97% cite smartphones as top evidence source, up 24 points from 2024 95% agree digital evidence incre...


          
		  
          
            
            
            
 97% cite smartphones as top evidence source, up 24 points from 2024
 95% agree digital evidence increases solvability, yet 94% say complexity strains caseloads
 65% believe AI can accelerate investigations, but one-third say policies prevent its use
 Cloud receptiveness hit 42%, yet two-thirds still rely on physical media

,  /PRNewswire/ -- Cellebrite (NASDAQ: CLBT), a global leader in AI-powered Digital Investigative and Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, today unveiled its 2026 Industry Trends Report, which surveyed 1,200 practitioners across 63 countries, marking the company's seventh annual report on how organizations collect, manage and analyze digital evidence.
Smartphones: Critical to Investigations 
Smartphones are more relevant to investigations than ever before, with 97% of investigators citing them as the top source of digital evidence, up 24 points from 73% in 2024. This increase mirrors public expectations, as 97% of agency managers say communities expect digital evidence to be used in most cases.
AI Adoption: Strong Interest, Uneven Policy Support
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an increasingly important technology for enhancing the speed and efficiency of investigations. Sixty-five percent of public safety respondents believe AI can accelerate investigations, yet nearly a third of these respondents report their agency's policies prevent AI's use. Two-thirds of respondents cite review time as the biggest barrier to moving cases, yet AI can solve this, with respondents agreeing one of its best features is quickly analyzing communications to identify links between people.
Public Safety: Capacity Strained as Digital Evidence Becomes Universal
Public safety findings show 95% agree digital evidence increases case solvability, while 94% say complexity is straining caseloads. However, only 62% of agency leaders are shifting resources from legacy to digital methods. This gap between recognition and action underscores the modernization challenge agencies face. 
"The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental," stated Matt Scott, a U.K. Police and Crime Commissioner. "As new technology is introduced, it is important that the public's consent is sought and that appropriate safeguards are put in place to ensure that decision making remains in the hands of officers and staff. The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental. Any use of AI or automation in policing should follow consultation with the public and be applied only where appropriate and where it can responsibly support productivity."
"Digital evidence is increasingly where our investigations begin," said James Howe, Detective, Columbus, Ohio, Division of Police. "This modern reality has us rethinking our workflows across the agency, not just in the lab. Digital evidence shapes how our cases are built from day one."
"It's clear digital evidence is the backbone of modern justice," said David Gee, Chief Marketing Officer of Cellebrite. "Today's investigations involve an exponential explosion of devices, data and complexity that agencies must manage. Their only choice to evolve is to mobilize and leverage technology that will help them process evidence efficiently, while preserving the accuracy and ensuring the defensibility of evidence on which the justice system relies."
Cloud Adoption Grows as Evidence-Sharing Risks Persist
Using the cloud to store and share digital evidence is steadily becoming essential for agencies of all sizes. Cloud receptiveness for digital evidence management reached 42% in 2026, up from 38% in 2025. Yet physical media remains the default option with two-thirds of respondents still sharing evidence via portable hard drives and USB sticks, creating chain of custody risks and slowing cross-agency collaboration.
Private Sector: Digital Investigations are Business-Critical
Private sector findings show investigations embedded across business operations, with a clear shift in AI adoption from strategic intent to practical application.

 Top use cases: eDiscovery (54%), data theft (46%) and network exploits (44%)
 Mobile data appears in 66% of investigations; computer storage and cloud data each appear in 46%
 57% say AI-assisted communication analysis accelerates outcomes

"Organizations want to be better prepared, so investigations are no longer just about reacting after something happens," said Colin Duncan, eDiscovery Technologist at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP. "Gaining a clear understanding of data across systems, devices, and applications in a consistent and defensible manner is essential. When used responsibly, AI enables teams to accelerate their work without compromising control or accountability."
Implications for Cellebrite
These trends have underpinned strong adoption of Cellebrite's evidence and case management investigative platform, Guardian, primarily among state and local law enforcement agencies in the United States, as well as in Latin America and the United Kingdom. In 2025, Guardian delivered triple-digit year-over-year growth across customers, users and data stored on the platform and was also recently made available to enterprise customers.
For more information, read Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Reports for Public Safety and the Private Sector.
References to Websites and Social Media Platforms 
References to information included on, or accessible through, websites and social media platforms do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through such websites or social media platforms, and you should not consider such information to be part of this press release.
About Cellebrite
Cellebrite's (Nasdaq: CLBT) mission is to protect communities, nations and businesses as a global leader in digital investigative and intelligence solutions. More than 7,000 global law enforcement agencies, defense and intelligence organizations and enterprises trust Cellebrite's AI-powered software portfolio to make forensically sound digital data more accessible and actionable. Cellebrite technology allows customers to accelerate more than 1.5 million legally sanctioned investigations annually, enhance sovereign security, elevate operational efficacy and efficiency and enable advanced mobile research and application security. Available via cloud, on-premises and hybrid deployments, Cellebrite's technology enables its customers around the globe to advance their missions, elevate public safety and safeguard data privacy. To learn more, visit us at www.cellebrite.com. 
Media ContactVictor CooperSr. Director of Corporate Communications[email protected]+1 404.804.5910
Investor RelationsAndrew KramerVice President, Investor Relations[email protected]+1 973.206.7760
SOURCE Cellebrite

          
        

CLBT

Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Report Reveals Smartphones as the Leading Source of Digital Evidence in Investigations at 97%

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>97% cite smartphones as top evidence source, up 24 points from 2024 95% agree digital evidence incre...</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>Cellebrite&#039;s 2026 Industry Trends Report highlights the increasing reliance on digital evidence, especially smartphones, which could boost their services. As agencies face complexity in investigations and limited AI adoption due to policies, Cellebrite&#039;s solutions remain critical. The strong growth of their Guardian platform suggests a favorable outlook for the company.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>97% cite smartphones as top evidence source, up 24 points.</li><li>95% agree digital evidence raises case solvability despite complexity issues.</li><li>65% believe AI can speed investigations, yet policies block its use.</li><li>Cloud use for evidence management grows; still mainly reliant on physical media.</li><li>Cellebrite&#039;s Guardian platform achieved significant growth in 2025.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Cellebrite (CLBT)</strong>: Leader in digital investigative solutions, poised for growth.</li><li><strong>Amazon Web Services (AMZN)</strong>: Potential supplier for cloud solutions, may benefit from increased digital evidence management.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Industry News</h3>
    <p>This content fits into &#039;Industry News&#039; as it highlights key trends affecting digital evidence management and investigative technologies, showing a shift towards digital and AI adoption, which adds relevance to Cellebrite&#039;s innovations in these areas.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Growing adoption of AI and digital evidence could increase demand for CLBT&#039;s services.</li><li>High smartphone relevance in investigations may drive more sales of Cellebrite&#039;s products.</li><li>Increased cloud adoption for evidence management can expand Cellebrite&#039;s customer base.</li><li>Policy changes enabling AI usage in investigations may boost market share for CLBT.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>97% of investigators rely on smartphones for digital evidence.</li><li>95% agree digital evidence enhances case solvability.</li><li>65% believe AI can speed investigations, but one-third face usage policy barriers.</li><li>Cloud receptiveness for digital evidence management hit 42% in 2026.</li><li>Cellebrite&#039;s Guardian platform saw triple-digit year-over-year growth in 2025.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Cellebrite (CLBT) is poised for growth as digital evidence demand rises, with a 12-month bullish outlook.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<article>
    <h2>Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Report Highlights Smartphones as Primary Source of Digital Evidence</h2>
    <p>Cellebrite (NASDAQ: CLBT), a leading provider of AI-driven digital investigative solutions, has released its 2026 Industry Trends Report. This annual survey, which involved 1,200 practitioners from 63 countries, reveals significant insights into the evolving landscape of digital evidence collection and analysis.</p>

    <section>
        <h3>Smartphones: An Essential Tool for Investigations</h3>
        <p>The report indicates that smartphones have become increasingly crucial in investigation processes, with <strong>97%</strong> of investigators identifying them as the top source of digital evidence. This represents a remarkable increase of <strong>24 percentage points</strong> from 2024, where only <strong>73%</strong> held this view. Furthermore, <strong>97%</strong> of agency managers assert that communities expect digital evidence to be utilized in the majority of cases.</p>
    </section>

    <section>
        <h3>AI Adoption in Investigative Practices</h3>
        <p>Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as vital for enhancing investigative efficiency. According to the report, <strong>65%</strong> of public safety officials believe AI can significantly accelerate case resolutions. However, almost one-third of these respondents reported that their agency's policies inhibit the use of AI technologies. Moreover, two-thirds of survey participants indicated that long review times impede the progression of cases, further highlighting the potential AI has in streamlining communication analysis.</p>
    </section>

    <section>
        <h3>The Strain of Digital Evidence on Public Safety</h3>
        <p>Results from the report show that an overwhelming <strong>95%</strong> of respondents agree that digital evidence enhances case solvability. Despite this, <strong>94%</strong> are struggling with the complexity that digital evidence introduces to their caseloads. Alarmingly, only <strong>62%</strong> of agency leaders are reallocating resources from traditional methods to more modern digital techniques, indicating a significant gap between acknowledgment of the need for modernization and actual implementation.</p>
        <blockquote>
            <p><em>"The relationship between the public and the police is fundamental,"</em> stated Matt Scott, a U.K. Police and Crime Commissioner. <em>"As new technology is introduced, it is important that the public's consent is sought and that appropriate safeguards are put in place to ensure that decision making remains in the hands of officers and staff."</em></p>
        </blockquote>
    </section>

    <section>
        <h3>Cloud Adoption and Its Challenges</h3>
        <p>The survey reflects a growing trend toward cloud usage for storing and sharing digital evidence, with cloud receptiveness reaching <strong>42%</strong> in 2026, up from <strong>38%</strong> in 2025. However, a significant two-thirds of respondents still rely on physical media, such as portable hard drives and USB drives, which poses risks to the chain of custody and hampers cross-agency collaboration.</p>
    </section>

    <section>
        <h3>Private Sector Insights on Digital Investigations</h3>
        <p>In the private sector, digital investigations are increasingly recognized as essential for business operations. Key findings from the report include:</p>
        <ul>
            <li>Top use cases for investigations: <strong>eDiscovery</strong> (54%), <strong>data theft</strong> (46%), and <strong>network exploits</strong> (44%)</li>
            <li>Mobile data is involved in <strong>66%</strong> of investigations, while computer storage and cloud data are both included in <strong>46%</strong> of cases</li>
            <li><strong>57%</strong> of participants believe that AI-assisted communication analysis can speed up outcomes</li>
        </ul>
        <blockquote>
            <p><em>"Organizations want to be better prepared, so investigations are no longer just about reacting after something happens,"</em> said Colin Duncan, an eDiscovery Technologist. <em>"Gaining a clear understanding of data across systems, devices, and applications in a consistent and defensible manner is essential."</em></p>
        </blockquote>
    </section>

    <section>
        <h3>Future Implications for Cellebrite (CLBT)</h3>
        <p>The insights from the report underscore the strong adoption of Cellebrite's evidence and case management platform, Guardian. Notably, in 2025, Guardian experienced triple-digit year-over-year growth across key metrics such as customers, user engagement, and data storage. The platform has also recently expanded its availability to enterprise customers.</p>
        <p>For more detailed information, interested parties can access Cellebrite's full 2026 Industry Trends Reports for Public Safety and the Private Sector.</p>
    </section>

    <footer>
        <p>About Cellebrite: Cellebrite's (NASDAQ: CLBT) mission is to enhance community safety through digital investigative and intelligence solutions. Trusted by over 7,000 law enforcement agencies globally, Cellebrite's AI-powered portfolio supports the efficient management of digital evidence, playing a critical role in over <strong>1.5 million</strong> legally sanctioned investigations annually.</p>
    </footer>
</article>

Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Report highlights the increasing reliance on digital evidence, especially smartphones, which could boost their services. As agencies face complexity in investigations and limited AI adoption due to policies, Cellebrite's solutions remain critical. The strong growth of their Guardian platform suggests a favorable outlook for the company.

Cellebrite's 2026 Industry Trends Report Reveals Smartphones as the Leading Source of Digital Evidence in Investigations at 97%

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