Cloud Computing: Pros and Cons for Computer Forensic Investigations
Denis Reilly, Chris Wren, Tom Berry · International Journal of Multimedia and Image Processing · 2011
Cloud computing is a relatively new concept that offers the potential to deliver scalable elastic services to many.The notion of pay-per use is attractive and in the current global recession hit economy it offers an economic solution to an organizations' IT needs.Computer forensics is a relatively new discipline born out of the increasing use of computing and digital storage devices in criminal acts (both traditional and hi-tech).Computer forensic practices have been around for several decades and early applications of their use can be charted back to law enforcement and military investigations some 30 years ago.In the last decade computer forensics has developed in terms of procedures, practices and tool support to serve the law enforcement community.However, it now faces possibly its greatest challenges in dealing with cloud computing.Through this paper we explore these challenges and suggest some possible solutions. Cloud computing -silver lining or dark storm?Cloud computing intends to realize the concept of computing as a utility, just like water, gas, electricity and telephony.It also embodies the desire of computing resources as true services.Software and computing platform and computing infrastructure may all be regarded as services with no concern as to how or from where they are actually provided.The potential of cloud computing has been recognized by major industry players such that the top five software companies by sales revenue all have major cloud offerings [2].There is still no universal definition of cloud computing, however, there is sufficient literature available in the community that portrays the basic