Computer Forensics in Combatting Cybercrime

Introduction

In today’s digital era, cybercrime has grown prevalent, and stopping it has become more difficult for law enforcement organizations. It involves the use of a computer or the internet to commit a crime. It may involve hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, and the dissemination of malware. Although there are tools to monitor cybercrime, local law enforcement operations against digital crime are hampered by several circumstances. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for the advancement of computer forensics to better the situation.

Cybercrime and General Data Protection Regulation

As a result of legislation changes such as the General Data Protection Regulation is Regulation, police enforcement may be refused access to data or have extremely restricted access to data during criminal investigations (Jung & Doyle, 2021). Encryption, cryptocurrency, dark web, and cloud storage use can make it hard for authorities to track down criminals because of the potential for loss of data, criminal infrastructure, and technological evidence (Miralis, 2020). Thus, the legal system’s capacity to penalize internet crimes has diminished.

As mobile and Internet of Things technologies have blurred the distinction between physical and digital evidence, the need for digital forensics is increasing. Computer forensics is the use of scientific and investigative techniques to locate, gather, preserve, evaluate, and provide computer evidence in a legal setting (Obbayi, 2021). In the current world, businesses must employ powerful solutions to handle both digital and physical evidence simultaneously.

Keeping digital evidence on the device is a crucial step in preventing cybercrime. Companies must record equipment conditions, consult forensic specialists, and maintain a transparent chain of possession (Palter, 2022). It is required to record every aspect of the device’s discovery, collect the physical media without modifying its state, extract data from the acquired device, and store the evidence for future investigation in a safe location. This procedure pertains to the custody chain for digital evidence (Obbayi, 2021). The staff must study and assess the device’s acquired data to provide evidence for legal or business procedures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the fight against cybercrime is a complex and ongoing battle. The challenges associated with cybercrime are significant, and efforts to prevent it must take into account factors such as loss of data, location, and national legal frameworks. However, the use of computer forensics and the implementation of best practices for digital evidence management can help prevent and prosecute cybercrime.

References

Jung, W., & Doyle, S. (2021). Global Law Enforcement Agencies are working together to tackle cybercrime but more collaboration is needed. Web.

Miralis, N. (2020). The 5 key challenges for law enforcement in fighting cybercrime. Web.

Obbayi, L. (2021). Computer forensics: Chain of custody. Web.

Palter, J. (2022). Preserving digital evidence the right way: Your 10-step guide. Web.