Vision: An empirical framework for examiners to accessing password-protected resources for on-the-scene digital investigations

Abstract

It is increasingly becoming difficult to acquire meaningful information in the field of digital forensics through the traditional approach owing to advances in information security and anti-forensics tech-niques. To counteract anonymous services such as data in remote areas without authentication infor-mation, data encryption, device locks, and cryptocurrencies, it is important to acquire key information through live forensics at search and seizure sites. Thus, it is necessary to establish a response system that explores and processes credential information on site and extracts meaningful information based on the processed information. To this end, this study proposes a new digital forensics framework for application at search and seizure sites. The proposed framework is designed to allow expansion in the form of additional functions on account of a module type development for the system even when new services and digital devices appear in the future. We then explain its applicability through case studies of actual digital investigations.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.