Performing Cloud Storage Forensic Acquisition

Overview

Cloud storage forensic acquisition involves collecting digital evidence from services like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Box through both API-based remote acquisition and local endpoint artifact analysis. Modern investigations must address the challenge that cloud-synced files may exist in multiple states: locally synchronized, cloud-only (on-demand), cached, and deleted. Endpoint devices that have synchronized with cloud storage contain a wealth of metadata about locally synced files, files present only in the cloud, and even deleted items recoverable from cache folders. API-based acquisition using service-specific APIs provides direct access to remote data with valid credentials and proper legal authorization.

When to Use

• When conducting security assessments that involve performing cloud storage forensic acquisition
• When following incident response procedures for related security events
• When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
• When validating security controls through hands-on testing

Prerequisites

• Legal authorization (warrant, consent, or corporate policy) for cloud data access
• Valid user credentials or administrative access tokens
• Magnet AXIOM Cloud, Cellebrite Cloud Analyzer, or equivalent tool