Which type of digital evidence is lost as soon as a computer system is powered off?

Volatile data refers to information that is temporarily stored and is lost once the power to the computer system is turned off. This type of data resides in the system’s memory (such as RAM) and includes active processes, network connections, and session information. When the system loses power, all data held in the volatility of RAM is immediately cleared, making volatile data critical in forensic investigations that rely on live system analysis to gather evidence of current activities.

In contrast, non-volatile data, persistent data, and archived data are forms of data that remain intact even after the system is powered off. Non-volatile data is typically stored on hard drives or solid-state drives, while persistent data is data that is saved to ensure it remains available beyond the current session. Archived data is often stored for long-term preservation and can be retrieved even after significant time periods. These types of data are essential for investigations but can be accessed only after the system has been powered down, unlike volatile data which must be captured live.