Top 10 Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR) Europe-Based Firms You Can Trust

• Why Trusted: Combines elite technical forensics with business recovery, supply-chain remediation, and executive stakeholder management. Strong record in major EU outages and ransomware events.
• Headquarters: London, UK (global HQ) – major cyber hubs in London and across EU capitals.
• Company Size: ~415,000 employees globally (cybersecurity practice in the thousands)
• Key Clients: European banks, energy companies, government agencies – e.g. Deloitte assisted clients during the WannaCry and NotPetya outbreaks to restore operations.
• Estimated Costs: Premium enterprise rates; retainers for rapid mobilization.
• Engagement Model: Retained Incident Response services for enterprise clients; on-demand emergency response (often via existing consulting relationships).
• Core DFIR Services: Cyber incident response & recovery, digital forensics (devices, cloud, OT systems), incident readiness planning, cyber crisis management (incl. board-level advisory), and post-incident remediation consulting.

Big Four powerhouse with global incident response reach. Deloitte is rated a Leader in incident response consulting (Forrester 2022), combining technical forensics with business recovery expertise. With a network of Cyber Incident Response teams across Europe and worldwide, Deloitte handles some of the largest breaches. They bring multidisciplinary strength – forensic accountants, crisis communications, and cyber experts – to not only remediate incidents but also address legal and regulatory fallout. Deloitte’s long industry experience (the firm’s roots go back to 1845) and investments in cyber labs make it a top choice for complex incidents.

• Why Trusted: Deep bench across DFIR, legal, privacy, and crisis communications. Go-to for complex, multi-jurisdictional breaches requiring regulator engagement and board-level reporting.
• Headquarters: London, UK (PwC is a UK-based partnership)
• Company Size: ~340,000 employees worldwide (with hundreds in EMEA cyber response roles)
• Key Clients: Large EU enterprises (finance, telecom, retail) and public sector institutions. PwC handled incidents like Europe-wide payment card breaches and ransomware attacks on manufacturers (often publicized after resolution).
• Engagement Model: Annual retainer agreements (often including proactive assessments) or rapid-response contracts; PwC also offers “boots on the ground” teams within hours in most European cities.
• Estimated Costs: Premium enterprise consulting rates; retainers and surge models available.
• Core DFIR Services: Incident containment and investigation, data breach forensics (incl. eDiscovery), regulatory liaison (for GDPR, etc.), cyber extortion response (ransomware playbooks), and security architecture remediation post-incident.

Globally integrated DFIR with strong crisis management focus. PwC’s cyber incident response team is known for handling multi-jurisdictional breaches, coordinating legal and technical workstreams. Identified as a strong performer by Forrester, PwC offers “long-tail” incident support – from immediate containment to long-term security improvements. They have extensive case studies in Europe, including major GDPR-related breach responses. PwC’s deep bench of IT forensics experts and ex-law enforcement consultants provides reliable, discreet services that boards and regulators trust.

• Why Trusted: Large, highly coordinated IR practice across the EU, with heritage from specialist acquisitions (including Context Information Security). Capable of global multi-country coordination at speed.
• Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
• Company Size: ~733,000 employees globally (with an estimated 16,000 in cybersecurity; hundreds dedicated to DFIR across regions)
• Key Clients: Multinational corporations in Europe across banking, pharma, automotive, etc. (Accenture often serves as the integrated responder for complex supply-chain attacks or global ransomware incidents affecting multiple countries).
• Engagement Model: Project-based IR with end-to-end service agreements; Accenture also offers an Incident Response retainer service (often paired with their Managed Security offerings for quick activation).
• Estimated Costs: Upper-mid to premium; retainer and project-based.
• Core DFIR Services: Cyber incident response & forensics, malware and threat analysis, cyber crisis management consulting, business continuity and IT disaster recovery support during cyber crises, and post-incident transformation (security upgrades, board reporting, cyber insurance support).

Global consultancy bringing scale and innovation to DFIR. Accenture, headquartered in Ireland, has built a formidable incident response capability across Europe and APAC, recently bolstered by acquisitions of specialist firms. Accenture was listed among the top global IR providers and continues to expand (e.g. acquiring CyberCX in 2025, adding 1,400 cyber experts in APAC). Accenture’s approach to IR emphasizes speed and enterprise-wide recovery – leveraging its huge resources (AI tools, cloud experts) to get businesses back on track. They are often engaged by multinational clients for cross-border incident management.

• Why Trusted: Elite forensics and response heritage (Stroz Friedberg) now operating under Aon plc. Strong investigative pedigree, discretion, and evidence handling; frequently engaged for high-stakes incidents, cyber-espionage, and insurer-referred cases.
• Headquarters: London, UK (Aon plc is headquartered in London)
• Company Size: ~50,000 employees (Aon global; Cyber Solutions division has several hundred DFIR experts in EU and US)
• Key Clients: Financial services, law firms, insurance (Aon refers its cyber insurance clients to its DFIR team), and tech companies. For example, Stroz (Aon) led investigation of high-profile data theft cases and assisted law enforcement on international hacking rings.
• Engagement Model: Incident response retainers (often tied to cyber insurance policies) and hourly investigative engagements. Aon can deploy responders on-site globally via its network.
• Estimated Costs: Upper-mid to premium; retainers commonly aligned to cyber-insurance programs, with higher emergency rates and additional fees for travel/specialist tooling
• Core DFIR Services: Digital forensics (computers, mobile, cloud), incident response and containment, ransomware negotiation and cryptocurrency tracing, eDiscovery and litigation support for cyber incidents, and incident preparedness (tabletop exercises, playbook development).

Elite forensics and response firm, now under Aon plc. Stroz Friedberg, acquired by Aon, has long been a go-to incident response firm for high-stakes breaches. In 2024, Aon was named a Leader in Forrester’s IR Wave, with top scores in 12 criteria. The team has a strong investigative pedigree (founders were former FBI agents), excelling in evidence collection and analysis. Aon Cyber Solutions is frequently called for incidents requiring discretion and rigor, including cyber espionage and insider cases. They also integrate risk advisory, helping clients improve cyber resilience as part of Aon’s broader risk management services.

• Why Trusted: UK NCSC-recognized provider with CREST credentials and a dedicated 24/7 hotline. Strong European footprint and proven first-responder processes.
• Headquarters: Manchester, UK
• Company Size: ~2,000 employees (global cybersecurity and software escrow divisions; IR team operates from UK, Netherlands, etc.)
• Key Clients: UK government agencies and critical infrastructure (through NCSC’s CIR scheme), financial institutions, and European enterprises – e.g. NCC responded to a large European telco breach and helped contain a malware outbreak at a multinational retailer.
• Engagement Model: Retained “Emergency Incident Response” service with SLAs for response time, or ad-hoc incident-specific contracts. NCC also provides tabletop simulations and first-responder training as part of their retainer packages.
• Estimated Costs: Mid to upper-mid; incident retainers with SLAs available.
• Core DFIR Services: Emergency incident response (remote and on-site), digital forensics analysis, incident response planning and simulations, threat intelligence support (leveraging Fox-IT intel), and post-incident remediation consulting.

UK-based cybersecurity firm trusted for accredited IR services. NCC Group is approved by the UK’s NCSC as a certified cyber incident response provider and has a long heritage in security consulting. With the 2015 acquisition of Fox-IT (a Dutch forensics firm), NCC expanded its DFIR footprint across Europe. They offer a 24/7 incident response hotline and can quickly mobilize teams to client sites. NCC’s portfolio includes responding to advanced attacks and conducting incident response training for clients. Their focus on technical excellence and certifications (CREST, NCSC) gives assurance of quality.

• Why Trusted: Defense-grade tradecraft and NCSC-certified incident response. Particularly strong for state-sponsored and complex espionage-style intrusions.
• Headquarters: Guildford, UK (BAE Systems Digital Intelligence division)
• Company Size: ~4,800 in Digital Intelligence (BAE Systems overall ~89,000; the cyber division includes IR, threat intel, and software teams)
• Key Clients: Government ministries, defense contractors, energy companies, and financial institutions across EMEA. BAE’s team has helped EU countries investigate critical infrastructure breaches and handled ransomware incidents at large manufacturing firms.
• Engagement Model: Pre-approved incident response retainers (especially for critical sectors, ensuring a response team on standby) or rapid response via its hotline; can deploy within hours in EMEA.
• Estimated Costs: Upper-mid to premium; retainers for critical sectors.
• Core DFIR Services: Cyber incident response (advanced threat focus), malware reverse engineering, threat intelligence and attribution (working with law enforcement), crisis management (technical and strategic guidance), and advisory on improving cyber resilience post-incident.

Defense-grade cybersecurity with certified incident responders. BAE Systems’ Applied Intelligence unit (rebranded as BAE Digital Intelligence) offers cyber incident response as part of its services portfolio. BAE is an NCSC-certified Incident Response provider in the UK, meeting government standards for handling advanced attacks. They operate 24/7 response centers in the UK, US, and Australia, enabling follow-the-sun support. With roots in national security, BAE brings deep expertise in nation-state threat actor techniques. European organizations look to BAE for help in crises like state-sponsored attacks or sophisticated cyber-espionage incidents.

• Why Trusted: European heavyweight combining Atos’s long-standing SOC/managed security footprint with dedicated DFIR teams; strong presence in government and regulated industries with EU-sovereign delivery options.
• Headquarters: Paris, France (global presence; part of Atos group until spin-off)
• Company Size: ~53,000 (all Eviden divisions; cyber security services are a major segment)
• Key Clients: European Union institutions, French and German industry leaders, and clients in sectors like telecom and healthcare. For example, Atos/Eviden teams have managed data breach investigations under strict GDPR requirements for EU customers.
• Engagement Model: Can be retained as part of a broader IT outsourcing or MSSP contract, or engaged specifically for incidents. Eviden often pairs DFIR with its cloud and infrastructure services for holistic recovery.
• Estimated Costs: Mid to premium depending on scope and service mix; often offered as IR retainers or bundled with managed security/outsourcing contracts
• Core DFIR Services: Incident response & digital forensics, cyber crisis coordination, root-cause analysis and system recovery, threat hunting (with in-house tool

A new European heavyweight combining IT services and cybersecurity. Eviden is the cybersecurity and digital services spin-off of Atos (France), comprising 53,000 professionals in 47+ countries. Within that, Eviden’s DFIR team benefits from Atos’s legacy of operating security operations centers and serving government clients. Eviden provides “trusted, sustainable digital transformation” with strong security capabilities – including a full suite of forensics and incident response services. While relatively new as a brand, Eviden inherited decades of experience from Atos in handling incidents for European enterprises. Their approach often integrates with managed security services for continuous protection.

• Why Trusted: UK-based 24/7 SOC with a rapidly growing DFIR practice. Strong in essential services and regulated sectors, with practical, action-oriented response playbooks.
• Headquarters: Reading, UK (with offices in London and expanding to North America)
• Company Size: ~200+ employees (all cybersecurity specialists)
  Key Clients: UK critical national infrastructure (energy, transport), financial institutions, and some global organizations. Bridewell has responded to ransomware attacks on regional utility companies and assisted in forensic investigations of cyber fraud for banks.
• Engagement Model: Offers retainer services for incident response (with guaranteed quick-start SLAs) and ad-hoc emergency response. Also provides “cyber assurance” packages that include IR support.
• Estimated Costs: Mid-market friendly retainers; surge capacity for major incidents.
• Core DFIR Services: Cyber incident response (remote and on-site), digital forensics for cybercrime investigations, containment and recovery planning, threat intelligence-led investigations, and cybersecurity consulting to address root causes post-incident.

UK-based cyber firm with 24/7 local SOC and growing global reach. Bridewell is a fast-growing cybersecurity services company founded in 2013 that specializes in DFIR among other areas. It runs a UK-based 24/7 Security Operations Centre and has expanded into the US, indicating a strong trajectory. Bridewell’s incident response team is composed of “security specialists with extensive experience” and industry accreditations. They focus on protecting essential business functions and have handled incidents in sectors like aviation, financial services, and government. Bridewell also won recognition for their managed security and DFIR capabilities in the UK cyber community.

• Why Trusted: Boutique, high-touch responder with award-recognized incident teams. Frequently engaged via cyber-insurance panels; praised for clear stakeholder communication.
• Headquarters: London, UK (with offices in Europe, U.S., and Hong Kong)
• Company Size: ~400 employees (across corporate intelligence and cyber divisions)
• Key Clients: Private equity firms (for portfolio company incidents and cyber due diligence), insurance companies (incident response for insured clients), and mid-to-large enterprises globally. S-RM has handled multi-country ransomware incidents and high-profile data theft cases, often under confidentiality via insurers.
• Engagement Model: Typically engaged through insurance panels or directly retained by companies for incident response. S-RM also provides “cyber incident insights” reports analyzing trends from its cases.
• Estimated Costs: Mid to upper-mid; panel-based retainers common.
• Core DFIR Services: Full-scope incident response, ransomware and cyber extortion handling, digital forensic investigations, incident response planning for insured clients, expert witness services in cyber disputes, and cyber advisory for improving resilience post-incident.

Boutique global risk consultancy with award-winning cyber incident team. S-RM, originally founded in London, provides intelligence, resilience, and response solutions worldwide. Its cyber incident response team was recently recognized as “Cyber Incident Response Team of the Year 2024” by Zywave. S-RM is sought after for incident response, cyber extortion negotiations, and digital forensics, often working on significant cyber insurance cases. They sit on panels of major cyber insurers, meaning they are frequently assigned to clients’ ransomware and breach incidents. Clients praise S-RM’s communication and quick action: “very quick and seamless to respond…extremely good at not overwhelming clients with tech jargon,” as one review noted.

• Why Trusted: Forensics-first mindset with strong investigative tooling and recognized methodologies. Frequently engaged where evidentiary rigor and regulator-grade reporting are essential.
• Headquarters: Amstelveen, Netherlands (global HQ; major cyber hubs in London and Frankfurt)
• Company Size: ~265,000 employees worldwide (KPMG’s Cyber practice is several thousand strong across the EU)
• Key Clients: European conglomerates, financial services (KPMG is an approved responder for several large banks), and public sector bodies. KPMG has run incident response for healthcare breaches affecting millions of EU citizens and assisted in nation-wide cybersecurity incidents in cooperation with CERTs.
• Engagement Model: Offers an “Incident Response Hotline” service as part of a retainer, as well as on-demand investigations. KPMG often pairs with its legal/privacy teams when providing breach response to ensure compliance aspects are covered.
• Estimated Costs: Premium enterprise consulting; retainers and on-demand IR.
• Core DFIR Services: Cyber incident response and investigation, digital evidence preservation and analysis, crisis management consulting (incl. PR and legal coordination), cyber incident readiness assessments, and development of custom forensic tools (like the KPMG Digital Responder) to speed up investigations.

Trusted advisor with innovative forensic technology. KPMG’s multidisciplinary approach to incident response leverages its global network of cyber professionals and forensic labs. KPMG was recognized for innovation in DFIR, receiving a Global Award for its Digital Responder forensic platform. The firm is known as a Leader in incident readiness and has been highlighted for global incident response capabilities. KPMG helps clients not only investigate incidents but also manage regulatory reporting and stakeholder communications. They often handle incidents with complex legal ramifications (e.g. GDPR breaches) and work closely with in-house counsel and regulators to “close the loop” after an attack.

How to Choose the Right Europe-Based DFIR Firm

European DFIR firms come with different strengths and considerations:

• Regulatory Knowledge (GDPR, NIS2, PCI DSS): EU firms like PwC, Deloitte, and KPMG are deeply versed in GDPR compliance and regulatory reporting. If your organization handles EU citizen data, prioritize firms with this expertise.
• Certifications & Accreditations: Look for providers accredited by CREST or certified by the UK’s NCSC (like NCC Group, BAE Systems). This ensures adherence to high investigation standards and recognized methodologies.
• Cross-Border Capabilities: Europe is fragmented in jurisdictions. Large firms (Accenture, Deloitte, PwC) excel at coordinating incident responses across multiple EU countries. Boutique firms (S-RM, Bridewell) offer nimbleness for localized incidents.
• Client Type Fit: Big Four firms often suit large enterprises and multinationals. Smaller, specialized consultancies may be better for mid-market businesses that value flexibility and affordability.
• Post-Incident Services: Many EU firms emphasize long-tail recovery, including legal liaison and crisis comms. This can be crucial when regulatory penalties and public perception are at stake.

European DFIR providers stand out for their precision, credibility, and compliance expertise in one of the world’s most heavily regulated markets. From GDPR reporting to CREST-certified investigations, they excel at aligning technical forensics with regulatory and legal obligations. If your business operates in or across Europe, and compliance is just as important as containment, an EU-based DFIR firm is the safest and most strategic choice.

Also consider:

• Top 10 U.S.-Based Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR) Firms You Can Trust — if you need large-scale surge capacity, ultra-fast containment, or deep APT experience centered in the U.S.