Jump Bag

One-liner: A pre-packed kit of tools, media, and supplies used by incident responders to collect evidence and contain threats quickly.

🎯 What Is It?

A portable kit prepared for rapid deployment to an onsite or remote incident, containing storage media, adapters, imaging and analysis tools, documentation, and essentials for safe handling.

🤔 Why It Matters

• Reduces time-to-first-action during incidents.
• Ensures consistent, compliant evidence handling with the right tools on hand.
• Helps responders work in constrained or varied environments.

🔬 How It Works

Core Principles

1. Standardised contents tailored to org environment.
2. Periodic audits and refresh (media, software versions).
3. Secure, controlled storage and access.

Typical Contents

• Media: encrypted USB/SSD for evidence copies.
• Forensics: FTK Imager, The Sleuth Kit, write blockers.
• Networking: cables, adapters, network tap.
• Utilities: screwdrivers, labels, tamper-evident seals.
• Docs: Chain of Custody forms, IR playbooks, contact lists.

🛡️ Detection & Prevention

How to Prevent / Mitigate

• Maintain a packing checklist; test tools periodically.
• Pre-stage clean, patched laptops with admin access.

🎤 Interview Angles

• "What would you put in an IR jump bag and why?"

✅ Best Practices

• Keep duplicates for redundancy (cables, media).
• Label everything; track device serials in inventory.

❌ Common Misconceptions

• It’s just software — physical tools and documentation matter equally.

🔗 Related Concepts

• Incident Response
• Chain of Custody