WILDFIRE DATA RECOVERY
Forensic Data Recovery & E-Discovery Services
Court-Admissible Digital Evidence. Trusted by Law Firms, Corporates & Investigators.
"Welcome to Wildfire Data Recovery, Brisbane's trusted provider of expert forensic data recovery solutions. We specialise in examining digital evidence from mobile, cloud, computer, and vehicle sources, alongside third-party extractions all in one case file."
When important digital evidence goes missing, gets deleted, or is locked away with tough encryption, getting it back quickly and accurately is crucial. At Wildfire Data Recovery, we’re here to help! We specialise in forensic data recovery that goes beyond just restoring files. Our friendly team combines technical know-how with certified forensic protocols to recover, analyse, and preserve digital evidence in a legally admissible way. Let us help you get your digital data back!
Comprehensive digital evidence recovery from all sources. We recover what others can't find.
Vendor-Specific Certifications:
-
Certified Computer Forensics Examiner
Top-Tier Forensic Certifications:
-
EnCE (EnCase Certified Examiner)
-
GCFA (GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst)
-
GCFE (GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner)
-
CCFE (Certified Computer Forensics Examiner)
-
CCE (Certified Computer Examiner) - Provided by the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners
Certifications in forensic data recovery aren’t just credentials — they’re a form of trust, accountability, and legal credibility. In the forensic world, where evidence may be used in court or influence the outcome of legal disputes, every step must be technically sound and legally defensible.
WHAT IS DATA FORENSICS?
Data forensics, also known as computer forensics, refers to the study or investigation of digital data and how it is created and used. Data forensics is a broad term, as it encompasses identifying, preserving, recovering, analysing, and presenting attributes of digital information. In regard to data recovery, data forensics can be conducted on mobile devices, computers, servers, and any other storage device.
Data forensics can also be used in instances involving the tracking of phone calls, texts, or emails travelling through a network. Digital forensics professionals may use decryption, reverse engineering, advanced system searches, and other high-level analysis in their data forensics process.
DIGITAL EVIDENCE: UNDERSTANDING TWO CRITICAL DATA TYPES
In data forensics, investigators must navigate two distinct categories of digital evidence. Understanding these differences is crucial for successful recovery and analysis.
Persistent Data
Persistent data refers to information that is permanently saved on storage devices like hard drives, SSDs, and other forms of media. This type of data remains intact even after a computer is shut down or loses power. Due to its enduring nature, it is generally easier to locate, safeguard, and examine. Even if such data is deleted, it can often still be recovered using specialised forensic tools.
Persistent data is durable and remains accessible until it is deliberately overwritten or destroyed. It can survive system restarts and power failures, making it easier to locate, preserve, and examine during forensic investigations. Even when users attempt to delete this data, specialised forensic tools can often recover it, providing valuable insights.
Common Examples of Persistent Data:
-
Files and Documents: These include items like Word documents, PDF files, images, and spreadsheets.
- Databases: This includes structured data in SQL databases, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and accounting software.
- Browser History: This can involve cached web pages, files that have been downloaded, and saved login credentials.
- Email Archives: These are stored emails, including attachments and associated contact lists.
Forensic Importance of Persistent Data:
Persistent data plays a critical role in digital forensic investigations. Since it remains stored on devices even after shutdowns or reboots, investigators can analyse this data to uncover evidence of user activity, communications, transactions, and other digital footprints. Its recoverability—even after intentional deletion—makes it a primary target during forensic data acquisition and analysis. By using specialised tools and techniques, experts can often retrieve deleted or hidden persistent data to support legal, criminal, or internal investigations.
THE GOLDEN RULES OUR FORENSIC TEAMS LIVE BY:
Effective data recovery requires not only advanced tools but also strict adherence to best practices to protect data integrity, maximise recovery success, and maintain legal defensibility, particularly in forensic cases. The following are widely accepted best practices for data recovery teams:
1. Follow the Principle of 'Do No Harm'
Always ensure the original device is preserved in its current state. Avoid any unnecessary power-ons or software scans directly on the device. Where possible, create a forensic-grade sector-by-sector image first, working only from this clone.
2. Perform Comprehensive Diagnostics Before Action
At Wildfire Data Recovery, we begin every recovery case with a complete diagnostic process to identify whether the issue is physical, electrical, firmware, or logical. This prevents incorrect actions that could worsen the damage or jeopardise data.
3. Prioritise Imaging Over Logical Repairs
Always perform a complete bit-by-bit image of the affected device before attempting any file system repairs or data extraction. Imaging captures the data exactly as it exists, including damaged sectors, ensuring nothing is lost during the recovery process.
4. Use Write-Blockers and Forensic Tools When Needed
In forensic or sensitive cases, use certified write-blockers and forensic acquisition tools to prevent accidental changes to the source device. Always document the tool versions and settings used.
5. Handle Encryption with Caution
When our engineers work with encrypted devices, they carefully preserve metadata, headers, and key sectors essential for decryption. Any corruption to these areas can render all data unrecoverable.
6. Maintain Chain of Custody and Documentation
For every recovery job, especially forensic ones, maintain a detailed log of all steps taken, including images captured, tools used, hashes generated, and technician notes. This ensures transparency, legal defensibility, and repeatability.
7. Never Attempt Repairs on Originals
All logical repairs, partition rebuilds, or metadata corrections must be performed only on verified images or clones. This protects the integrity of the original data in case recovery steps fail or cause unintended data loss.
8. Preserve Evidence and Hash Verification
When we handle forensic data, we always create and verify hashes (MD5, SHA1, SHA256) of both the source and image to ensure data authenticity and integrity. This is critical for court-admissible evidence.
Our forensic division is led by ACE Lab Certified Engineers, IACRB-certified forensic analysts, and ADISA-qualified data recovery professionals with real-world experience in digital investigations. Our team brings together backgrounds in cybersecurity, mobile forensics, electronics engineering, and advanced data carving. We routinely work with sensitive cases that demand not just technical skill, but discretion, attention to chain-of-custody, and the ability to provide detailed, expert-level reporting.
NO DATA? NO FEE POLICY!
Call now for a free quote
THE DATA FORENSICS INVESTIGATION PROCESS
At Wildfire Data Recovery, when we undertake a forensic investigation, we follow a strict four-stage methodology that reflects the same standards used by global law enforcement, government, and enterprise organisations. Our engineers understand that evidence integrity and procedural rigour are paramount, and from the moment your device enters our lab, we treat it as critical evidence—meticulously protected, verified, and documented at every stage.
1. ACQUISITION
The first phase is Acquisition, where our engineers create a forensic image of your device. This isn't just a standard backup or copy. We use specialised hardware write-blockers, ensuring your original data is never altered, even at the microscopic level.
-
ISOLATION: By isolating the device from any writing capabilities, we protect the integrity of the evidence from the start. Throughout this process, we log every handling of your device, building a chain of custody that documents precisely who, when, and how the evidence was accessed.
-
HASHING: To ensure that the copy we work from is an exact, mathematically verifiable duplicate of your device, we calculate cryptographic hashes like SHA-256, which act as digital fingerprints. This means any changes, no matter how small, would be immediately detectable.
2. EXAMINATION
Once we have your forensic image, our engineers begin the Examination phase. This is where we extract, process, and sift through the data. Using forensic-grade tools like Magnet Forensic, Cellebrite UFED or Digital Collector, Belkasoft, Autopsy, and Oxygen Forensic Detective. We recover deleted files, reconstruct timelines, and expose hidden artifacts that can reveal crucial insights.
-
It’s not just about the files you can see—it's about uncovering the files you can't see, the traces left behind in system logs, metadata, and residual data that often tell the real story. We also look for patterns, run keyword searches, and map connections across multiple data sources, giving us a broader picture of digital behaviour and activity on the device.
Some of the forensic tools we use to aid our clients in obtaining forensic data from mobile phones, tablets and hard drives.
From there, our team moves into ANALYSIS, where we interpret and correlate the evidence we've gathered. This is where our engineers use their investigative skills to cross-reference data, reconstruct user actions, and establish clear timelines of events.
We aim to answer the key investigative questions you or your legal team might have—what happened, when, how, and who was involved. This stage often involves analysing behaviour patterns, identifying anomalies, and testing theories against the evidence at hand. Our goal is always to produce findings that are defensible, evidence-backed, and leave no room for speculation.
An example of our forensic toolkit onsite carry-bag.
3. REPORTING
Finally, in the Reporting stage, we turn our technical findings into clear, concise, and court-ready reports. Whether it's an executive summary for your board, a technical breakdown for your IT department, or legal affidavits prepared for litigation, our engineers ensure that the presentation of the data is appropriate for your audience.
Where needed, we support our reports with visual diagrams, reconstructed event timelines, and actionable recommendations to strengthen your organisation's security posture or assist in legal proceedings.
Throughout the entire process, we apply the same quality assurance protocols that have earned Wildfire Data Recovery a reputation for precision and integrity. Every stage of the investigation is documented, the chain of custody is maintained from start to finish, and the integrity of the data is verified at each step through hash validation.
Our engineers keep exhaustive logs of every action taken, ensuring that our work can stand up to scrutiny in any forum—whether it’s court, regulatory inquiry, or an internal investigation.
"Forensic data recovery isn't just about retrieving files — it's about uncovering the digital truth, even when someone tried to erase it."
Viktor Burcevski - Owner WDR
Certified forensic analysts are trained to follow internationally recognised protocols for imaging, analysis, evidence handling, and reporting — ensuring that nothing is altered, omitted, or improperly obtained. Without these certifications, evidence could be dismissed as inadmissible, or worse, compromise the integrity of an investigation.
NOTE: The water source can impact data recovery efforts. If the water contains chemicals or other contaminants, it may cause further damage to the device and reduce the chances of successful data recovery. Similarly, saltwater can cause corrosion and damage to the device's internal components, making data recovery more challenging.
OUR WILDFIRE DATA - EXPERT FORENSIC RECOVERY TIPS & METHODS
Click on the below + to show much more detail and some real-world, forensic cases Wildifre Data Recovery has performed for our clients.
FORENSIC DATA RECOVERY SERVICES WE OFFER
At our data recovery centre, we prioritize the confidentiality and security of your data. We employ stringent data privacy protocols and ensure a safe and secure environment for the recovery process. We believe in transparent communication and keep you informed throughout the recovery process, providing detailed updates on the status of your data retrieval.
Whether you're an individual user or a business owner relying on your iMac or MacBook for critical operations, we tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Our goal is to provide you with a seamless data recovery experience and restore your lost data in the quickest and most efficient manner possible.
Wildfire Data Recovery has proven its ability to recover data from iMacs, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs even in the most challenging situations, thanks to our technical expertise and powerful tools. Modern Apple computers are equipped with SSDs for improved performance and are powered by either an Apple M-series chip or an Intel processor. Moreover, recent SSDs in Apple’s notebook computers have hardware-based encryption to protect user's private data. However, retrieving the encrypted files can be a complicated process that requires the assistance of experts in Apple laptop data recovery. This is where Wildfire Data Recovery can help.
WE RECOVER DATA FROM ALL THE BELOW APPLE COMPUTER MODELS
iMac Data Recovery Models
iMac Desktop Models for Data Recovery
iMac (Intel-based Models)
-
iMac (Early 2006)
-
iMac (Late 2006)
-
iMac (Mid 2007)
-
iMac (Early 2008)
-
iMac (Early 2009)
-
iMac (Late 2009)
-
iMac (Mid 2010)
-
iMac (Mid 2011)
-
iMac (Late 2012)
-
iMac (Late 2013)
-
iMac (Mid 2014)
-
iMac (Late 2015)
-
iMac (Mid 2017)
iMac with Retina Display
-
iMac Retina 5K (Late 2014)
-
iMac Retina 5K (Mid 2015)
-
iMac Retina 4K (Late 2015)
-
iMac Retina 4K (Mid 2017)
-
iMac Retina 5K (Mid 2017)
-
iMac Retina 4K (2019)
-
iMac Retina 5K (2019)
-
iMac (Early 2006)
-
iMac (Late 2006)
-
iMac (Mid 2007)
-
iMac (Early 2008)
-
iMac (Early 2009)
-
iMac (Late 2009)
-
iMac (Mid 2010)
-
iMac (Mid 2011)
-
iMac (Late 2012)
-
iMac (Late 2013)
-
iMac (Mid 2014)
-
iMac (Late 2015)
-
iMac (Mid 2017)
Services We Provide for These Models
-
Recovery from Fusion Drives, SSDs, and HDDs
-
Resolution of macOS-specific issues such as failed updates or corrupted partitions
-
Data retrieval from APFS file systems and encrypted drives
-
Recovery for hardware malfunctions like logic board or T2 chip failures
If your iMac model isn’t listed here, don’t worry! Contact us with your specific device details, and we’ll provide a customised data recovery solution tailored to your needs.
iMac Mini Data Recovery
Mac mini Models for Data Recovery
Mac mini (Intel-Based Models)
-
Mac mini (Early 2006)
-
Mac mini (Late 2006)
-
Mac mini (Mid 2007)
-
Mac mini (Early 2009)
-
Mac mini (Late 2009)
-
Mac mini (Mid 2010)
-
Mac mini (Mid 2011)
-
Mac mini (Late 2012)
-
Mac mini (Late 2014)
-
Mac mini (2018)
Mac mini with M1 Chip
-
Mac mini (M1, 2020)
Mac mini with M2 Chip
-
Mac mini (M2, 2023)
-
Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023)
Services We Provide for These Models
-
Recovery from Fusion Drives, SSDs, and HDDs
-
Restoration of data lost due to macOS failures, including failed updates and reinstallation issues
-
Resolution of APFS and HFS+ file system corruption
-
Data recovery from encrypted drives, including T2 and Secure Enclave systems
-
Hardware-related recovery for logic board failures, drive failures, or storage device malfunctions
If your Mac mini model isn’t listed here, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team can create a customised recovery plan based on your specific needs and hardware configuration.
Mac mini: A small, standalone desktop computer introduced in 2005, which requires an external display, keyboard, and mouse. The latest Mac mini models include: Mac mini (M1, 2020): Introduced with Apple’s M1 chip. Mac mini (M2, 2023) and Mac mini (M2 Pro, 2023): These models are the latest as of 2023.
Mac mini Models for Data Recovery
Mac Pro Data Recovery Models
iMac Pro (2017)
-
iMac Pro (2017, 8-Core)
-
iMac Pro (2017, 10-Core)
-
iMac Pro (2017, 14-Core)
-
iMac Pro (2017, 18-Core)
Apple’s workstation-class desktop is designed for the most demanding professional workloads.
Services We Provide for These Models
-
Recovery from APFS file systems and encrypted drives, including T2 chip-secured storage
-
Restoration of data from Fusion Drives, SSDs, and HDDs
-
Recovery from macOS-specific issues, such as failed updates, corrupted volumes, or installation errors
-
Data retrieval following logic board failures, hardware malfunctions, or SSD controller issues
-
Advanced diagnostics and customised recovery solutions for professional workloads, such as video editing files, CAD designs, or large-scale datasets
While we can help in many situations, unfortunately, data recovery isn't always possible from all models of APPLE iMac, MacBook or MacBook Pro devices. Please get in touch with our data recovery team if you want to know if your device is supported.
A NOTE ON MACBOOK DATA RECOVERY AND DATA ENCRYPTION:
"All modern Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads, feature a robust hardware-based encryption layer integrated into the device, ensuring the security of user data."
MacBooks employ a comprehensive range of encryption technologies to fortify data security and privacy. At the core is FileVault, a full-disk encryption system utilizing XTS-AES-128 encryption with a 256-bit key, safeguarding the entire startup disk and its contents, including the operating system and applications. This encryption is facilitated through the Apple File System (APFS), ensuring robust protection of data at rest. Complementing this, Apple integrates a Secure Enclave, particularly on T2 chip-equipped MacBooks, managing encryption keys and bolstering the security of various operations.
iCloud data, encompassing photos, documents, and backups, is handled through end-to-end encryption, guaranteeing that only authorized users possess the decryption keys. Additionally, features like Messages, FaceTime, and Keychain implement end-to-end encryption, further solidifying data privacy. Secure Boot and UEFI Secure Boot mechanisms, alongside Gatekeeper and Code Signing, fortify the integrity of the operating system and applications, ensuring a robust defence against unauthorized access and tampering. These layers of encryption collectively establish a formidable defence, assuring users of the highest levels of data protection and system security on their MacBooks.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT UPON DATA RECOVERY?
The robust encryption measures integrated into iMacs and MacBooks pose significant challenges for data recovery specialists and forensic experts attempting to retrieve data from these devices, especially in scenarios where the user has implemented strong security practices or encountered issues that require data recovery:
-
Full Disk Encryption (FileVault): FileVault encrypts the entire startup disk, making it extremely difficult to access any data without the correct encryption key or recovery key. Data recovery efforts would essentially require cracking the encryption, which is highly complex and time-consuming.
-
End-to-End Encryption (iCloud, Messages, FaceTime): The end-to-end encryption used for iCloud data, Messages, and FaceTime means that the data is encrypted on the device itself, and only the user possesses the decryption keys. Without these keys, data recovery specialists cannot decrypt the data stored in these services.
-
Secure Enclave: The Secure Enclave provides an additional layer of security by handling encryption keys and sensitive operations. Accessing or manipulating this hardware-secured component is exceptionally challenging, even for skilled data recovery specialists.
-
Advanced Encryption Standards (AES): The use of AES-128 or AES-256 encryption for FileVault and other encryption processes is based on strong encryption algorithms. Breaking these encryption standards without the encryption keys is considered practically infeasible within a reasonable time frame.
-
Keychain Encryption: Keychain stores sensitive information, but its encryption is designed to be extremely secure. Accessing this encrypted data without the correct user credentials is a formidable challenge.
Wildfire Data Recovery specialists face a daunting task when attempting to recover data from MacBooks due to these strong encryption measures. We help find the necessary encryption keys or decrypt recovery mechanisms.
APPLE SECURE ENCLAVE
The Secure Enclave is a dedicated secure subsystem in the latest versions of iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch and HomePod. The Secure Enclave is a dedicated secure subsystem integrated into Apple systems on chip (SoCs). The Secure Enclave is isolated from the main processor to provide an extra layer of security and is designed to keep sensitive user data secure even when the Application Processor kernel becomes compromised. It follows the same design principles as the SoC does — a Boot ROM to establish a hardware root of trust, an AES engine for efficient and secure cryptographic operations and protected memory. Although the Secure Enclave doesn’t include storage, it has a mechanism to store information securely on attached storage separate from the NAND flash storage that’s used by the Application Processor and operating system.
The Secure Enclave is a hardware feature of most versions of iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch and HomePod — namely:
-
iPhone 5s or later
-
iPad Air or later
-
MacBook Pro computers with Touch Bar (2016 and 2017) that contain the Apple T1 Chip
-
Intel-based Mac computers that contain the Apple T2 Security Chip
-
Mac computers with Apple silicon
-
Apple TV HD or later
-
Apple Watch Series 1 or later
-
HomePod and HomePod mini
SECURE ENCLAVE PROCESSOR
The Secure Enclave Processor provides the main computing power for the Secure Enclave. To provide the strongest isolation, the Secure Enclave Processor is dedicated solely for Secure Enclave use. This helps prevent side-channel attacks that depend on malicious software sharing the same execution core as the target software under attack.
The Secure Enclave Processor runs an Apple-customised version of the L4 microkernel. It’s designed to operate efficiently at a lower clock speed which helps to protect it against clock and power attacks. The Secure Enclave Processor, starting with the A11 and S4, includes a memory-protected engine and encrypted memory with anti-replay capabilities, secure boot, a dedicated random number generator and its own AES engine.
"You may only get one shot at recovering your precious data...so choose wisely."
IMPLEMENTATION AND DESIGN OF A DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN:
Data recovery services, such as those provided by Wildfire Data Recovery, are crucial for small and medium-sized businesses. Having a data recovery plan should be as critical as proper accountkeeping. Why is having an Apple MAC data recovery services plan crucial for your business, particularly for MacBook Pro and MacBook series machines?
-
Expertise and Specialized Knowledge: Apple MAC data recovery requires specialized skills, knowledge, and experience. Wildfire Data Recovery has expertise in dealing with complex iMac, MacBook and MacBook Pro failures and the intricacies of data recovery techniques specific to Apple computer systems. We understand the internal workings of Apple machines and their architecture and have access to specialized tools and equipment necessary for successful recovery.
-
Maximize Data Recovery Success: Losing important data can be a daunting experience, especially when dealing with interconnected drives and complex Apple products. Our Wildfire Data Recovery engineers have the necessary expertise and employ advanced techniques to increase the likelihood of a successful data recovery. They can navigate the complexities of RAID systems and handle intricate recovery processes, ensuring the best possible outcome for your lost data.
-
Minimize Downtime and Business Impact: Many of our small business client know that RAID data loss can have severe consequences for their businesses, resulting in significant downtime, operational disruptions, and potential financial losses. Engaging professional data recovery services helps minimize the impact by reducing the time required for data recovery. Swift and efficient recovery can ensure business continuity, minimize productivity losses, and help restore critical operations promptly.
-
Handle Complex Apple RAID Configurations: Apple does not traditionally offer RAID systems as standalone products as some other manufacturers do. However, Apple's macOS operating system does support software RAID configurations that users can set up using Disk Utility. These configurations allow users to combine multiple hard drives into a single logical volume for enhanced performance, redundancy, or a combination of both.
❗️Given the intricate nature of RAID systems and the potential impact of data loss, professional data recovery services and RAID data recovery plans, play a vital role in successfully recovering critical data, minimizing downtime, and ensuring the integrity and availability of valuable information for businesses.
DATA RECOVERY PRICING
CALL TODAY FOR A CUSTOM QUOTE
Our prices START at $190, depending on the reason and complexity of the failure. All data recovery pricing is based on complexity. Therefore the more complex the issue, the higher the cost for data recovery and the longer it may take to recover. Our services also have faster Priority, and Emergency Service options which can have a higher cost in order to push your device at "the front of the line" to get faster results. These options are usually taken up by our business and corporate clients. In summary, cost will depend on the type of problem your hard drive presents to us with and how quickly you need the data back. We offer a FREE assessment and quote on all recoveries.
At Wildfire DATA Recovery we never provide an official quote until our engineers have had an opportunity to diagnose your hard drive within our workshop. While we can provide estimations based on our client's descriptions of their hard drive issues, these will most likely change once our engineers evaluate your hard drive.
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CUSTOM QUOTE
About Us
Founded in Brisbane in 2018 by certified digital forensic specialist Viktor Burcevski, Wildfire has become Australia’s trusted name in complex forensic data recovery. Whether assisting law firms, corporate clients, government departments, or grieving families, our mission is to retrieve and preserve the invisible digital footprints left behind — with the precision, confidentiality, and legal validity required in the courtroom.
Get a Quote
Please fill in the below details and click send. Within a few minutes, one of our engineers will contact you and guide you through the process of data recovery. No upfront costs, no obligation, just results.