Which type of evidence is typically prioritized during a digital forensic investigation?

In a digital forensic investigation, volatile evidence is prioritized because it refers to data that can be easily lost or altered if not captured swiftly. This type of evidence includes items such as data in RAM, cache, and active network connections. Because these data points can disappear or change with system shutdowns, power loss, or other activities, capturing them promptly is critical for a thorough investigation.

Volatile information often contains important clues that can lead to understanding how an incident occurred, the behaviors of attackers or users, and the state of the system at the time of the incident. Therefore, prioritizing this evidence helps ensure that investigators gather the most relevant information before it potentially disappears, aiming for a complete and accurate picture of the digital environment under investigation.