What is the role of memory forensics in cyber investigations?

Analyzing system memory is crucial in investigating cybersecurity incidents or malware infections because:

1. Real-time Information: System memory contains real-time information about running processes and services, giving insights into active malware or suspicious activities.

2. Malware Detection: Malware often resides in memory to avoid detection by traditional antivirus software. Analyzing memory helps in identifying such threats.

3. Root Cause Analysis: Memory analysis can help identify the root cause of an incident by providing details on how systems are compromised or what actions malware has taken.

4. Forensic Evidence: Memory analysis can provide important forensic evidence, such as network connections, system logs, and encryption keys, aiding in the investigation process.

5. Incident Response: Analyzing memory can help in quickly responding to incidents by identifying the extent of the compromise and implementing appropriate remediation measures.

In summary, analyzing system memory is essential for understanding the scope of a cybersecurity incident or malware infection, detecting hidden threats, and preparing an effective response strategy.