5 Major Challenges of a Cellphone Forensics Specialist

Just like food, clothes, and shelter, cellphones have become one of the basic amenities of the modern world. Although it took a lot of time after Graham Bell’s invention, telephones turned into cellphones that took lesser time to get famous and become a means of daily use. Nowadays, people may not own a luxury mansion but do carry a luxurious mobile phone. With the pace of time, crime has also flung its wings through this technology. As a result, the need for digital forensics and cellphone forensics software has also increased. The digital forensics analysts revive evidence from digital data and help to catch the culprit. But the number of analysts is much less than the emerging number of cases every day. So, eminent enterprises are coming forward to give out computer forensics courses and mobile forensics training to maximize the number of analysts. Some of the challenges faced by mobile forensics analysts are discussed here.

Cellphone forensics is different from other digital forensics and has unique challenges to face. The forensic analyst and peace enforcement branch often face the hereafter challenges while obtaining evidence from mobile devices.

Variance in Hardware: The field of mobile phones is flooded with a vast range of products. There are hundreds of companies selling a hundred types of mobile phones. Each differs in size, hardware, and features and follows a short development cycle. Consequently, the frequent emergence of new models of mobile phones is regular. Every day you get a new handset which makes the job of the forensics analyst sturdy. Adapting to new defiance and remaining updated is a real challenge.

Security Features of Mobile Handsets: Mobile handsets are private properties of each one. Every item has protection for user data and privacy. For the acquisition and investigation of evidence, these protective walls become a barrier. It resists the cellphone forensics analysts from working freely. Nowadays, mobile devices have default encryption mechanisms. Breaking through these encryptions to extract data from the devices makes their job critical.

Operating System: Since there are various mobile phone selling companies, several operating systems are found in the market. Though people frequently find Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, other companies customize and sell their OS too. To name a few of them are Nokia’s Symbian OS, HP’s webOS, Microsoft’s Windows Mobile, etc. With every OS, the job of the cellphone forensics expert becomes stouter. An equipped cellphone forensics software can well manage this type of issue.

Shortage of Resources: The tools for a mobile handset forensics expert increase gradually with the gradual increase in mobile devices, software, and hardware. Different USB cables, batteries & chargers for various mobile phones often puzzle the analysts. Many peripherals are needed to be maintained to acquire all the devices.

Anti-Forensics Techniques: Some mobile handsets imply anti-forensics features, including data hiding, obfuscation, data forgery, and secure wiping. Intentionally or unintentionally, data evidence is easily altered. These kinds of stuff make the investigation of digital media more difficult.

Auto Reset and Device Alteration : It becomes difficult to investigate when the device has a passcode. Many of the mobile phones provide features to rest everything in case of danger. Auto-resets cause loss of data. Sometimes, the data in the handsets even alter their application, rename files, and modify manufacturers’ OS.

Legal Issues : The mobile devices obtained might be involved in crimes that cross geographical boundaries. The cellphone forensics expert might have to deal with multijurisdictional issues in these types of cases. It is a matter of fact to be aware of the crime and regional laws for the analyst.

Paraben Corporation produces different digital forensics tools to tackle digital frauds, data theft, information breaches, etc. The company has been helping enterprises and law enforcement agencies deal with digital crimes for the last 22 years. Their trusted clients encourage them to revise and renovate forensics software and educate pupils with computer forensics training and mobile forensics training courses.

Secure your data and networks with Paraben Corporations.