Episode 54 — Forensic Analysis Fundamentals: Preservation, Collection, Integrity, and Chain of Custody (Task 14)
This episode introduces forensic analysis fundamentals that support credible investigations and defensible outcomes, especially when incidents have legal, regulatory, or disciplinary implications. You will learn why preservation matters, how collection methods differ for volatile versus non-volatile data, and how integrity is maintained through hashing and controlled handling. We will define chain of custody as a documentation discipline that records who handled evidence, when, and why, and how gaps in that chain can undermine conclusions even if the technical work was correct. You will also hear examples of common mistakes, such as altering a system during collection, failing to capture timestamps, or losing context that explains what “normal” looked like. Exam questions often test whether you can choose the method that best preserves evidence credibility while still supporting operational containment needs. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
