Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

What is the first step in forensic readiness planning?

1. Establish a legal advisory board

2. Identify the potential evidence required for an incident

3. Define a policy for evidence extraction

4. Determine the sources of evidence

The correct answer is: Determine the sources of evidence

Determining the sources of evidence is a fundamental first step in forensic readiness planning because it establishes a clear understanding of where relevant data may reside within an organization’s digital ecosystem. This involves identifying all potential digital devices, networks, and systems that could provide important data in the event of a security incident, ensuring that any evidence collected is relevant and useful for analysis. By recognizing the sources of evidence early in the planning process, organizations can set up appropriate measures to ensure data integrity and availability. This preparation helps facilitate more efficient and effective responses to incidents, as forensic investigators will know the specific systems to target for data collection. While the other options are important components of a comprehensive forensic readiness strategy—such as defining policies or establishing legal guidelines—they are subsequent steps that build on the foundational knowledge gained from identifying potential evidence sources. The success of these later stages heavily relies on having a thorough understanding of where evidence may be obtained.