Framework: NIST 800-53 Audio Course

Evidence in media protection demonstrates that handling rules were followed and that sensitive content remained controlled throughout its lifecycle. For exam purposes, candidates should connect specific artifacts to each lifecycle stage: storage access logs and location inventories for custody at rest, transfer forms and courier receipts for movement, and destruction certificates linked to unique identifiers for end of life. Chain of custody is the thread that ties these artifacts together so an assessor can trace who had control, when, and under what authorization. Without it, organizations cannot credibly claim that exposure risk was minimized. Evidence must be contemporaneous, complete, and reconciled against asset registers so that missing entries trigger immediate investigation rather than becoming audit surprises.

Pitfalls cluster around convenience and ambiguity. Unlabeled drives, shared keys to storage rooms, unsynchronized inventory databases, and incomplete destruction records undermine assurance quickly. Another common failure is treating cloud snapshots or virtual disks as outside media rules, leaving logical artifacts unmanaged. Mature programs counter these gaps with periodic inventory spot checks, automated reconciliation between ticketing and custody logs, and policy that applies equally to physical and virtual media. Discrepancies are investigated with documented outcomes, and corrective actions adjust process or training to prevent recurrence. By elevating chain of custody from paperwork to a living control with feedback loops, organizations create verifiable protection for information that moves, rests, and eventually leaves the environment. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.