In forensics, what does the term 'volatile memory' refer to?

The term 'volatile memory' in forensics specifically refers to memory that requires power to maintain the stored information. This type of memory loses its content when the power is turned off, making it critical for forensic investigators to capture this data while the device is still powered on. Examples of volatile memory include Random Access Memory (RAM) and cache memory, which are essential for temporary data processing and immediate tasks being executed by a computer or device.

Understanding the nature of volatile memory is vital in forensic investigations because it often contains valuable information related to user activity, open applications, and system states at the time of an incident. This data can be crucial for reconstructing events and understanding a suspect's actions.

In contrast, permanent storage retains data without the need for power, such as hard drives and solid-state drives, which is referred to as non-volatile memory. Data stored in cloud services and encrypted memory do not primarily define the characteristics of volatile memory and pertain to different aspects of data security and storage.