Data Recovery Course

Lesson 1 • File Systems and Data Organization

Explains how operating systems organize data through file systems. Understanding metadata structures is essential for locating recoverable content.

Lesson 2 • Data Loss Severity Assessment

Teaches triage methods to rate loss severity before touching the affected device. Proper assessment prevents actions that reduce recoverability.

Lesson 3 • Common Causes of Data Loss

Catalogs logical, physical, and environmental causes of data loss. Accurate cause identification determines the correct recovery pathway.

Lesson 1 • Electrostatic and Physical Safety

Covers ESD precautions, anti-static equipment, and safe transport packaging. These practices prevent secondary damage during handling.

Lesson 2 • Write Blocking and Read-Only Access

Explains hardware and software write blockers and when each is appropriate. Write blocking is the single most critical step before any imaging attempt.

Lesson 3 • Chain of Custody Documentation

Defines documentation standards for tracking media from intake to return. Proper records support both professional accountability and legal admissibility.

Lesson 1 • File Carving Methods

Introduces signature-based carving to recover files without file system metadata. Carving is the fallback when directory structures are unrecoverable.

Lesson 2 • File System Repair and Reconstruction

Teaches repair of damaged file system metadata using both built-in and third-party tools. Successful repair restores native OS access to recovered data.

Lesson 3 • Deleted File Recovery Principles

Explains how deletion works at the file system level and why data persists. This knowledge underpins all software-based file recovery strategies.

Lesson 4 • Logical Recovery Tool Workflows

Applies leading recovery software in structured workflows on practice images. Hands-on repetition builds speed and accuracy for client-facing work.

Lesson 1 • Cleanroom Environment and Tools

Defines cleanroom standards, equipment, and personal protective requirements for HDD work. Contamination control is mandatory before any drive is opened.

Lesson 2 • SSD and Flash Physical Recovery

Addresses chip-off and NAND reading techniques for failed SSDs and embedded flash. Flash recovery requires understanding controller-specific data encoding.

Lesson 3 • Unstable Drive Imaging Strategies

Presents techniques for imaging drives with bad sectors, intermittent faults, or degraded heads. Adaptive imaging maximizes data yield before a drive fails completely.

Lesson 4 • PCB and Firmware Repair

Teaches PCB swap procedures and ROM transfer to restore drive electronics. Correct ROM handling preserves drive-specific calibration data critical for access.

Lesson 1 • RAID Parameter Identification

Teaches methods to identify unknown RAID parameters from raw disk images. Correct parameter identification is required before any reconstruction attempt.

Lesson 2 • RAID Fundamentals and Failure Modes

Reviews RAID levels 0 through 6 and nested variants, including their failure tolerances. Understanding parity and striping logic is prerequisite to manual reconstruction.

Lesson 3 • NAS and Proprietary Volume Recovery

Covers recovery from NAS appliances using vendor-specific file systems and volume managers. Proprietary formats require additional decoding steps before standard tools apply.

Lesson 1 • Physical Mobile Extraction Methods

Teaches JTAG, ISP, and chip-off extraction for locked or damaged mobile devices. Physical methods bypass software locks but require hardware skill and precision.

Lesson 2 • Mobile Device Storage Architecture

Explains eMMC, UFS, and NVMe storage used in mobile devices and their recovery implications. Architecture knowledge determines which extraction method is feasible.

Lesson 3 • Logical and Backup-Based Mobile Recovery

Covers ADB, iTunes, and cloud backup extraction as the least invasive mobile recovery paths. Backup-based recovery is always attempted before physical methods.

Lesson 1 • Encryption Fundamentals for Recovery

Explains full-disk, file-level, and container encryption as they affect recoverability. Recovery is only possible with valid keys, credentials, or recoverable key material.

Lesson 2 • Corrupted Archive and Database Recovery

Teaches repair of damaged ZIP, RAR, and database files using structural analysis. Partial recovery of corrupted containers often yields the majority of stored data.

Lesson 3 • Recovering Encrypted Volume Access

Covers key material extraction, header backup restoration, and credential recovery for common encryption platforms. Restoring access is prerequisite to any data extraction.

Lesson 1 • Recovery Reporting and Deliverables

Teaches construction of technical recovery reports and client-facing summaries. Clear deliverables demonstrate professionalism and support post-recovery disputes.

Lesson 2 • Pricing, Quoting, and Business Operations

Covers cost estimation models, service tier design, and operational overhead management. Sound business practices sustain a professional data recovery operation.

Lesson 3 • Client Intake and Expectation Setting

Covers intake interviews, loss scenario documentation, and realistic outcome communication. Accurate expectation setting prevents disputes and builds client trust.

Lesson 4 • Case Workflow and Progress Tracking

Defines a structured case lifecycle from triage through delivery with milestone checkpoints. Consistent workflow reduces errors and supports team collaboration.