02.11.18

Disklabs ship and install sensitive equipment in digital forensic laboratories in many countries overseas and below we have detailed a few tips of the trade on how to get IT systems reliably and securely shipped around the world.

1. Back up your data prior to shipment.

This may seem obvious but the first step when considering the move of a large IT hardware system is to secure backups of all of the data. There are a number of ways this can be achieved including the build of a duplicate system or online backup in the cloud.

Cloud storage services are relatively inexpensive and hassle-free way of backing up critical data.

2. Anti-Hacking, Anti- Static and EMP protection

Placing the equipment in a reusable faraday bag enclosure such as the Disklabs RS4U  prior to shipping will ensure that these expensive systems have the best protection from hacking and EMP risks.

Manufactured in the UK the RS4U is designed to prevent the protentional of remote access to critical data and increased level of protection from EMP and RF radiation risks that may damage sensitive circuits. The RS4U also comes with a water and abrasion resistant inner liner offer a further level of environmental protection.

3. Use an experienced shipper who is familiar with IT systems

The internet is full of companies who offer special shipping services and the likely hood is that there will be one in your locality. They will understand the packing requirements for international shipping.

Your shipper should be able to send you an outline specification of the packaging solution they propose to use and this should include foam cushioning and a hermetically sealed custom case. the shipping specification will typically include an anti-static wrap for any sensitive electronic equipment however the level of protection this offers is usually undefined and may not be effective.

4. Keep track of your shipment

In-country commissioning teams waiting around for a shipment to be released can be a disruptive and expensive problem.

If there is a critical timeline ensure the shipper is responsible for delivering a door to door service. Large courier companies tracking systems are usually very reliable however on the odd occasion that a shipment goes astray or gets stuck in customs it can be difficult to establish clear timescales for the resolution of an issue when the ‘computer says no’.

A specialist who has contacts along the shipping route will be able to proactively ensure that any issues along the way are quickly understood and in the case of goods held in customs expedite paperwork and payments of duty to get shipments released for delivery.

5. Special Insurance cover.

Many larger companies will self-insure however for smaller companies a hiccup in shipping a  large value item could make a serious dent in the company’s profits and cash flow. Standard shipment insurance may not be enough to recover all costs in case of loss or damage. Specialist insurance cover will be available to ensure you recover 100% of the system cost and options may be available to recover other additional costs as a result of shipping delays.

At Disklabs data is our business. Our products and services help our clients both solve and prevent crime.

The UK’s ‘original Disklabs faraday bags’ are used to shield digital devices from the battlefield to the boardroom in over 80 countries.

Our Faraday Bags, guarantee the security of evidence, protect important files and safeguard key information during transit. Whether it’s on a mobile phone, tablet, laptop or key fob, we’re the UK’s number one provider of active RF shielding.

Our expert forensic team are passionate about speeding up the processes of evidence recovery whilst maintaining quality and accuracy. Operating from a state of the art facility Disklabs has over 20 years’ experience in data recovery, digital forensics and data erasure. We specialise in providing services to law enforcement, security agencies, and corporations, in the recovery of data and forensic investigations.

31.01.18

Debit and credit cards are important in the modern world and we would never look to give out our financial information. With the rise of contactless payments though, credit and debit card theft is easier than ever before. Faraday wallets were designed to protect your information being stolen without your knowledge.

Before a would-be thief would have to employ tactics such as skimming numbers from credit card machines or cash machines involving a lot of work. Nowadays, however, the smarter criminal can take your details just by standing next to you.

The RFID chip inside your card that lets you make payments by swiping them on top of the machine for you convenience makes them easy targets to be scanned by someone else. What if your wallet is in your back pocket and someone walks up to you with a scanner? Theoretically, they could take sensitive information and allow them to use that information without your consent.

What is a RFID Faraday Wallet and how does it work?

RFID chips have been implemented into a wide variety of things from passports, a microchip for pets and your underground pass to get onto the train. They work by communicating via an RFID reader which uses radio waves to read the information on the chip which contains small electromagnetic fields.

Due to it working in proximity, there is nothing stopping someone from being just close by enough to read those little electromagnetic fields and it has happened before. This is where the RFID blocking Faraday wallet comes into play as the chips are quite easy to block with the correct material. If you encase your wallet to be a Faraday Cage, it will block the electromagnetic signals between a chip and reader.

Put simply, the Faraday cage for a wallet would be a mesh material with small wires of conductive material such as copper, nickel or silver. This would be the makings of the wallet creating the Faraday cage effect. As external electronic fields cause charges around the exterior of the mesh and distribute it, it cancels out the charge or radiation within the meshes interior.

This makes the Faraday wallet able to block external signals, stopping any attacker being able to scan your cards which contain the RFID chips. These are perfect for people who are security conscious, hold sensitive information in their wallet or work within security services, police or government.

You can find out where to buy your own RFID Faraday Wallet from our range of Faraday products.