In digital forensics, what does the term "chain of custody" refer to?

The term "chain of custody" refers specifically to the process of tracking evidence handling and movement. In digital forensics, maintaining a proper chain of custody is crucial because it ensures that evidence collected during an investigation is preserved in its original state and remains credible for legal proceedings. This involves meticulously documenting every person who handles the evidence, the time of their handling, and the manner in which it is stored or transferred.

This documentation helps protect the integrity of the evidence and provides assurance that it has not been altered or tampered with during the investigation, which is essential for its acceptance in court. Thus, a well-maintained chain of custody establishes the reliability of the evidence, making it a fundamental principle in digital forensics and law enforcement investigations. Other aspects like securing data or analyzing it for patterns are essential components of the forensic process but do not directly define the chain of custody.