The use of SUAS (small-unmanned aerial systems) also known as "drones" is growing. However, this increased use of drones escalates the challenges faced by digital forensic investigators. The purpose of this research paper was to analyze the process of digital forensics of small-unmanned aerial systems in order to identify the reasons why they are becoming a cybersecurity threat. The major findings that emerged from the research are: (a) use of drones in law enforcements agencies such as Border Protection (CBP) and local Police; (b) targeted drones for the reasons of their payload value, data breach and cyber-attack capabilities, as well as being jammed and spoofed to be hijacked by criminals; (c) digital forensic on drones focusing on different components and associated devices such as laptops, mobile device, and the aircraft itself; and (d) crimes committed through the use of drones such as attempting to smuggle contrabands into prisons and to steal data from wireless communications. Based on these findings, multiple recommendations were proposed: (a) for drone investigators to review and create an academic-course that trains and certifies IT professionals and forensic examiners in order to keep up with the rapid growth of SUAS usage; (b) for drone manufacturers to develop built-in technology to locate hijacked, stolen, and even flyaway drones; and (c) for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require hobbyists and drone pilots to obtain a license to fly drones in the future
Keywords: Cybersecurity, drones, computer forensics, investigations, analysis, cyber-attack, payloads, Professor Albert Orbinati
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest, 2017
