Authors: Kanak Patil
Abstract: This paper provides an overview of cybersecurity and digital forensics, two related fields that are critical for digital security. It explains the basic idea that cybersecurity is about preventing attacks (like a shield), while digital forensics is about investigating them after they happen (like a sword). The paper will look at how both fields developed over time, the main areas within cybersecurity, and the standard frameworks used, like the one from NIST. It will also cover the step-by-step process of a digital forensics investigation, including the importance of keeping a "chain of custody" for evidence. Using real-world examples like the Stuxnet worm, the Equifax data breach, and the WannaCry ransomware attack, this paper shows how these concepts are used in practice. It also discusses the legal and ethical challenges, such as data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA. Finally, the paper looks at future challenges, including the shortage of skilled professionals, new ways hackers are hiding their tracks, the role of Artificial Intelligence, and the threat of quantum computing to modern encryption. The main point is that to be effective, cybersecurity and digital forensics must work together, with the results of investigations helping to build stronger defenses for the future.
