Cloud Computing and Digital Forensics

Cloud computing is a relatively recent term to describe computer resources available as a service accessible over a network, such as internally to a corporation, or externally available over the Internet; and cloud storage is the storage of electronic data on remote infrastructure, rather than local storage which is attached to a computer or electronic device. Vulnerabilities in the cloud computing environment can potentially be exploited by criminals and actors with malicious intent, thus adding to the challenge of growing volumes of digital evidence in cases under investigation. In this essay, we outline our cloud forensic framework that can be used to guide digital forensic investigations involving cloud computing services.