Publication

Abstract : This study aims to address the growing cyber threats and the spread of digital misinformation, particularly intensified by digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to explore the evolving role of digital forensics (DF) in ensuring cybersecurity and misinformation control, with implications for societal stability and progress. By utilizing bibliometric and content analysis, we examined the landscape of 3608 DF publications from 2013 to 2023 drawn from the Scopus database. The analysis included bibliometric indicators, open access trends, author collaboration patterns, influential publications, and the geographical distribution of contributions. The decade has seen significant growth in DF research, with open access publications increasing from 25% in 2013 to 34.5% in 2023. Notably, a gender gap exists, with male researchers predominantly leading (82%). International collaborations have surged in areas such as forensic engineering and the Internet of Things (IoT). Three primary thematic clusters were identified: computer forensics, multimedia forensics, and cloud network forensics. Remarkably, DF research contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), followed by SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). By highlighting the strategic integration of DF with SDGs, this study underscores DF’s critical role in promoting just and secure societies, sustainable economic growth, and the resilience of industrial and energy infrastructures against cyber threats. DF is advocated for its proactive use in policy-making, urban development, and infrastructure protection to enhance the impact of the SDGs. This holistic approach positions DF not only as a tool for crime investigation but also as a fundamental component in advancing cybersecurity and energy policy, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development and societal resilience. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.