Cloud Forensics: Challenges and New Digital Forensic Projects

Running Head: CLOUD FORENSICS
CLOUD FORENSICS
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Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Review of Previous Research...............................................................................................................2
New Digital Forensic Projects..............................................................................................................3
Conclusion and Recommendations.......................................................................................................3
References.............................................................................................................................................4

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Introduction
Researches on digital Forensics is the recent trends in the field of technology since the last
years of 20th century as the relevance of technology in criminal activities is increasing. In contrast
with regular forensic studies, the digital forensics study deals with data and files extracted from
gadgets and devices in digital format (Cozzolino, Poggi & Verdoliva, 2015). The term Digital
Forensics refers to a thorough process of identifying, analyzing and acquisition of information and
evidence related to any crime in digital formats. Such data are acquired from not only digital
gadgets like smartphones or computers and laptops but also from virtual data storages like clouds,
Internet of Things and hybrid clouds.
For Digital forensics, the importance of standardized model to guide the investigation is
important to address the actual issue related to the crime (Lillis, Becker, O'Sullivan, & Scanlon,
2016). However, there are different models have been proposed based on new technologies and
improved methods. This explains why recent researches involve implementation of new
technologies and processes in existing methods to increase efficiency and accuracy in investigation.
Cloud computing is the prevalent choice of many in recent times (Hitchcock, Le-Khac & Scanlon,
2016). The chances of criminal activities in the systems. In cloud based digital forensics studies, the
most common problem arises in case of data collecting is the remote location of the server can be
within other dominion. This is why researchers are trying to address such problems of cloud based
digital forensic problems (Yaqoob et al.,2017). There are some typical challenges investigators face
while using cloud based digital forensic processes. Cloud computing based forensic investigation
has been proved to be very effective for investigating hacking and illegal logging in any secured
system.
With the introduction of new technologies in the market, new problems emerge hampering
the overall process of existing digital forensic methods. For example the introduction of cloud
computing makes the information and evidence collection tough. Increased number of gadgets in
the system means increasing volume of data. The most difficult problem they face while
determining whether to use cloud based system or not depends on each step of investigation. Only
after acquiring login credentials and profile information from different devices and gadgets, the
necessity of cloud implementation can be assured. This is like, the investigator have to find keys for
each locks systematically to unlock the final information behind the last lock. The investigation will
fail if the investigators fail to retrieve lock information of anyone door (Pandya, Homayoun &
Dehghantanha, 2018). The second most difficult problem forensic investigators face with digital
forensics is related to the servers. It may not be possible to retrieve the servers physically as they
can be in different jurisdiction areas and the collection of metadata is not possible. This is why
recent researches on digital forensics based on cloud computing method are focusing on models,
which integrate different technologies to support the original process. For example, data mining is
an added model. This is also helpful in proposing new frameworks, which are helpful in identifying
new threats caused by recent technologies.
Review of Previous Research
Implementation of cloud computing method is a relatively new application in the
field of digital forensic. This is why; different researches related to the affectivity of the system are
carried out in the last two years. The benefit of implementing cloud computing in digital forensic
has given upper hand to the investigators while investigating different breadcrumbs of a cybercrime.
The system helps in identifying any illegal entry from any anomalous device and illegal activity.
However, every new research is adding new dimension to the application of cloud based forensic
investigation and challenges related to it.