In digital forensics, what does the term "chain of custody" refer to?

The term "chain of custody" refers to the process of documenting the handling of evidence throughout its lifecycle in a forensic investigation. This concept is crucial in digital forensics because it ensures that the evidence collected and analyzed is preserved in a way that maintains its integrity and authenticity. By meticulously documenting each person who has handled the evidence, the time and date of each transfer, and how the evidence was stored, investigators can demonstrate that the evidence has not been altered or tampered with. This is vital for establishing the credibility of the evidence in a court of law, as it helps to prevent any issues regarding its admissibility.

The other options pertain to different areas within the broader field of cybersecurity and digital forensics. Data encryption standards relate to methods used to secure information, digital file recovery methods involve techniques for retrieving lost or corrupted data, and network security protocols are guidelines for protecting networked systems. While all of these aspects are important in the field, they do not specifically relate to the concept of chain of custody, which is fundamentally about the handling and documentation of evidence.