What does the term "volatile data" refer to?

The term "volatile data" specifically refers to data that is stored in a form that requires continuous power to maintain its integrity, meaning that this data will be lost when the device is turned off or experiences a power failure. An example of volatile data is the information stored in a computer's Random Access Memory (RAM), which is cleared once the power is disconnected. This type of data is crucial for forensic investigations because it often contains temporary information such as active processes, open files, and system states at the time of the powering down, which can be highly relevant for understanding a device’s operational state during an incident.

In contrast, data that is permanently stored on a hard disk is non-volatile; it remains intact without power. Recoverable data even after deletion refers to data that may still be present on a storage device but is marked as deleted, which also classifies as non-volatile. Encrypted data, while an important concept in digital forensics, does not inherently relate to the volatility aspect, as it can be either volatile or non-volatile depending on where and how it is stored. Thus, the definition of volatile data is accurately captured by its relationship to power and whether it persists or disappears accordingly.