Santosh Khadsare | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | University of Pune |
| Occupation | Digital forensics professional, cybersecurity specialist, author |
| Known for | Digital forensics, incident response, cybersecurity education |
Notable work | Cybersecurity: Career Paths and Progression |
| Website | https://www.santoshkhadsare.com/ |
Santosh Khadsare is an Indian digital forensics and cybersecurity professional, author and editor. His professional work has included digital evidence investigation, incident response, forensic laboratory operations, technical research and cybersecurity education. He has contributed to professional publications, participated in conferences on digital forensics and co-authored a book about cybersecurity careers.[1][2][3]
Education and early career[edit | edit source]
Khadsare graduated in electronics and telecommunications engineering from the University of Pune in 1999. He began his career in telecommunications and networking before undertaking further training in cybercrime investigation and digital forensics. In a 2021 interview with Forensic Focus, he discussed his transition into digital investigations and changes in the types of electronic devices examined by forensic specialists.[1]
An interview published by Hackers Interview also discussed his professional qualifications, experience in information security and involvement in cybersecurity conferences.[4]
Professional career[edit | edit source]
Khadsare has worked in digital forensics, information security, cybercrime investigation and incident response. A 2022 interview published by Legal Desire identified him as vice president for digital forensics and incident response at eSec Forte Technologies and described his earlier work heading a digital forensic laboratory at CERT-In, under India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.[2]
His professional activities have included examining digital evidence, developing forensic practices and sharing knowledge about the investigation of electronic devices. His interview with Forensic Focus covered the evolution of digital investigations, the increasing complexity of digital evidence and the importance of training for forensic practitioners.[1]
A profile published by the International Association of Scientists and Researchers also describes his experience in digital forensics and incident response and records his participation in professional activities and technical conferences.[5]
Research and technical publications[edit | edit source]
Khadsare has published and co-authored technical work on digital forensics, cybersecurity and information security. His listed research includes covert communications, forensic reporting, professional qualifications in cyber forensics and the security challenges associated with industrial control systems.[6][7]
In 2016, he co-authored the paper "Covert Communication Techniques used by Next Gen High Tech Terrorists", published in CSI Communications.[6]
His other publications include "Grouping of Professionals in Cyber Forensics" and "Digital Forensic Report", published in the Digital Forensics (4N6) Journal in 2020. In 2021, he co-authored the conference paper "Security Challenges in Industry 4.0 SCADA Systems – A Digital Forensic Prospective", which examined challenges in conducting digital forensic investigations of industrial control systems.[6]
Khadsare also wrote "Solid State Device (SSD) Forensics: A Nightmare for Cyber Forensics Investigators". The article examined the challenges posed by solid-state storage devices during digital evidence recovery and investigation. It appeared in the National Cyber Defence Reference Handbook II.[8]
His work on forensic evidence and legal proceedings includes "Testimony of the Digital Forensics Expert Witness", listed as a publication in eForensics Magazine.[9]
Professional education and knowledge-sharing[edit | edit source]
In 2020, Khadsare participated in the initiative "25 Days, 25 Questions", which focused on professional practices and qualifications in digital forensics. The accompanying series published by Forensic Focus addressed forensic investigation procedures, professional qualifications, expert testimony and laboratory standards.[10][11][12][13]
The series brought together professional perspectives on forensic training, investigative standards and the presentation of digital evidence in legal proceedings. It also referenced Khadsare's earlier work on qualifications in cyber forensics.[11]
Khadsare has participated in technical conferences on cybersecurity and digital forensics. The C0c0n conference website lists him among the speakers at its 2016 event, where his technical work included solid-state drive forensics.[14]
In January 2024, he presented "CSAM: How LEAs Can Tackle It" at the 21st Annual IFIP WG 11.9 International Conference on Digital Forensics, hosted by C3iHub at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur in collaboration with the University of Tulsa.[3]
A report published by The420.in on a C3iHub cybersecurity webinar also quoted Khadsare discussing digital forensic investigations and the development of tools for cybersecurity practitioners.[15]
His professional activities have also included talks and discussions on cybersecurity and forensic investigation at events listed by conference organizers and professional associations.[16][17]
Book[edit | edit source]
Khadsare co-authored Cybersecurity: Career Paths and Progression, published by BecomeShakespeare.com in 2022, with Evita K-Breukel and Rakhi R. Wadhwani. The book discusses career opportunities, professional roles and qualifications in cybersecurity.[18]
The book is listed in his professional publication history and is included in the available bibliographic record.[7][18]
Editorial work[edit | edit source]
Khadsare has been associated with Digital Forensics (4N6), a publication focused on digital evidence, cybercrime investigation, incident response and forensic technologies. The publication's website identifies him as its founder and editor-in-chief.[19]
The publication's editorial work includes articles and technical discussions intended for digital forensic investigators, researchers, students and cybersecurity professionals. The publication's archive contains material relating to forensic techniques and investigation practices.[20]
Awards and recognition[edit | edit source]
Khadsare's professional profile lists recognition associated with the MDI-ISAC National Cyber Security Scholar Program in 2020, including an award for a technical paper on digital forensics in Industry 4.0. His professional record also lists participation in cybersecurity workshops and conferences.[7][2]
The Nullcon website includes a Blackshield Awards section for its 2017 Goa conference. The relevant entry should be checked against the original award wording before the exact title and category are stated in the article.[21]
The Computer Society of India, Mumbai Chapter, has also published a cybersecurity awardee document that may provide further details of professional recognition associated with his name.[22]
Public engagement[edit | edit source]
Khadsare has participated in interviews, professional discussions and public presentations about cybercrime investigation and digital forensics. His interview with Forensic Focus addressed developments in the investigation of electronic devices and the changing requirements of forensic practice.[1]
A professional interview published by LifePage discusses digital forensic investigation as a career and describes the work associated with examining electronic evidence.[23]
A TEDx presentation and cybersecurity podcast have also been circulated online under titles associated with digital forensics and incident response. These materials may be used to verify the subjects of his public presentations, provided the speaker attribution is confirmed from the original recordings.[24][25]
Selected publications[edit | edit source]
- "Covert Communication Techniques used by Next Gen High Tech Terrorists" (2016), CSI Communications.[6]
- "Solid State Device (SSD) Forensics: A Nightmare for Cyber Forensics Investigators".[8]
- "Testimony of the Digital Forensics Expert Witness", eForensics Magazine.[9]
- "Grouping of Professionals in Cyber Forensics" (2020), Digital Forensics (4N6) Journal.[6]
- "Digital Forensic Report" (2020), Digital Forensics (4N6) Journal.[6]
- "Security Challenges in Industry 4.0 SCADA Systems – A Digital Forensic Prospective" (2021).[6]
- Cybersecurity: Career Paths and Progression (2022), co-authored book.[18]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Santosh Khadsare, Cyber Forensics Expert, New Delhi, India". Forensic Focus. 3 March 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "In Conversation with Lt. Col. (Dr.) Santosh Khadsare (Retd.), Vice President (DFIR), eSec Forte Technologies". Legal Desire. 24 August 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "21st Annual IFIP WG 11.9 International Conference on Digital Forensics". Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
- ↑ "Exclusive Interview With Digital Forensics Expert From India: Santosh Khadsare". Hackers Interview.
- ↑ "Speaker's Profile: Santosh Khadsare" (PDF). International Association of Scientists and Researchers.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "Santosh Khadsare research profile". ResearchGate.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Santosh Khadsare: professional profile and publications". LinkedIn.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "National Cyber Defence Reference Handbook II" (PDF).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Testimony of the Digital Forensics Expert Witness". eForensics Magazine.
- ↑ "25 Days, 25 Questions: Part 1 – Process and Practice". Forensic Focus.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "25 Days, 25 Questions: Part 2 – Professional Digital Forensics Qualifications". Forensic Focus.
- ↑ "25 Days, 25 Questions: Part 3 – Professional Digital Forensics Qualifications in Court". Forensic Focus.
- ↑ "25 Days, 25 Questions: Part 4 – Lab and Tool Standards". Forensic Focus.
- ↑ "C0c0n 2016 speakers". C0c0n.
- ↑ "C3iHub-IIT Kanpur Holds Cyber Forensics Webinar; Aims To Motivate Young Creators To Develop Indigenous Tools". The420.in.
- ↑ "CIIS 2021 report" (PDF).
- ↑ "Digital Management Conclave". GESIA.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "Cybersecurity: Career Paths and Progression". Google Books.
- ↑ "About Us". Digital Forensics (4N6).
- ↑ "Digital Forensics (4N6) archive" (PDF). Digital Forensics (4N6).
- ↑ "Blackshield Awards 2017". Nullcon.
- ↑ "CSI Cyber Security Awardees" (PDF). Computer Society of India, Mumbai Chapter.
- ↑ "Digital Forensic Investigation". LifePage.
- ↑ "The Forensic Frontier – TEDxPVGCOET". YouTube.
- ↑ "From Incidents to Insights: DFIR Deep Dive". YouTube.