What is the purpose of a digital forensics investigation?

The purpose of a digital forensics investigation is to collect, preserve, and analyze evidence from systems involved in incidents. This process is vital for understanding the nature of security breaches, cyberattacks, or any other form of digital misconduct. By meticulously gathering data and maintaining the integrity of that information, investigators can reconstruct events, determine how an incident occurred, and identify the responsible parties. This evidence can then be used in legal proceedings or to enhance future security measures.

While recovering lost files from damaged drives is a component of data recovery, it does not encompass the broader scope of a forensics investigation. Monitoring network traffic focuses more on real-time threat detection rather than evidence collection and analysis. Evaluating security software's effectiveness pertains to assessing protective measures rather than investigating incidents after they occur. Thus, the second choice succinctly captures the comprehensive and analytical nature of digital forensics.