A data recovery is simply the process of getting usable data from inaccessible even damaged storage media, corrupted or deleted files.
All the digital devices, store data on some type of electronic media such as (old diskettes), hard drives or flash drives.
In data recovery process we do know that each type of the mentioned Medias presents different recovery challenges and that’s the reason why each data recovery case is different.
The data recovery process is very complex and requires an in-depth understanding of all the technical details of modern data storage media, file systems and all sort of operating systems as well.
The process of data recovery requires a well-equipped and controlled laboratory along with talented engineers and technicians with a security clearance on the top of their experience. The chance of losing a valuable data without this basic requirement is very high.
What are the main causes for data loss?
We won’t be able to state all the causes of data loss, but the most common ones are:
• Mechanical failure of the device,
• Physical damage to the device,
• Human errors,
• Power surges
• Software viruses…
There are two known categories of data loss:
The Logical Failures
This is the case when there is no physical damage to the media, so the data might have been deleted, media reformatted or contaminated with viruses. In such a situation there is a big chance of successful data recovery as long as the medium after such incident is not been abused by a subsequent usage and overwriting process.
The Physical Failures
This is the case when media has been damaged (…exposed to water, fire or even intentionally destroyed by offenders during police or intelligent Unit investigations) or experienced a mechanical failure.
In such complicated cases, the media or the disk drive must be rebuilt before any attempt of data recovery. Most of the time, by using the latest technology and very specialized techniques along with knowledge base acquired for many years, the recovery is possible except in the severe cases where the device is too damaged, the recovery is extremely difficult if not impossible.
The Data Recovery Process
AT acedatalab.com, we use the most known four-step data recovery methodology:
(But keep in mind that each data recovery process is different so the phases may vary according to the case).
Phase 1: Media Repair
If applicable:
– Hard drive damage is diagnosed and repaired.
– Damaged components are replaced.
– Firmware problems are identified and repaired.
Phase 2: Image Media
The exact image of the drive is done in a very low level (sector by sector imaging) as soon as the drive is repaired, to preserve the state of the data (extremely important to avoid any further damage to the drive, in the same time it’s a must when a forensic analysis process is required and evidences must be given before the court case).
Phase 3: Retrieve Data
One of the most essential processes in this phase is to diagnose and repair a file system, so that the access to any individual file is possible, after that those accessed files will be immediately checked for any corruption and will be automatically repaired.
Phase 4: Restore Data
The retrieved data at this stage can be copied to a new media( the choice of the new media is relative to the size of the data retrieved), and finally returned to the client.
