Biography:  Dr. Umit Karabiyik (Dr. K) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Technology at Purdue University. Prior to his appointment at Purdue, Dr. K was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Sam Houston State University from 2015 to 2018. Dr. K is a First Generation Student and received his B.S. degree in Computer Systems Teaching from Sakarya University in 2006, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from Florida State University in 2010 and 2015, respectively. His research interests broadly lie in Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, Forensic Intelligence, User and Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence in Security, Privacy and Forensic Applications. He has secured federal and industrial funding from the U.S. National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, The National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dr. K has developed and delivered several mobile and IoT forensics training courses and technical assistance for law enforcement and justice system professionals. He is an Associate Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law, Topic Editor for MDPI’s Electronics journal, Junior Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Surveillance, Security and Safety, conference chair and/or technical program committee member of high-quality international conferences in Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, and Networking. 

Title:  “Cyber Forensics at Scale: Investigating Cyber-Physical Environments in the Age of Smart Everything” 

Abstract: The widespread adoption of IoT devices, wearable technologies, smart city infrastructure, and connected industrial systems has created an unprecedented volume and diversity of digital evidence. Investigators today must examine not only mobile phones and computers but also baby monitors, doorbells, cars, smartwatches, and virtual assistants—each with distinct data storage patterns, communication protocols, and forensic challenges.

This keynote addresses the emerging realities and operational demands of conducting cyber forensic investigations in cyber-physical environments. Drawing on years of applied research in mobile and IoT forensics, national training programs, and collaboration with justice agencies, I will outline practical techniques for identifying, collecting, and analyzing digital evidence from interconnected systems. Emphasis will be placed on real-world case studies involving smart homes, fitness trackers, smart vehicles, and social platforms, as well as tools and workflows that scale forensic analysis beyond traditional devices.

While the core of forensic practice remains grounded in validated processes and toolsets, the discipline is being reshaped by the emergence of artificial intelligence—particularly large language models and automated inference systems. These technologies are enhancing capabilities such as contextual log analysis, semantic artifact grouping, and prioritization of investigative leads. I will highlight where such tools are already proving effective in practice, without compromising the forensic soundness required for legal proceedings.

Key technical challenges—such as device identification, encrypted data handling, volatile cloud artifacts, and cross-platform correlation—will be explored, along with strategies for maintaining evidentiary integrity. This session is designed for researchers, engineers, and practitioners seeking insight into the evolving landscape of cyber forensics in smart ecosystems—and how we can prepare for the investigative demands of tomorrow’s connected world.