Since its inception, over a decade ago, the field of digital forensics has faced numerous challenges. Despite different researchers and digital forensic practitioners having studied and analysed various known digital forensic challenges, as of 2013, there still exists a need for a formal classification of these challenges. This article therefore reviews existing research literature and highlights the various challenges that digital forensics has faced for the last 10 years. In conducting this research study, however, it was difficult for the authors to review all the existing research literature in the digital forensic domain; hence, sampling and randomization techniques were employed to facilitate the review of the gathered literature. Taxonomy of the various challenges is subsequently proposed in this paper based on our review of the literature. The taxonomy classifies the large number of digital forensic challenges into four well-defined and easily understood categories. The proposed taxonomy can be useful, for example, in future developments of automated digital forensic tools by explicitly describing processes and procedures that focus on addressing specific challenges identified in this paper. However, it should also be noted that the purpose of this paper was not to propose any solutions to the individual challenges that digital forensics face, but to serve as a survey of the state of the art of the research area.

Taxonomy of Challenges for Digital Forensics.

In this paper we examine the emergence and evolution of computer crime and computer forensics, as well as the crisis computer forensics is now facing. We propose new directions and approaches which better reflect the current objectives of this discipline. We further discuss important challenges that this discipline will be facing in the near future, and we propose an approach more suitable to prepare for these challenges. We focus on the technical aspects, while at the same time providing insights which would be helpful to better understand the unique issues related to computer forensic evidence when presented in the court of law.

http://www.cis.gsu.edu/rbaskerville/cis8630/Bernetal2008.pdf

Computer Forensics - Past, Present And Future

With increased access to computers across the world, cybercrime is becoming a major challenge to law enforcement agencies. Cybercrime investigation in India is in its infancy and there has been limited success in prosecuting the offenders; therefore, a need to understand and strengthen the existing investigation methods and systems for controlling cybercrimes is greatly needed. This study identifies important factors that will enable law enforcement agencies to reach the first step in effective prosecution, namely charge-sheeting of the cybercrime cases. Data on 300 cybercrime cases covering a number of demographic, technical and other variables related to cybercrime was analyzed using data mining techniques to identify and prioritize various factors leading to filing of the charge-sheet. These factors and the respective priority rankings are used to suggest various policy measures for improving the success rate of prosecution of cybercrimes.

Predictive Models in Cybercrime Investigation: An Application of Data Mining Techniques

Purpose – The concept of “value network” makes clear that the mission of business corporations cannot be isolated from three basic elements: making profits, responding to customers' needs, reacting to competitors. Too often, value networks are seen as neutral factors in the way corporate crimes are committed. Value networks are usually considered as morally neutral conditioning factors, while it is not the case. The purpose of this paper is to explain how value networks should be closely linked to any crime prevention system.Design/methodology/approach – Christensen's notion of value networks will be used in order to see if corporate crimes constitute a dysfunction of value networks. The most important “traditional” antecedents of corporate crime will be analyzed.Findings – Both financial performance and growth rate are reflecting a deep concern for profitability. The level of market concentration not only reveals the structure of the market itself but also the way competitors react one to each other (par...

Corporate crime and the dysfunction of value networks

Digital Business Security Development: Management Technologies provides comprehensive coverage of issues associated with maintaining business protection in digital environments. Containing state-of-the-art research relevant to informing business practice, this Premier Reference Source provides base level knowledge for managers who are not specialists in the field as well as advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking research and further study.

Digital Business Security Development: Management Technologies

Computer forensics uses computer investigation and analysis techniques to collect evidence regarding what happened on a computer that is admissible in a court of law. Computer forensics requires a wellbalanced combination of technical skills, legal acumen, and ethical conduct. Computer forensics specialists use powerful software tools to uncover data to be sorted through, and then must figure out the important facts and how to properly present them in a court of law. Cyber crime rates are accelerating and computer forensics is the crucial discipline that has the power to impede the progress of these cyber criminals. Computer forensics is defined by SearchSecurity.com as “the application of computer investigation and analysis techniques to gather evidence suitable for presentation in a court of law” (2005). The goal of computer forensics is to carry out a structured investigation while documenting a chain of evidence to discover exactly what happened on a computer and who was responsible for it. The main priority of computer forensics is accuracy. Forensic practitioners must follow strict guidelines and maintain the highest standards of work ethic to achieve accuracy because emphasis must be on evidential integrity and security (The DIBS Group, 2004). There is a widespread use of personal computers in businesses and homes. Companies are exchanging more information online than ever before, and high-tech crimes are increasing at a rapid rate (Solomon, 2005, p.3). This creates more of a need for crime investigators to have access to computer based information. There is an increased awareness in the legal community of the need for computer forensic services to obtain successful prosecutions which could otherwise fail because of unsatisfactory equipment, procedures, or presentation in court (The DIBS Group, 2004).

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Paul O’Brien

Papers

Computer Forensics: An Essential Ingredient for Cyber Security