In the context of IT, what is considered secondary evidence?

In the context of IT and forensic investigations, secondary evidence refers to any information that is not originally captured or produced directly from the event or situation being investigated but instead derives from an interpretation or communication of primary evidence. Logs and documents from systems serve as valuable records that provide insights into system activities, user actions, or events that occurred. These records, while not direct evidence of an event (like a video or photograph would be), still play a critical role in reconstructing timelines and understanding context, which is why they are classified as secondary evidence.

The other options involve different types of evidence. Digital photographs are primary evidence since they directly document the crime scene. Witness testimonies and in-person depositions also fall into the realm of primary evidence as they convey first-hand accounts and recollections of observed events, forming the basis for establishing facts in legal and investigative contexts. Thus, while logs and documents (secondary evidence) are essential for supporting investigations, they are fundamentally different from items that present a direct account of events or actions taken.