To preserve cloud-based digital evidence, what should be done immediately?

To preserve cloud-based digital evidence, sending a letter of preservation to the provider is the appropriate action to take. This letter serves as a formal request to the cloud service provider to retain specific data that may be relevant to an investigation. By doing so, law enforcement ensures that the provider does not inadvertently delete or alter the data in question, which could be crucial for evidence in legal proceedings.

The importance of this step lies in the nature of cloud storage, where data can be easily modified, deleted, or otherwise managed by users and providers. The letter of preservation acts as an official notice that the data is of interest and should be kept intact for potential future use in court.

This action demonstrates adherence to proper protocol in handling digital evidence, ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained and that the integrity of the evidence is preserved. Other options, such as ignoring the evidence, requesting its destruction, or relying solely on a phone call, do not provide the same level of accountability or formal documentation needed for legal processes.