In the cyber security industry, it has become commonplace to see the terms Incident Response and Digital Forensics applied to cyber products and services interchangeably. So, what do the two terms really mean? And does it really matter?
Read on to find out….
Incident response is a structured approach to addressing and managing the aftermath of a breach or attack.
It involves identifying, containing, and mitigating the impact of the incident to restore normal operations and prevent future occurrences. Effective incident response includes preparation, detection, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident review.
Digital forensics involves the recovery, investigation, and analysis of data from digital devices to uncover evidence for legal cases. It ensures that digital evidence is collected and analysed in a way that maintains its integrity and complies with legal standards.
In a nutshell, Incident Response focuses on analysing datasets and mitigating and eradicating a threat actors’ capabilities. Digital Forensics is the application of stringent practices on how data is analysed and handled. Its focus is the maintenance of the viability of the data gathered and analysed for evidentiary purposes, with the intent of using the data and its findings for legal recourse.
It is important to clearly define the two concepts, as interchangeable use for the two terms without being clear of their meaning will mean missed requirements. Brand and reputational harm, confusion, loss of credibility and even the collapse of a court case could result from a lack of understanding.
Digital forensics requires verified training and competence for evidence collectors and examiners. Forensically sound investigatory environments must be implemented and continually tested for integrity.
Write blockers, investigatory software and the necessary documentation (such as chain of custody and asset labelling) must be implemented. Evidence must be accounted for throughout its entire lifecycle, and demonstrable artefacts and practices must be in place to show that unnecessary evidence alteration has not occurred, and that any alteration is justifiable and proportionate.
A digital investigation should be scientific and unbiased, and analysis of the exact same dataset by a different analyst should result in the exact same outcome. You can strengthen your knowledge of best practice by analysing Locards exchange principles and the ACPO good practice guide for digital evidence (dated, but still a very instructive and authoritative standard).
Incident response is best discussed using the NIST 800-61 standard. All incident response activity fits into one of the documented domains of Preparation, Detection and Analysis, Containment, Eradication, Recovery and Post Incident Activity. To best implement incident response, it is important to have an IR plan and peripheral documentation.
Tests should be carried out for incident response people, processes and technologies. It is important to have clear roles and responsibilities, lists of activities to be conducted, and methods identified for analysis and response actions.
Yes. It is important to start with incident response, and to mature that function by improving your digital forensic capabilities. This will ensure you are aligned to insurance and regulatory requirements and will provide a holistic way of working for all incidents, irrespective of the stakeholders involved.
While often used interchangeably, Incident Response and Digital Forensics serve distinct but complementary roles in cyber security. Incident response is action-oriented, designed to swiftly mitigate threats and restore operations, whereas digital forensics is evidence-focused, ensuring data is preserved and analysed with the rigour required for legal proceedings. Misunderstanding or conflating the two can lead to serious consequences — from operational missteps to legal challenges.
By clearly defining and implementing both disciplines within your organisation, you create a robust framework that not only responds effectively to threats but also supports legal and regulatory compliance. Investing in the right tools, training, and processes is essential. In today’s complex threat environment, an integrated approach — where incident response is enhanced by forensic readiness — is not just best practice; it’s vital.
References
[1] Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) – CrowdStrike
[2] Understanding the Role of Forensics in Incident Response
[3] NIST SP 800-61r3 initial public draft, Incident Response Recommendations and Considerations for Cybersecurity Risk Management: A CSF 2.0 Community Profile [4] ACPO Good Practice Guide for Digital Evidence – Digital Detective
