File Discovery and Analysis Tools

2007-08-17T11:15:00.001-04:00

Like many companies, we're building our eDiscovery infrastructure. I'm still working up a set of tools for my toolbox. I've discovered some interesting tools from PinPoint Labs. These tools revolve around the analysis and collection of electronic documents.

PinPoint Labs Free Tools and Utilities
http://www.pinpointlabs.com/free_tools/

Pinpoint FileMatch - Check for the existence of a file in a large body of data very quickly.
Pinpoint Hash - Create and check hash signatures of files. A hash is a file's unique signature of a file. This program looks at a file, and generates it's hash file. If two file's hashes match, the files are identical.
Pinpoint Metaviewer - "So we made Metaviewer. Metaviewer is a utility that integrates into the Windows Explorer "Send To" menu to provide ready access to Office metadata and hash values instantly. " Highlight the document you want to view metadata on, click "Send-to" and behold your precious metadata.
Pinpoint Safecopy - GUI front end for Microsoft's (MS) popular Robocopy. Robocopy is useful, because it preserves a file's important metadata. SafeCopy puts a (relatively) friendly face on Robocopy.

While these tools aren't a substitute for a more formalized and proper eDiscovery infrastructure, more tools in the tool belt is always a good thing.

First Post!!

2007-08-17T10:49:00.000-04:00

Welcome!

This is the story of an IT guy who has recently taken a job within the legal department in a company as an Electronic Discovery Analyst.

What is an eDiscovery Analyst?! Hmmm... well, I'm still figuring that one out. :-)

Basically I will make sure we dig up all the electronic data required during the discovery phase of lawsuits my company may get involved in. This is a really new field, and I'm very excited to be a part of it.

I've always been fascinated by the law, and I'm a complete tech junkie. I thought this job was a match made in heaven!

I won't post to this blog on any set schedule, just generally when I learn something new, or find something interesting. Initially, I anticipate will be posting lots of stuff, since I have so much to learn.

This blog will be written from a technically competent, but legally ignorant perspective. That said, if you're not very technically savvy don't worry. I'll try to keep the jargon down to a minimum. Feel free to post questions about anything you might find unclear. Please don't email me, as posting here on the blog is more useful, since everyone will learn from our discussion here. If you email me, no one else gets to see and participate in the conversation, and that would be too bad for everyone.

Anyhow, I look forward to hearing from everyone, I'm sure there are people out there with tons more knowledge and experience than I. Hopefully this blog will attract those kinds of folks, as well as people as new to this field as I am.

eDiscoveries

File Discovery and Analysis Tools

First Post!!