Research on Digital Forensics Analyzing Heterogeneous Internet of Things Incident Investigations

Abstract

In the landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart-home technology presents intricate challenges for digital forensics. This study investigates these challenges, focusing on developing forensic methodologies suitable for the diverse and complex world of smart-home IoT devices. This research is contextualized within the rising trend of interconnected smart homes and their associated cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Methodologically, we formulate a comprehensive approach combining open-source intelligence, application, network, and hardware analyses, aiming to accommodate the operational and data storage characteristics of various IoT devices. Extensive experiments were conducted on prevalent platforms, such as Samsung SmartThings, Aqara, QNAP NAS, and Hikvision IP cameras, to validate the proposed methodology. These experiments revealed crucial insights into the complexities of forensic data acquisition in smart-home environments, emphasizing the need for customized forensic strategies tailored to the specific attributes of various IoT devices. The study significantly advances the field of IoT digital forensics and provides a foundational framework for future explorations into broader IoT scenarios. It underscores the need for evolving forensic methodologies to keep pace with rapid technological advancements in IoT.