Big Data and Digital Forensics Rethinking Digital Forensics

One of the main challenges in digital forensics is the increasing volume of data that needs to be analyzed. This problem has become even more pronounced with the emergence of big data and calls for a rethink on the way digital forensics investigations have been handled over the past years. This paper briefly discusses the challenges and needs of digital forensics in the face of the current trends and requirements of different investigations. A digital forensics analysis framework that puts into consideration the existing techniques as well as the current challenges is proposed. The purpose of the framework is to reassess the various stages of the digital forensics examination process and introduce into each stage the required techniques to enhance better collection, analysis, preservation and presentation in the face of big data and other challenges facing digital forensics.