Cybercrime has become a serious threat to the fundamental rights of individuals, to the rule of law in cyberspace and to the functioning of democratic societies. Cloud Computing provides several benefits such as increased flexibility, scalability and reduced cost. However, it also provides several challenges for digital forensics and criminal investigators.
In an investigation involving Cloud Computing services, investigators may seek access to the data held on computer systems located in foreign jurisdictions, held by foreign service providers or where the physical location of the data is unknown. Despite a growing adoption of Cloud Computing, law enforcement agencies and the judicial system are unprepared to prosecute Cloud-based crimes.
This article considers various forensic challenges for law enforcement in a Cloud Computing environment and discusses measures against cybercrime, involving electronic evidence given the transnational and volatile nature of electronic evidence. By focusing on problems and solutions we examine the whole extent of legal measures that need to be implemented.