A Novel Forensic Readiness Framework Applicable to the Drone Forensics Field

Area of Science:

• Digital Forensics
• Cybersecurity
• Aviation Technology

Background:

• The field of Drone Forensics (DRFs) is a specialized area within digital forensics focused on handling drone-related incidents.
• Existing DRF models primarily adopt a reactive approach, neglecting the crucial proactive forensic perspective.
• This gap limits the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations and evidence handling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel framework for drone forensics that incorporates both proactive and reactive stages.
• To introduce the Drone Forensics Readiness Framework (DRFRF) to enhance preparedness for drone incident investigations.
• To address the limitations of existing reactive models in the DRF domain.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the design science method to develop the Drone Forensics Readiness Framework (DRFRF).
• The proposed framework integrates a proactive forensic stage with a reactive forensic stage.
• Emphasized centralized logging of all drone events to streamline data acquisition during investigations.

Main Results:

• The DRFRF facilitates faster data gathering, enabling direct examination and analysis by forensic investigators.
• It enhances the utility of digital evidence while reducing the overall cost of forensic readiness.
• Comparative analysis demonstrated the novelty, efficiency, completeness, logicalness, and usefulness of DRFRF against existing models.

Conclusions:

• The DRFRF offers a comprehensive solution for drone forensics, applicable both before and after incidents.
• The framework significantly improves the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of digital forensic investigations involving drones.
• Implementing DRFRF enhances the overall preparedness and response capabilities in the field of drone forensics.