What does the step 'Determine the sources of evidence' aim to achieve in forensic readiness planning?

The step 'Determine the sources of evidence' is crucial in forensic readiness planning as it focuses on identifying all potential sources of evidence that may be relevant in the event of an incident or investigation. This proactive approach enables organizations to understand where important data may reside, whether it be on servers, endpoints, cloud services, or other digital platforms. By doing so, it ensures that they are prepared to collect and analyze this evidence effectively if needed.

Identifying possible evidence sources allows organizations to strategize their data collection efforts, manage resources better, and enhance their overall incident response capabilities. It sets the foundation for subsequent forensic activities, ensuring that all relevant data types and locations are considered and can be acted upon efficiently. This comprehensive awareness of potential evidence is essential for a robust and effective forensic framework, ultimately leading to better investigatory outcomes.