VMSSS: A Proposed Model for Cloud Forensic in Cloud Computing Using VM Snapshot Server

Abstract

Cloud computing besides being used in industries it is also used in academics; existing cloud computing architectures do not support cloud forensic investigations and are also not forensic ready to a remarkable extent, and also the present tools which are being used in the cloud forensics do not support the elastic nature of cloud. We explore and expose several issues related to cloud forensics in cloud computing by keeping an eye on the concepts of cloud computing which are being developed and are utilized along with latest technologies and also the investments which are being made on cloud computing. Latest developments in technologies have created certain challenges which are emerging and have exposed that cloud has the potential to handle most computing technologies which are being transformative, one such challenging concepts which have been increasing its wait is cloud forensics. In this paper we have traced out the concepts which revolves around cloud forensics and here we propose a model which includes a VM SnapShot Server which continuously stores the snapshots of the cloud service provider and certain servers involved in computing moment by moment so that this would be useful for any digital crime related to cloud, as this plays a key role in identifying the correct cause of the mischief task which resulted in the loss or damage of the original data; this is also helpful during the cases where either the cloud service provider or the suspect gives an incorrect information during the investigation carried out in digital crime; this model also has certain advantages over the present existing models. When certain new activities such as uploading a malware in the cloud, downloading more files then the permissible number, more access from a location, cracking the saved passwords, launching and deleting malicious files, creating corrupted files on the sensitive data stored in the cloud such kind of things can also be traced out easily.