Word of the Day: e-discovery

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms | October 8, 2018 e-discovery Electronic discovery (also called e-discovery or ediscovery) refers to any process in which electronic data is sought, located, secured, and searched with the intent of using it as evidence in a civil or criminal legal case. E-discovery can be carried out offline on a particular computer or it can be done in a network. Court-ordered or government sanctioned hacking for the purpose of obtaining critical evidence is also a type of e-discovery. The nature of digital data makes it extremely well-suited to investigation. For one thing, digital data can be electronically searched with ease, whereas paper documents must be scrutinized manually. Furthermore, digital data is difficult or impossible to completely destroy, particularly if it gets into a network. This is because the data appears on multiple hard drives and digital files, even if deleted, can be undeleted. In fact, the only reliable way to destroy a computer file is to physically destroy every hard drive where the file has been stored. In the process of electronic discovery, data of all types can serve as evidence. This can include text, images, calendar files, databases, spreadsheets, audio files, animation, Web sites and computer programs. Even malware such as viruses, trojans and spyware can be secured and investigated. Email can be an especially valuable source of evidence in civil or criminal litigation because people are often less careful in these exchanges than in hard copy correspondence such as written memos and postal letters. Computer forensics, also called cyberforensics, is a specialized form of e-discovery in which an investigation is carried out on the contents of the hard drive of a specific computer. After physically isolating the computer, investigators make a digital copy of the hard drive. Then the original computer is locked in a secure facility to maintain its pristine condition. All investigation is done on the digital copy. E-discovery is an evolving field that goes far beyond mere technology. It gives rise to multiple legal, constitutional, political, security and personal privacy issues, many of which have yet to be resolved. Quote of the Day "E-discovery is complex; its proper execution is vital to sustaining the rule of law in the digital age in which we now live." - Jeffrey Ritter Trending Terms computer forensics Microsoft Exchange In-Place eDiscovery discovery mailbox technology-assisted review predictive coding electronic discovery reference model Learning Center Survey: Attorneys still lack proficiency in e-discovery technology The reliance on digital evidence has done little to advance the legal field's proficiency in e-discovery technology, a survey of federal judges found. Microsoft Teams e-discovery enabled for hybrid clouds A new Microsoft Teams e-discovery tool should appeal to large enterprises as they transition to the cloud. The feature is targeted at businesses with on-premises Exchange servers. Integrating e-discovery process with traditional backup The e-discovery process for backup data can be a real challenge. Brien Posey outlines how e-discovery and traditional backup software products are becoming more integrated today. E-discovery tools and processes lacking in the face of cloud, BYOD Corporate mobile and cloud use are now common, but e-discovery tools are slow to adapt. In this tip, learn how to manage the new e-discovery challenges posted by these technologies. Information governance strategy and e-discovery are intertwined Your company's e-discovery process needs a strong framework for managing information throughout its lifecycle. That's why information governance matters. Quiz Yourself According to the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine, evidence discovered indirectly as a result of an illegal method is not ______________. a. admissible b. admissable Answer Stay in Touch For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com Visit the Word of the Day Archives and catch up on what you've missed! FOLLOW US About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2018 TechTarget. All rights reserved.