Standardizing Industrial Internet of Things (<scp>IIoT</scp>) Forensic Processes

ABSTRACT In the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the absence of standardized forensic processes presents substantial hurdles to effective investigations. As IIoT devices become ubiquitous in critical infrastructure, ensuring consistency and reliability in forensic procedures becomes imperative. This paper aims to front the critical need for standardized IIoT forensic processes, challenges, impact and industry and government roles in achieving this. The motivation for this study is underscored by recent incidents where the absence of standardization impeded forensic analysis, leading to delayed or inconclusive results. By proposing a taxonomy of forensic processes tailored to the IIoT landscape, this paper examines and reviews the challenges, impacts, and the roles of industry and government in achieving standardization. The proposed approach aims to significantly enhance the ability of investigators to conduct thorough forensic investigations, ultimately improving accountability, security, and resilience in IIoT ecosystems.