Johann Hofmann, Director of Griffeye, challenges technology providers to not just put the best tools in digital investigators’ hands, and not only allow integration with other tools, but to fully automate the process so that users get the fastest, smoothest workflow possible.

In a recent blog post, we took a look at the different types of silos within organizations and how these can isolate investigators and their teams – making workflows slow and results difficult to achieve. To summarize: Technology vendors and partners can help bring users and teams out of their isolation through a focus on integration.  If we give more users the best, fully integrated tools, along with the ability to share information, experience and workload with other specialists, the users get a smoother and more effective workflow. And, most importantly, quicker and better results.

At Griffeye, a vision of integrated tools for all users is something we live by, and especially when we work together with partners such as Magnet Forensics on initiatives like Project VIC, which lets users make the most of the best tools available.

Taking it to the next level

But if such a joint data model for communication between tools is the first step towards integration, the next step is to fully automate the workflow to reach even faster and better investigations. Too often, tools can be integrated but that still involves a process of manually exporting and importing data, which takes time and disrupts the investigator’s work. But through automation we create the best possible scenario for achieving results: Getting the right user, the right data and the right tools, all in the right place and at the right time.

Putting the flow into workflow

We know that seamless, automatic integration can lead to great solutions for users. One example has been our partnership with Amped Software and their Amped FIVE forensic image and video enhancement tool. Through automation, we let rich information flow easily from one tool to the other, from Amped FIVE to Analyze DI and the other way around. And it has given investigators the possibility to leverage state-of-the-art tools in an even faster, more efficient analysis of images and videos in a single workflow.

“For me, automation is the obvious next step in the development of tools and solutions for digital investigations. But it isn’t just the future – it’s needed today.”

Automatic for the people

For me, automation is the obvious next step in the development of tools and solutions for digital investigations. But it isn’t just the future – it’s needed today. The volume of digital information is still increasing relentlessly, as is the pressure on investigators to get results.

As vendors and technology partners, I believe we need to rise to the challenge and work together to help automate and speed up our users’ workflows. For our part, Griffeye has developed Analyze CMD (Command), a data orchestration tool that can help fully automate workflows involving the Analyze platform and other valuable tools. And we hope many partners and systems integrators will make use of Analyze CMD to bring the full value of their great tools and solutions to the digital investigators who are working to make life safer and better for all of us.