Issues and Challenges in Emerging Cyber Forensics and Traditional Cyber Forensics Methods

Cyber forensics plays an important role in identifying and reducing cybercrimes in the age of the digital world. This chapter outlines the issues and challenges of traditional cyber forensics and emerging cyber forensics. The chapter opens with a comprehensive overview and sets the stage by explaining the core ideas and procedures that underpin cyber forensics. Discussing the fundamentals of gathering, storing, and evaluating digital evidence, creates a baseline. The chapter identifies the challenges that emerge because of emerging technologies like blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), encrypted communications channels, etc. This chapter also provides insights into the complexity that arises because of emerging areas and how cyber forensics professionals are adapting to address them. Cyber forensics has evolved over the years. Traditional cyber forensics may not be able to identify the cybercrimes that happen because of emerging technologies like blockchain, IoT, or any other encrypted communication channels. This chapter also explores the legal and ethical dilemmas faced by cyber forensics experts as they strive to balance the imperative of evidence collection with the privacy rights of individuals. It shows the importance of adhering to legal frameworks and ethical guidelines while conducting any cyber forensics activity, emphasizing more on the need for constant awareness and adherence to evolving laws and regulations. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Mohd. Shahid Husain, Mohammad Faisal, Halima Sadia, Tasneem Ahmed, Saurabh Shukla, Adil Kaleem.