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Cloud Forensics Demystified
Cloud Forensics Demystified

Cloud Forensics Demystified: Decoding cloud investigation complexities for digital forensic professionals

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Profile Icon Ramakrishnan Profile Icon Haqanee
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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.5 (8 Ratings)
Paperback Feb 2024 384 pages 1st Edition
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Profile Icon Ramakrishnan Profile Icon Haqanee
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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.5 (8 Ratings)
Paperback Feb 2024 384 pages 1st Edition
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Cloud Forensics Demystified

Introduction to the Cloud

Cloud computing has been around for years – the concept of computing resources being offered to users or customers over the internet. While the concept is not new, it has been offered in various forms and can be deployed in various ways. The benefit of the cloud is that it natively offers scalability, the flexibility of resources (meaning you can choose how powerful resources you need, depending upon computational requirements), and cost-effectiveness, making it easier for organizations to plan for cloud adoption. As a result, organizations are now migrating their critical data and business applications to the cloud, creating new challenges for incident responders when investigating security incidents and data breaches. According to Gartner’s report, 80% of enterprises will be moving to a cloud-only strategy by 2025 and moving away from traditional data centers. Meanwhile, the IDG 2020 Cloud Computing survey indicates that at least 92% of companies...

Advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing

Every technology comes with its own set of complexities and challenges, and there is always a good and bad side of every technological evolution. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing.

Advantages:

  • Modernization and innovation: The cloud promotes new innovations. Cloud service providers investing in advanced infrastructural features allows researchers and enthusiasts to research and innovate new solutions, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), robotics, and so on.
  • Scalability: Clearly, a huge advantage of adopting the cloud for organizations is easier scalability of resources. Storage and computational power can be scaled up or down to suit the needs of the organization, applications, or user demands, and all this without any significant hardware or software investments. Cloud scalability is particularly useful for deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools...

An overview of cloud services

In today’s world, there are many services that are virtualized and can be made available in the cloud. The cloud offers scalability of resources and cost-effectiveness, which have been key to its success.

Generally, cloud computing is offered in the following service models:

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS provides users with access to virtualized resources such as servers, operating systems, storage, and networking. With IaaS, users are also allowed to customize their infrastructure. For example, they can enable storage encryption or configure the server to access a particular segment of the cloud network. This setup is typically applied by organizations who have their corporate data in the cloud and want to safeguard it from being generally accessible on the internet. It is also a security best practice to only allow cloud resources to access specific network connections, including corporate networks. In IaaS, users can create...

Cloud deployment models

It is important to understand that cloud services can be deployed through various means and have forensic implications for investigators. These models are a framework for how these services are hosted and delivered to users. We can typically classify cloud deployment into four different models: public, private, hybrid, and community models:

  • Public cloud: The most popular option for all users and service providers is a public cloud model. In this model, service providers can deliver their applications over a commonly used infrastructure. Typically, the public cloud is used for non-critical tasks, or by developers to develop and test their applications on a public cloud tenant. Some of the public cloud offerings could also include services such as file hosting services, file sharing services, and email services. In some cases, public cloud services are offered over multiple cloud service providers, for example, a public cloud application that is deployed...

Cloud adoption success stories

Many organizations h1ave adopted the cloud as their primary center to provide services to their customers. It is essential to understand how cloud infrastructure and applications differ from traditional on-premises IT environments and how to respond to incidents effectively in the cloud. By studying cloud adoption success stories, security professionals can learn about emerging cloud implementation trends and the associated threats and how to proactively address them.

The following case studies include some of the many examples of organizations that utilize the cloud for their business needs:

  • A large global entertainment streaming platform: This large streaming enterprise adopted the cloud, specifically AWS, to provide its streaming services to end users. As one of the world’s leading streaming providers, with more than 200 million members from 190 countries with more than 125 million hours of viewing, it uses AWS for storage, computation...

Impact of the cloud and other technologies

Cloud computing has had a significant impact on industries, the economy, and, most importantly, end users. Similar related technological innovations in ML, blockchain and cryptography, the Internet of Things (IoT), and so on have changed the way we utilize the cloud. The following are some of the impacts of related technological innovations and the cloud:

  • Containers: Containers are applications and associated dependencies packaged into a portable and lightweight unit that can be deployed and scaled quickly and efficiently. In cloud computing, containers can be used to enable microservices-based architectures, improve application performance and reliability, and enhance DevOps processes. The use of containers has also enabled container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes, which automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. These tools provide a way to manage large-scale container deployments and...

Summary

This was a quick refresher on cloud computing, including its basic concepts, the cloud’s evolution throughout the years, and the benefits of cloud computing. Additionally, this chapter discussed various deployment models, including public, private, and hybrid clouds, as well as various service models such as IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.

Understanding cloud computing is crucial for incident response professionals, as it has become an essential part of modern technology, and many organizations have adopted cloud-based solutions to store and process their data. It is therefore a complex infrastructure and having a sound understanding of how a cloud tenant can be set up in various forms and its complexities can help incident responders to effectively respond to security incidents and investigate in a forensically sound manner.

In the next chapter, we will learn about legal complexities and DFIR impacts as we learn about how to navigate jurisdiction and privacy regulations...

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Key benefits

  • Uncover the steps involved in cloud forensic investigations for M365 and Google Workspace
  • Explore tools and logs available within AWS, Azure, and Google for cloud investigations
  • Learn how to investigate containerized services such as Kubernetes and Docker
  • Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Description

As organizations embrace cloud-centric environments, it becomes imperative for security professionals to master the skills of effective cloud investigation. Cloud Forensics Demystified addresses this pressing need, explaining how to use cloud-native tools and logs together with traditional digital forensic techniques for a thorough cloud investigation. The book begins by giving you an overview of cloud services, followed by a detailed exploration of the tools and techniques used to investigate popular cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Progressing through the chapters, you’ll learn how to investigate Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and containerized environments such as Kubernetes. Throughout, the chapters emphasize the significance of the cloud, explaining which tools and logs need to be enabled for investigative purposes and demonstrating how to integrate them with traditional digital forensic tools and techniques to respond to cloud security incidents. By the end of this book, you’ll be well-equipped to handle security breaches in cloud-based environments and have a comprehensive understanding of the essential cloud-based logs vital to your investigations. This knowledge will enable you to swiftly acquire and scrutinize artifacts of interest in cloud security incidents.

Who is this book for?

This book is for cybersecurity professionals, incident responders, and IT professionals adapting to the paradigm shift toward cloud-centric environments. Anyone seeking a comprehensive guide to investigating security incidents in popular cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP, as well as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and containerized environments like Kubernetes will find this book useful. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to cloud security, this book offers insights and practical knowledge to enable you to handle and secure cloud-based infrastructure.

What you will learn

  • Explore the essential tools and logs for your cloud investigation
  • Master the overall incident response process and approach
  • Familiarize yourself with the MITRE ATT&CK framework for the cloud
  • Get to grips with live forensic analysis and threat hunting in the cloud
  • Learn about cloud evidence acquisition for offline analysis
  • Analyze compromised Kubernetes containers
  • Employ automated tools to collect logs from M365

Product Details

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Publication date : Feb 22, 2024
Length: 384 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781800564411
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Product Details

Publication date : Feb 22, 2024
Length: 384 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781800564411
Category :
Concepts :
Tools :

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Table of Contents

17 Chapters
Part 1: Cloud Fundamentals Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Cloud Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 2: Trends in Cyber and Privacy Laws and Their Impact on DFIR Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 3: Exploring the Major Cloud Providers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 4: DFIR Investigations – Logs in AWS Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 2: Forensic Readiness: Tools, Techniques, and Preparation for Cloud Forensics Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 5: DFIR Investigations – Logs in Azure Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 6: DFIR Investigations – Logs in GCP Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 7: Cloud Productivity Suites Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Part 3: Cloud Forensic Analysis – Responding to an Incident in the Cloud Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 8: The Digital Forensics and Incident Response Process Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 9: Common Attack Vectors and TTPs Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 10: Cloud Evidence Acquisition Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 11: Analyzing Compromised Containers Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Chapter 12: Analyzing Compromised Cloud Productivity Suites Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.5
(8 Ratings)
5 star 87.5%
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2 star 0%
1 star 12.5%
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Kyle Johnston Jun 12, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
The book is excellent for anyone interested in the forensic side of cloud technology. It’s well-organized and well-written, making it easy to follow. As a beginner myself, I found each section enlightening and never confusing. It goes deep on the technical side while still managing to explain everything thoroughly. The numerous well-done examples within each section also greatly enhance the learning experience and make it easy to follow along. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enter the DFIR/cybersecurity industry!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Cristian D Jun 10, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Clear and easy to read. Material is industry relevant and takes you through practical examples.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Seth Keyser Jun 19, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This book does a wonderful job of laying out the foundational concepts of digital forensics in the cloud and focusing on the major cloud providers: AWS, Azure, and GCP. The book also covers incident response in the cloud such as the basics of responding to incidents in the cloud, common attack vectors and TTPs, cloud evidence acquisition, containers, and cloud productivity suites.Overall, this is an essential book for DFIR professionals (and InfoSec/IT in general) to use for knowledge, understanding, and in day to day work. The Cybersecurity field needs more resources like this to help DFIR professionals respond to attacks, understand attacks, and prevent attacks in the cloud.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
TA Jun 11, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
This is an insightful read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of digital forensics in cloud environments. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and methodologies involved in conducting investigations in cloud-based systems. To all my DFIR connections this will be a great addition in your arsenal!
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Raymond Mar 06, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
A great overview of Cloud Investigation Essentials, explanation of cloud services and tools and techniques to investigate AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The book breaks downPlatform-Specific Insights on investigating Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and containerized environments such as Kubernetes.Integrate Tools and Logs: Learn which tools and logs are important and can be additional sources for investigations and can be combined with traditional forensic methods.A great guide to security breaches in cloud-based environments and the cloud-based logs and modern tools to gain valuable evidence and Incident Response information.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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