Learning to Work with Legacy Media and Forensic Imaging (Online)

As the mediums in which digital media is produced and shared evolve rapidly, legacy media is becoming an increasingly pressing issue in cultural heritage institutions in terms of their long-term care. Most institutions hold large holdings of legacy media sitting in seldom-visited boxes and shelves, risking the potential loss of their contents.  

Designed for digital preservation professionals, archivists, librarians, and cultural heritage practitioners responsible for born-digital materials, this workshop introduces forensic imaging workflows. The workshop is based on live demonstrations on a professional forensic workstation as well as open-source software that will help participants become familiar with various interfaces, workflows, and troubleshooting steps.  

This course will take place 11:00-16:00 GMT on 26th February 2026. 

Payment using the Online Store can only be completed via Visa and Mastercard Credit/Debit Card or PayPal.   If you have not previously created an account for the Online Store, you will need to create an account to make a booking.  

^RITM0761661

Course Description

Topics Covered 
• Understanding digital storage media and imaging concepts 
• Safe handling and write blocking to prevent data alteration 
• Hardware and software to image legacy media (e.g., CDs, floppy disks, hard drives) including setting up forensic imaging stations in small institutional settings 
• Creating and verifying checksums to ensure image integrity 
• Troubleshooting unreadable or failing media 
• Mounting images and considerations around access 
• Running analysis on forensic images and its potential for research 

Workshop Activities 
• Conceptual Overview: Core principles of forensic imaging and digital preservation workflows 
• Live Imaging Demonstrations: Step-by-step FRED workstation imaging sessions, showing how different tools handle floppy disks, CDs, and hard drives 
• Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and addressing common issues with failing or partially readable media 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need to install any software before the workshop? 
No. All demonstrations will be livestreamed, and no pre-installation is required. Optionally, participants may wish to download Autopsy to follow a forensic analysis demonstration. Instructions will be emailed to participants. 

Do I need physical legacy media to participate? 
No. Sample images and logs will be shared for demonstration purposes, but participants with access to legacy disks are encouraged to practice independently following the session. 

Are there discounted places available? 
Yes, we are able to evaluate cases for discounted places, particularly for participants from Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries. Please email digitalpreservation@soton.ac.uk with a brief note on your situation and we will offer you a discounted ticket.