What type of information requires a constant power supply to remain intact?

Volatile data is information that is temporarily stored in a computer's memory and requires a constant power supply to remain intact. This type of data exists in random access memory (RAM) and is lost when the device is powered off or restarted. Examples of volatile data include the content of opened applications, unsaved work, and certain network connections.

The importance of volatile data comes into play during forensic investigations, as it can provide real-time insights into user activities, system states, and other dynamic interactions that take place while the system is operational. Recovery of this data typically necessitates capturing it while the device is still powered on, as any interruption to the power supply can lead to complete loss of this crucial information.

Static data, on the other hand, refers to information that is stored on permanent media such as hard drives or solid-state drives, which does not require power to maintain its integrity. Mutable data involves information that can change over time, but its preservation does not depend on a continuous power supply like volatile data does. Digital copies are simply reproductions of information and too do not require power to stay intact once created.