Tools such as Encase and FTK are primarily used for what purpose in cybersecurity?

Encase and FTK are forensic analysis tools widely recognized in the cybersecurity field for their robust features in data recovery and investigation. Their primary purpose is to examine and analyze digital evidence, which is crucial in incidents where data integrity and security have been compromised, such as during cyberattacks or data breaches.

These tools allow cybersecurity professionals to create bit-by-bit images of digital storage mediums, ensuring that the original data remains intact while enabling thorough examination and analysis of file systems, deleted files, and other relevant artifacts. This forensic examination helps establish a timeline of events, identify points of intrusion, and gather evidence that can be used in legal proceedings.

In contrast, network monitoring focuses on observing and analyzing network traffic to detect anomalies and potential security threats in real-time. Vulnerability scanning is aimed at identifying weaknesses in system configurations and applications that could be exploited by attackers. Data encryption involves converting information into a coded format to prevent unauthorized access. Each of these functions serves different aspects of cybersecurity.