1. Serving the European Market since 2003.
an introduction to
ireland’s
data recovery
experts

2. Ciarán Kennedy
Technical Director
ciaran@criticaldata.ie
+353 87 2643487
Critical Data Services
I would like to introduce you to Critical Data Services, Ireland’s leading data recovery service provider.
With a customer base spanning home users to corporate and law enforcement organisations at
home and abroad, we offer industry-leading service at competitive pricing.
Critical Data Services is a business that has been built on strong technical reputation and with a clear
focus on service excellence. Both factors are crucial in maintaining our position as leaders in the area
of data recovery and data extraction.
We would be delighted if you could come visit our site at some time convenient to you, as we place
great emphasis on operational transparency to all of our clients. Meeting our key staff members and
seeing the facilities that we have put in place will allow you to get the best possible insight into our
technical operation and customer-centric systems.
Our data recovery systems are always the best available. With hard drive technology constantly
becoming more complex, we invest significantly in technology every year to ensure that we remain
at the leading edge of data recovery. This means that we continue to maximise success rates as disk
technology moves forward.
No matter how much time we spend on your recovery task post-evaluation, there will be no pro-
fessional recovery fee if we can’t retrieve the data you need! We offer a no quibble refund of any
charges paid if we don’t get your data back and another company, anywhere in the world, success-
fully recovers your data from the same device within 6 months.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
|| 1890 237100 | www.criticaldata.ie | recovery@criticaldata.ie ||
Critical Data Services :: The Experts in Data Recovery
719 Northwest Business Park
Kilshane Way
Ballycoolin
Dublin 15

3. World-Class Facilities
The key technical attributes of a professional
data recovery business are technically compe-
tent engineers using the best available tools and
systems in the correct environment.
As storage technology moves forward, so too
must the tools and systems required to enable
recovery. Coupled with this technology element
is the absolute necessity for a controlled envi-
ronment for performing work on the internal
components of a hard drive.
CDS has invested heavily in laboratory facilities
in Dublin while the technology investment is
always ongoing.
This combination of specialist skills, operational
transparency, technology and recognised lab facil-
ities is what makes CDS truly unique globally
We always welcome client visits, and encourage
all potential clients to ask other companies about
their facilities and the possibility of a visit.
Security of your data is a priority for us. Our Data
Recovery Lab is equipped with HD CCTV as well as
multi-point biometric access. Externally, there are
also several layers of physical security to prevent
unauthorised access to the lab.

4. World-Class Engineering
We place great emphasis on a high level of
personalised and friendly customer service.
We’re happy to tell you everything you need
to know about your data loss situation in
detail.
At CDS, you will always get to speak with a
friendly technical member of staff who will
take time to give an accurate and honest
assessment of your data loss situation.
We employ only the most experienced Data
Recovery Engineers so you can be assured
that your drive is handled with the best care
possible.
Our team treats every drive as if it were their
own. We welcome you to visit our lab and to
speak to our engineers.
We recognise that finding the right service
provider can be a challenge. We place great
emphasis on trust and we endeavour to build
long-term relationships with our customers.
No other company in the world operates the
transparent model that we do and we guaran-
tee dedication to your data at all times.

5. Why Choose CDS?
Expert Service Guaranteed
You may only get one chance at recovery of your
valuable data so you should ensure that the most
qualified people evaluate the condition of your
damaged data storage device.
Critical Data employs only the most capable data
recovery engineers. No matter how much time
we spend on your recovery task post-evaluation,
there will be no professional recovery fee if we
can’t retrieve the data you need.
Industry-Leading Recovery Technology
You can be assured that our data recovery sys-
tems are the best available. With hard drive and
solid-state technology constantly becoming more
complex, we invest significantly in our hardware
and software tools to ensure that we remain at
the leading edge of data recovery. This means
that we continue to maximise success rates as
disk technology moves forward.
Deductible Evaluation Fee
Our evaluation fee is always deductible from your
recovery fee. Our single drive evaluation fee is
€50 incl VAT, while multi-disk system evaluation is
charged at €195 per disk ex VAT.
Personalised Technical Service
We place great emphasis on a high level of per-
sonalised and friendly customer service. We will
tell you everything you need to know about your
data loss situation in detail.
At CDS, you will always get to speak with a friendly
technical member of staff who will take time to
give an accurate and honest assessment of your
data loss situation.
Local Presence – Rapid Turnaround
We are the ONLY dedicated data recovery service
provider in Ireland, delivering savings of up to
60% on the cost of recovering data. We do not
outsource any work, nor are we a sister-company
or partner lab to anyone else.
We hold a large inventory of parts and drives to
ensure that your data is recovered as quickly as
possible. When time is critical, we offer same-day
courier service and online data availability.

6. Global Experience
Virtual Tour of our Cleanroom Laboratory Facilities
Hard drive recovery frequently requires partial or total disassembly of the affected hard drive.
This requires specific cleanroom laboratory facilities, which we have at our Dublin office.
Why not visit our website and check out our lab on our Google Street View!
Unique Money Back Guarantee
We offer a no quibble refund of all charges paid if we don’t get
your data back and another company, anywhere in the world,
successfully recovers your data from the same device within
6 months. How’s that for peace of mind?
Through our involvement in the formation of the GDRA, the
Global Data Recovery Alliance, we have access to almost 200
years of data recovery experience online – every day. If we
haven’t yet encountered a similar problem to yours, we can
very quickly speak with someone else who has. This gives you
the maximum possible chance of full data recovery. No other
company in Ireland has access to this technical resource base.

7. Shared Expertise - Superior Results
Critical Data Services :: The Experts in Data Recovery
Founded in 2005, the Global Data Recovery Alliance
is the world’s first professional association of inde-
pendent commercial data recovery experts.
With international members in 17 countries, GDRA’s
primary role is to provide a focus on the expertise
and skills of our members, while promoting the de-
velopment of our individual businesses in an open,
constructive and co-operative environment.
We believe that in doing this, we can provide our
customers with a superior and more customer-fo-
cused alternative to large multinational data re-
covery organisations that seek to monopolise the
international data recovery marketplace.
If we haven’t yet encountered a similar problem
to yours, we can very quickly speak with someone
else who has. This gives you the maximum possible
chance of full data recovery.
Sharing common equipment platforms for data
recovery enables members to maximise probability
of a full recovery of customer’s data.
In other words, when you send a hard drive or other
device for recovery to one of our members, you
may ultimately avail of the expertise and therefore
a combination of many years of intensive research
and development of all of our members.
Membership of GDRA is granted on the basis of ge-
ography, specialist expertise, hardware and software
facilities, training and customer focus.
Since only one data recovery specialist per country/
territory may avail of GDRA membership, by engag-
ing a GDRA member company, you are assured that
you are dealing with your local experts.

8. Critical Data Services :: The Experts in Data Recovery
From your initial enquiry to dispatch and re-instatement of your data, we are here to guide you through the
process step-by-step. Our focus on customer service and technical excellence ensure that you stay informed
as we recover your important data.
Launching in Q2 2015, our improved Job Tracking System will allow you to view the status of your recovery
job as it is being recovered. If you prefer to speak with the engineer working on your job, he will always be
happy to take your call and update you by phone.
So, how does it work?

9. Ciaran Kennedy
Position: Technical Director
Email: ciaran@criticaldata.ie
Phone: +353 87 2643487
Ciaran is responsible for overseeing the technical operation at CDS. He
also manages all eDiscovery projects and new process development.
A graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology, Ciaran holds a degree in
Business & Law.
Ronan Kennedy
Position: Managing Director
Email: ronan@criticaldata.ie
Phone: +353 87 9177941
Ronan is a Mechanical Engineer by training, but has regained a sense
of humour since leaving University College Dublin in 1993! Aside from
his duties as M.D., Ronan is actively involved in data recovery case
management.
Gerry Kavanagh
Position: Logistics & Customer Support
Email: gerry@criticaldata.ie
Phone: +353 1 8612280
Gerry keeps us all on our toes to meet customer requirements and is
responsible for managing all workflow in our lab from evaluation to
completion. Gerry studied Computer Science at Dublin City University
and brings vast experience to CDS.
Our Technical Team
Critical Data Services :: The Experts in Data Recovery
|| +353 1 861 2280 | www.criticaldata.ie | recovery@criticaldata.ie ||

10. Pal Fodor
Position: Senior Engineer
Email: pal@criticaldata.ie
Phone: +353 1 8612280 x103
Pal is the binary guru and senior hard drive engineer in our lab.
There’s rarely a problem that he won’t solve. His troubleshooting and
engineering skills are second-to-none and he isn’t far from living in our
lab full-time!
Pawel Jankowski
Position: Senior Engineer
Email: pawel@criticaldata.ie
Phone: +353 1 8612280 x105
Pawel is a native of Wroclaw, Poland, and is our all-around-tech-guru
with a passion for gadgets! Pawel has automated many processes at
CDS and brings vast data recovery and hardware experience to our
team.
Attila Fekete
Position: Recovery Engineer
Email: attila@criticaldata.ie
Phone: +353 1 8612280
Critical Data Services :: The Experts in Data Recovery
|| +353 1 861 2280 | www.criticaldata.ie | recovery@criticaldata.ie ||
Attila is the latest recruit to the CDS recovery team. Hailing from
Hungary, he is a graduate of Computer Science at the University of
Debrecen. In his spare time, Attila is a keen and talented photographer.

11. Data Recovery Do’s and Don’ts
Over the past decade, we have handled thousands of failed devices. We have seen lots of DIY attempts
which have gone badly wrong, so here is our advice for dealing with your data loss situation...
If you suspect something is wrong, call us! Our expert advice is always free and early inter-
vention can help to minimise costs and maximise recoverability.
If your hard drive is making clicking, grinding or whirring sounds, shut down the drive or your
computer immediately. These sounds could be the read/write heads hitting or scraping the
hard disk platters. Severe or complete data loss could result.
Do not disassemble or attempt to open the hard drive that has been damaged – improper
handling can make recovery operations more difficult and can lead to valuable information
being lost. We operate a Class 100 Cleanroom for this exact reason!
Avoid DIY remedies you may have seen on YouTube, such as placing a non-spinning hard
drive in a freezer or hitting a drive on its side. Much of this information is inaccurate and
while some may claim success, these suggestions may actually harm the device and could
lead to permanent data loss.
Don’t run SpinRite or any other “regeneration” programs on a failing drive. These programs
merely scan the surface and reallocate bad sectors. This causes intensive wear on the drive
and will accelerate drive failure, leading to more expensive recovery costs or an unrecover-
able drive.
Do not swap PCB’s between hard drives. Modern circuit boards contain unique “adaptive”
data and although the drive will spin, the drive will never initialise and may cause further
damage
Do not use data recovery software if the hard drive makes scraping, tapping, clicking or
humming sounds and never install any recovery software on the drive, you run the risk of
overwriting data!
If your hard drive is encrypted with Full Disk Encryption (FDE), don’t reformat or initialise the
disk. Don’t run any data recovery tools or attempt a FIXMBR command. This will overwrite
crucial data at the beginning of the drive. Finally, don’t attempt to force decrypt a failing disk.

12. RAID & NAS Systems
If you are unsure of the damage, do not try to reboot as this may cause further damage to
the array.
If a drive is making unusual mechanical sounds, shut it down immediately.
Log the failure and events/observations that preceded system failure.
Before removing drives from an array, label the drives position in the array making note of
any drives that have fallen offline. (Drives will be numbered starting with 0 Example: If you
have a 5 drive array they will be numbered 0-4)
Do not run repair or defrag utilities on suspected bad drives.
Do not swap or re-arrange the order of the drives in a multiple drive array as this may cause
overwriting.
Do not replace the failed drive with a drive that was part of a previous RAID system.
RAID Array Failure? Emergency Service available 24/7
On-Call engineers available on 087 2643487 / 087 9177941
If your RAID array has failed, call us for advice before you attempt any
repairs. We are always here to offer advice about your data loss.
CDS specialises in RAID recovery – restoring
mission-critical data from all manufacturers of
NAS and RAID arrays.
We understand the critical nature of these
types of system failures and offer unbeatable
turnaround, with data returned in many cases
within 24 hours depending on system configu-
ration and complexity.
Depending on their configuration, RAID arrays can
usually tolerate a single drive failure without im-
pact on the server’s availability on your network.
However, if more than one drive fails, the server
usually will no longer boot. You can try to recover
the data yourself, though we have frequently seen
this type of intervention result in permanent data
loss.

13. Hard Disk Failure Types
Magnetic Head Failure
A magnetic head is approximately the size of a grain of sugar and can be found
at the end of an arm that traverses backwards and forwards inside the hard
drive chassis to read and write magnetic information to all locations on the
rotating disk surface. MHA Failure requires Cleanroom intervention to replace
the failed component.
Spindle Motor Seizure
Motor seizure arises due to a sharp momentary increase in friction in the
motor/bearing mechanism in the hard drive. In most cases, the platters, heads,
magnets and controller card must be transplanted to a new hard drive housing
which provides a new motor, spindle and bearing. Such a transplant consti-
tutes a full disassembly of two hard drives (patient and the donor), as well as a
rebuild of the hybrid drive.
Electronic Circuit Board (PCB)
The printed circuit board (also known as ‘the PCB’ or ‘the controller’) provides
power to the hard drive motor and provides all of the functionality that al-
lows the hard drive to effectively manage the magnetic-electronic translation
process. Any over-voltage to the hard drive controller will usually result in the
controller failing immediately. Depending on the design of the circuit and the
severity of the over-voltage, different on-board components may be affected.
Service Area Failure
The Service Area is a restricted area on a drive that is used for storage of code
modules and other data structures whose function is to manage the initialisa-
tion and operation of the drive. A service area corruption can result from a bad
sector list overflow, and also from other similar errors in the drive’s self-man-
agement functionality while the drive is attempting to initialise. If such a mod-
ule is corrupt, the drive will not initialise correctly, and therefore will never
report in a ‘ready’ state.
File System Damage
This occurs when data has encountered corruption in very specific locations on
the device. This corruption usually results in the system not booting, or in the
file system not reporting file content as expected. Data recovery in this type of
case is a manual process and is labour intensive. It involves analysis of specific
recognisable data structures at byte-level and manipulation/correction of specif-
ic binary values to correct the defect(s).
As specialists in Data Recovery, we see a vast range of failures from all type of storage media. Whether a de-
vice is 1 week old or 10 years old, it is prone to failure! The most common types of failures that we see are:

14. Unit 719
Northwest Business Park
Kilshane Way
Ballycoolin
Dublin 15
Ireland
IRL: + 353 (1) 8612280
w: www.criticaldata.ie
e: tapelab@criticaldata.ie
t: @critical_data