What Is Electronic Data Discovery?

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Computers )



Electronic Data Discovery

Huge amount of electronic data are sent everyday from one computer to another. There is a very high probability that electronic data in all forms could be used for criminal intentions. Because of this probable scenario, electronic data discovery or EDD has been employed for the simplest and even for the worst cases of cybercrimes.

Electronic data discovery is a process wherein electronic data are sought, located, secured and searched for the purpose of using them in civil and criminal legal cases. It involves all forms of electronic data. Texts, graphics, audio, video, animation, spreadsheets, databases, websites and computer programs can serve as evidence during the process. On the other hand, viruses, trojans and spywares can also be secured and used as evidences. Even electronic mail or email could be valuable evidence as people are more careless when sending one, than when sending messages through snail mail and memos. Also, electronic data discovery can be carried out more easily because digital data can be easily searched than manually searching all those paper files. It can be done offline or in a network and in some cases, the court or the government could order the hacking for the purpose of obtaining critical

In some cases, a special form of electronic data discovery called cyberforensics or computer forensics is employed. This is done by investigating the contents of the hard drive of a specific computer. A digital copy of the hard drive is taken by the investigators. Afterwards, the computer is then physically isolated. Locking of the original computer in a secured location follows and the whole investigation will be carried out on the digital copy.

Electronic data discovery is a new and evolving technology which will be very vital in the field of criminology when used properly. It is a field that goes far than mere technology because it gives rise to other issues such as multiple legal, constitutional, political, security, and personal privacy issues.

Electronic Data Interchange

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is sometimes understood as a replacement for paper-based purchase orders. But in a broader sense, electronic data interchange can be defined as the automated manner of exchanging documents in standard electronic forms between organizations – that is from the computer application in one organization to the computer application of another.

The EDI architecture can be compared with the architecture of email. Email enables the transmission of free format textual messages from one person to another. EDI, on the other hand supports the electronic transmission of structured business messages expressed in hard-copy, pre-printed forms and business documents between computer applications rather than between people.

Electronic data interchange uses electronic medium to transmit data rather than physical storages media. It also employs the use of structured and formatted messages which are based on pre-agreed standards. With the pre-agreed standards, the messages can be translated, interpreted and checked upon for compliance with the explicit of rules.


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