Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

In forensic terms, what is the process of making a copy of data for examination called?

1. Data acquisition

2. Data analysis

3. Data recovery

4. Data encryption

The correct answer is: Data acquisition

The process of making a copy of data for examination in forensic terms is referred to as data acquisition. This is a critical step in digital forensics, as it involves creating an accurate and complete image of the original data, ensuring that the integrity of the data is maintained for further analysis. During data acquisition, forensic examiners utilize specialized tools and techniques to capture data in a way that preserves original timestamps, metadata, and the overall structure of the file system. This is essential for maintaining the chain of custody and ensuring that any findings can be legally defended in court. Data analysis involves examining the acquired data to identify, interpret, and present the relevant information found, while data recovery focuses on retrieving lost or inaccessible data. Data encryption refers to the process of encoding data to protect its confidentiality, which does not relate to the specific task of creating copies for examination. Thus, data acquisition is fundamental to the forensic process, establishing the groundwork for all subsequent actions taken during an investigation.