the product’s capabilities and can utilize it effectively. He avoids situations where “teammates use things they don’t necessarily understand,” highlighting the importance of proper training.

Aside from that, McQuown emphasizes attending industry conferences to stay current on trends and best practices, encouraging a culture of continuous learning within his team. He stresses the importance of actively consuming content like case studies and even reading product release notes to stay informed about new features and updates. By combining these methods, McQuown equips his team with the knowledge and skills necessary.

This collaborative approach echoes Cellebrite’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships within the digital forensics’ community.  McQuown specifically mentioned their close collaboration with Cellebrite’s team as a factor in facilitating expedited support resolutions, highlighting the value of open communication and industry collaboration.

IST’s strategic use of Cellebrite’s solutions, alongside other tools, demonstrates its commitment to providing clients with the most advanced technology for comprehensive digital evidence collection. Cellebrite is proud to partner with industry leaders like IST who are dedicated to delivering exceptional service and managing data efficiently.

Share this post