C3I Detective & Security Services

Digital & Forensic Services

Develop facts around online incidents and digital threats.

Supports investigation of impersonation, unauthorised access, online abuse, data exposure or other cyber-related concerns using lawful technical and open-source methods.

Professional boundary: C3I does not undertake unlawful access, harassment, impersonation, entrapment, evidence fabrication or assignments based solely on a demanded conclusion.

Service overview

What this service is designed to establish

Supports investigation of impersonation, unauthorised access, online abuse, data exposure or other cyber-related concerns using lawful technical and open-source methods.

The first task is to convert a broad concern into specific questions that can be investigated responsibly. The method, duration and deliverables then follow from those questions—not from assumptions about what the answer should be.

Questions the engagement may address

01

What incident occurred and when?

02

Which systems, accounts or identities are affected?

03

What evidence must be preserved immediately?

04

Is police, CERT-In or provider escalation required?

Scope framework

What may be included—and what is excluded.

Final scope depends on authority, law, available information, geography, urgency and intended use.

May include

  • Incident chronology
  • Account and artefact review
  • Open-source attribution research
  • Evidence preservation support
  • Escalation-ready reporting

Not included

  • Hacking back
  • Unauthorised intrusion
  • Guaranteed attribution
  • Replacement for incident containment or law enforcement

Methodology

A disciplined six-stage workflow.

The exact investigative methods differ by case, but control, documentation and responsible analysis remain constant.

  1. 1

    Initial assessment

    Clarify the decision, known facts, urgency, authority and suitability of the enquiry.

  2. 2

    Scope and protocol

    Define questions, boundaries, information access, communication and deliverables.

  3. 3

    Evidence development

    Conduct authorised documentary, field, interview, digital or analytical work as appropriate.

  4. 4

    Corroboration

    Compare sources, test contradictions and distinguish reliable facts from indicators.

  5. 5

    Analysis and reporting

    Explain findings, confidence, gaps, limitations and relevant context.

  6. 6

    Client briefing

    Present the report securely and discuss practical next steps without guaranteeing outcomes.

Potential deliverables

Clear outputs for an authorised decision-maker.

The engagement letter should specify what will be delivered and through which secure channel.

01

Authority and evidence-intake record

02

Technical examination notes

03

Evidence or artefact index

04

Findings and limitations report

Evidence and limitations

A report should distinguish verified facts, credible indicators, inconsistent information, unresolved questions and methodological limitations. It should not transform uncertainty into certainty merely to satisfy expectations.

Frequently asked questions

Important questions before engagement.

Confidential consultation

Start with the decision, not the service label.

C3I can assess whether cyber investigation is suitable, what scope may be proportionate and what limitations should be understood.

Urgent situations: Immediate danger, suspected crime, vulnerable persons or active cyber incidents may require police, emergency services, CERT-In, a platform provider or qualified legal counsel before private investigation support.