What phase is Austin performing when he secures devices affected during an attack?

When Austin secures devices affected during an attack, he is engaged in the phase of evidence preservation. This phase is crucial in digital forensics because it involves taking steps to protect and maintain the integrity of the devices and data that may contain relevant information for an investigation.

Evidence preservation includes actions such as ensuring that the devices are not tampered with or altered in any way, controlled environmental conditions are maintained to prevent data loss, and that proper documentation is kept regarding the state of the devices at the time of seizure. This phase is also vital for maintaining the chain of custody, which is an essential aspect of legal procedures, as any mishandling of evidence can lead to it being deemed inadmissible in court.

In contrast, documentation pertains to the thorough recording of what evidence is found and how it is collected, while search and seizure involves the physical act of searching for and collecting evidence, and data analysis refers to examining the secured data for clues or information relevant to the investigation. While these aspects are all important parts of the digital forensics process, the act of securing devices specifically aligns with the evidence preservation phase.