Which of the following represents the correct order of volatility when collecting evidence?

The correct order of volatility in collecting evidence prioritizes the data that is most likely to be lost first, as it is the most transient. Understanding this hierarchy is crucial in forensics, as it ensures that the most critical data is preserved before it can be lost or overwritten.

In this context, CPU registers, being the fastest accessible storage and holding the most immediate and crucial information, sit at the top of the order. Following that, the CPU cache stores frequently accessed data and instructions, which can change often as the CPU processes tasks. RAM holds data that is actively being used by the operating system and applications, losing this data if power is lost or the system is shut down.

The hard drive, while containing a vast amount of data, is less volatile compared to real-time data held in RAM and caches, as it retains data even when the system is powered down. Therefore, remote logs, which can be collected later or may not be available at all times, are the least volatile in this context.

This order prioritizes the preservation of evidence that is most at risk of being lost, making it essential for effective digital forensic investigations.