The move, says the digital data forensics specialist, gives investigators the ability to perform forensic analysis and electronic discovery on the Apple portable devices while in the field.
Guidance claims that, according to a November survey of 1641 business information technology buyers, corporate use of tablet devices is set to double in the next three months.
Despite the flood of new tablets hitting the market, the Apple iPad remains the overwhelming choice of business buyers going forward, says Guidance Software, with 78% of buyers saying their company plans to purchase Apple iPads.
The California-headquartered firm has enlisted the support of its users to talk about the release of EnCase Neutrino for the Apple portable devices.
Detective Andy Kleinick, officer in charge with the Los Angeles computer crimes unit, said that, as the force carries out digital investigations, staff are encountering more Apple devices, including the iPad and iPhone.
"EnCase has been our primary digital forensics software for more than ten years. By supporting these popular devices Guidance Software will greatly assist my department in collecting and analyzing these new forms of evidence through a court-vetted and effective tool", he said.
Andrew Hay, senior security analyst with The 451 Group, was similarly enthusiastic. He said that few organizations allow the connection of personal computers to a corporate network but, for some reason, many are fine with allowing employees to bring personal smart phones into the office.
Some, he explained, are going as far as to allow WiFi-capable devices to connect to the corporate wireless network.
"With this new support for iPhone and iPad, Guidance Software can help analysts using its products to overlay traditional forensic and incident response strategies to one of the most prolific mobile device architectures in use today", he said.
Infosecurity notes that EnCase Neutrino also supports acquisition on devices running Android 2.1 and 2.2. This includes popular Google Android models like HTC Desire and the Motorola Droid series.