iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

What is essential for ensuring the integrity of evidence during cybersecurity investigations?

1. Effective incident response planning

2. Proper investigator skills and experiences

3. Regular system audits

4. Maintaining a detailed chain of custody

The correct answer is: Maintaining a detailed chain of custody

Maintaining a detailed chain of custody is crucial for ensuring the integrity of evidence during cybersecurity investigations. The chain of custody refers to the process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence from the moment it is collected until it is presented in court. This involves recording who collected the evidence, how it was collected, where it was stored, who had access to it, and how it was transported. This meticulous documentation is vital because it establishes the authenticity of the evidence and ensures that it has not been altered or tampered with at any point in the investigation. If evidence cannot be verified due to a broken chain of custody, it may be deemed inadmissible in a legal setting, which can jeopardize the entire investigation. Therefore, having a well-documented chain of custody preserves the integrity of the evidence and supports its reliability in legal or judicial proceedings. While effective incident response planning, proper investigator skills, and regular system audits contribute to overall cybersecurity practices and can assist in an investigation, they do not specifically guarantee the integrity of the evidence itself. The chain of custody uniquely addresses the continuity and preservation of the evidence’s integrity throughout the investigative process.