Creating "digital fingerprints" or cryptographic (hashing) checksums is part of which phase of the Alpha 5?

Creating "digital fingerprints" or cryptographic (hashing) checksums is part of the Authentication phase in the Alpha 5 framework. This phase is crucial to verify the integrity of data during a digital forensics investigation. When evidence is collected, hashing algorithms generate a unique string of characters from the data, allowing examiners to confirm that the data has not been altered or tampered with throughout the investigation process.

During the Authentication phase, the hash value serves as a reference point; if the data is rehashed later and the resulting value matches the original hash, it confirms that the evidence remains intact. This plays a vital role in maintaining the chain of custody and ensuring that findings can withstand scrutiny in legal contexts.

The Acquisition phase focuses on collecting data from various sources, while the Assessment phase involves evaluating the data for relevance and significance to the investigation. The Archive phase, on the other hand, pertains to the proper storage of collected data for future reference or as part of case files. None of these phases involve the hashing process, which is specifically tied to ensuring the data's integrity during the Authentication phase.