Systematic review of deep learning solutions for malware detection and forensic analysis in IoT

Abstract

The swift proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has presented considerable challenges in maintaining cybersecurity. As IoT ecosystems expand, they increasingly attract malware attacks, necessitating advanced detection and forensic analysis methods. This systematic review explores the application of deep learning techniques for malware detection and forensic analysis within IoT environments. The literature is organized into four distinct categories: IoT Security, Malware Forensics, Deep Learning, and Anti-Forensics. Each group was analyzed individually to identify common methodologies, techniques, and outcomes. Conducted a combined analysis to synthesize the findings across these categories, highlighting overarching trends and insights.This systematic review identifies several research gaps, including the need for comprehensive IoT-specific datasets, the integration of interdisciplinary methods, scalable real-time detection solutions, and advanced countermeasures against anti-forensic techniques. The primary issue addressed is the complexity of IoT malware and the limitations of current forensic methodologies. Through a robust methodological framework, this review synthesizes findings across these categories, highlighting common methodologies and outcomes. Identifying critical areas for future investigation, this review contributes to the advancement of cybersecurity in IoT environments, offering a comprehensive framework to guide future research and practice in developing more robust and effective security solutions.