Digital Forensic Readiness in Organizations: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

With the evolution in digital technologies, organizations have been forced to change the way they plan, develop, and enact their information technology strategies. This is because modern digital technologies do not only present new opportunities to business organizations, but also a different set of issues and challenges that need to be resolved. With the rising threats of cybercrimes, for example, which have been accelerated by the emergence of new digital technologies, many organizations, as well as law enforcement agencies globally, are now erecting proactive measures as a way to increase their ability to respond to security incidents as well as create a digital forensic ready environment. It is for this reason that this paper presents the different issues and challenges surrounding the implementation of digital forensic readiness in organizations. The main areas of concentration will be: the different proactive measures that organizations can embrace as a way to increase the ability to respond to security incidents and create a digital forensic-ready environment. However, the paper will also look into the issues and challenges pertaining to data retention and disposition in organizations which may also have some effects on the implementation of digital forensic readiness. This is backed up by the fact that although the need for digital forensics and digital evidence in organizations has been explored, as has been the need for digital forensic readiness within organizations, decision- makers still need to understand what is needed within their organizations to ensure effective implementation of digital forensic readiness.