A cybersecurity analyst is responding to a data breach and needs to create a bit-for-bit forensic image of a hard drive from a compromised system. To ensure the original evidence is not modified and remains admissible in court, which of the following is the MOST critical tool to use during the imaging process?
Using a write blocker is the most critical tool to ensure digital evidence remains unaltered during acquisition. A write blocker, which can be hardware or software, creates a read-only connection to the storage device, preventing any data from being written to it. This is essential for maintaining the integrity of the original evidence for forensic analysis and legal proceedings. Simply labeling the device is a procedural step for chain of custody but offers no technical protection. Disconnecting the device from the network is a containment step but does not prevent alterations during direct access. Making copies without a write blocker risks modifying metadata or other data on the source drive.
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What is a write blocker and how does it work?
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Why is maintaining the integrity of digital evidence important in an investigation?
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Are write blockers used only for certain types of devices?