Cloud Forensics: Challenges and Blockchain Based Solution

Abstract: As digital forensics has advanced, it has now become a crucial aspect of cloud computing. The standard process for digital forensics includes five key steps: identifying the problem, collecting relevant data, investigating the crime scene, analyzing the evidence, and documenting the case. However, performing digital forensics in the cloud presents unique challenges, especially related to security and privacy. This paper reviews different digital forensics methods, particularly focusing on cloud computing. One approach we highlight is the use of blockchain technology in cloud forensics. Blockchain's decentralized, tamper-proof ledger enhances the security and integrity of forensic evidence, ensuring reliable chain of custody and improving the credibility and admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings. Cloud forensics offers significant advantages such as large storage capacity, powerful computing abilities, and tools to identify criminal activities, which are crucial for thorough investigations. We examine the problems and challenges at each stage of the cloud forensics process and discuss how blockchain technology can provide effective solutions. Our goal is to help new researchers better understand these issues and encourage the development of new ideas to address the challenges in cloud forensics.