Vercel traced a customer-impacting breach to a compromised OAuth app, while investigators in India linked abusive Google Drive activity to specific IP records. Police dismantled mule-account fraud networks, and a Scattered Spider member entered a guilty plea. Meanwhile, Bluesky faced DDoS disruption and UK officials advanced board-level cyber-resilience expectations across major organisations nationwide.

This briefing examines Version 2 of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Statutory Code of Practice through the lens of the digital forensics practitioner. It explains why the Code exists, outlines key changes from Version 1, and critically analyses the requirements that directly affect digital investigations, evidential integrity, quality management, and courtroom admissibility.

NAO’s Home Office 2024–25 overview highlights digital transformation and elevated risks for investigations. LEDS and HOB migrations, Hendon data-centre exit, and ESN delays affect evidence integrity and incident communications. Principal risks—cyber threats, data quality, and insider activity—demand stronger governance, forensic readiness, and skills. Recommendations: standardised toolsets, AI governance, immutable logging, dual-running comms, and whole-system cyber exercises across forces and departments.