Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

In forensic readiness planning, which step involves gathering information about what happens to potential evidence?

1. Define a policy for evidence extraction

2. Identify the potential evidence required for an incident

3. Determine the sources of evidence

4. Establish a legal advisory board

The correct answer is: Determine the sources of evidence

The correct answer revolves around the step that focuses on understanding where potential evidence might originate. Determining the sources of evidence is crucial in forensic readiness planning because it enables organizations to identify and catalog all possible locations and types of data that could be relevant in the event of a security incident. This proactive step ensures that when an incident occurs, the team has a clear understanding of where to look for evidence, facilitating a more efficient and effective investigation. By knowing the sources of evidence, organizations can develop strategies for capturing and preserving data before it is lost, altered, or destroyed. This foresight not only helps maintain the integrity of the evidence but also streamlines the incident response process. In contrast, defining a policy for evidence extraction focuses on the procedures for collecting data, which is important but comes after identifying potential sources. Identifying the potential evidence required is also significant but tends to relate more to what evidence is necessary rather than where it is located. Establishing a legal advisory board addresses the legal implications of data handling and may help guide the organization in compliance issues, but it does not directly involve the identification of evidence sources.