What type of verification involves calculating hash values?

Calculating hash values is primarily associated with ensuring data integrity. When a hash function processes data, it generates a fixed-size string of characters that uniquely represents the content of that data. If any change occurs in the original data, even a minor alteration, the hash value will change significantly. This property is crucial for verifying that data has not been tampered with or corrupted during storage or transmission.

In the context of digital forensics and data management, a data integrity check using hash values allows investigators to confirm that the data collected from digital devices is exactly as it was at the time of acquisition. This method provides strong assurances about the authenticity and reliability of the data, aiding in maintaining the chain of custody and supporting any subsequent legal proceedings.

The other options, while related to specific aspects of data handling and security practices, do not revolve around the principle of hashing for validation purposes. Security validation generally assesses security controls or measures, functional validation ensures that software runs correctly, and data recovery verification focuses on the accuracy and completeness of data restoration processes.