The challenge of cloud computing forensics

As the digital landscape evolves, so does the difficulty of safeguarding it. This is especially true in cloud computing, which is now the mother of all IT complexity, with security challenges that confound forensic investigators. Lately, I’ve noticed an increasing number of people in law enforcement taking my cloud courses. They are not there to develop cloud solutions for businesses but to learn how to combat cybercrime. More tools are needed to help everyone fight these emerging security threats.

Enter the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) with its 87-page NISTIR 8006 publication, a cornerstone document that not only anticipates cloud computing forensic science challenges but also provides proactive security solutions. This strategic approach is crucial in preparing the industry for a future where cloud environments are secure, reliable, and resilient, giving you the confidence that you are ready for what’s to come.

The NISTIR 8006 document addresses and categorizes the challenges of digital forensic science within cloud computing environments, providing actionable solutions. This document identifies technical, legal, and organizational barriers and advocates for establishing standards and technologies to address them. NIST’s collaborative approach, which includes industry, governance, and IT leaders (including myself), ensures that multiple voices are developing these solutions.