What is the main function of digital forensics in cybersecurity?

The main function of digital forensics in cybersecurity is to uncover and preserve evidence for legal cases. This process involves the identification, collection, analysis, and presentation of data that is stored electronically, which is crucial in investigating cybercrimes or security breaches. Digital forensics experts apply a variety of techniques and tools to ensure that all evidence is collected in a manner that maintains its integrity and can withstand scrutiny in a legal context.

The importance of digital forensics lies in its ability to provide critical insights into how a security incident occurred, what vulnerabilities were exploited, and who may be responsible for the attack. This information is not only essential for prosecuting criminal activities but also helps organizations improve their cybersecurity defenses and incident response strategies by learning from past incidents.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of IT and cybersecurity that do not directly align with the primary objective of digital forensics. For example, increasing system performance, optimizing data storage, and creating automated security protocols are all valuable components of IT management and cybersecurity, but they do not relate to the primary investigative purpose of digital forensics.