ISC2 CISSP Practice Question

Call logs are valuable artifacts but do not typically contain detailed timestamp information needed for a comprehensive timeline. System logs provide general system events but may lack specific user activities. Cached browser data contains web activity information but can be incomplete.

Mobile device timestamps and metadata are the most valuable artifacts for establishing a timeline during an investigation because they provide crucial chronological information about when specific actions occurred on the device. These timestamps are embedded in various files and data structures throughout the device, including message exchanges, application usage, file modifications, photo metadata (EXIF data), network connections, and location data. This metadata creates a comprehensive chronological record that forensic investigators can use to reconstruct the sequence of events and correlate activities with other evidence in the case. The timestamp information helps establish when the device was used in relation to the security breach and can be critical in proving or disproving involvement in the incident.