# Electromagnetic Side-Channel Attacks: Potential for Progressing Hindered Digital Forensic Analysis

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Authors: Asanka Sayakkara; Nhien-An Le-Khac; Mark Scanlon

Venue: Proceedings of the International Workshop on Speculative Side Channel Analysis (WoSSCA 2018)

Year: 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3236454.3236512

PDF: https://forensicsandsecurity.com/publications/EMSideChannelsForForensics.pdf

Full text Markdown: https://forensicsandsecurity.com/publications/EMSideChannelsForForensics.full.md

## Contribution Summary

This paper discusses the potential of electromagnetic side-channel analysis in progressing hindered digital forensic investigations. The authors argue that EM side-channel attacks can provide a hands-off approach to accessing internal device information, overcoming encryption and limited standardization of IoT devices. The authors highlight the increasing use of IoT devices and the challenges they pose to traditional digital forensic techniques. They also discuss the potential of EM side-channel analysis in retrieving sensitive data, such as encryption keys, and its application in live data forensics. The authors conclude that EM side-channel analysis has significant potential to progress investigations obstructed by data encryption and limited standardization of IoT devices.

## Abstract

Digital forensics is fast-growing field involving the discovery and analysis of digital evidence acquired from electronic devices to assist investigations for law enforcement. Traditional digital forensic investigative approaches are often hampered by the data contained on these devices being encrypted. Furthermore, the increasing use of IoT devices with limited standardisation makes it difficult to analyse them with traditional techniques. This paper argues that electromagnetic side-channel analysis has significant potential to progress investigations obstructed by data encryption. Several potential avenues towards this goal are discussed.