What is a tamper-evident audit trail and where is it used?

• A. A mechanism that records activities and shows if records were altered; used in digital repositories to ensure integrity.
• B. A visual label indicating a file's author.
• C. A plan to encrypt all stored records.
• D. A process for archiving old records.

Answer: (B)

A tamper-evident audit trail is a secure log that records who did what, when, and from where, and it links entries so that any change to the records or the log itself is detectable. This provides accountability and helps preserve the integrity of electronic records by making tampering evident. You’ll typically see it in digital repositories, e-records systems, financial and healthcare records, and other information governance environments where proving that records haven’t been altered is crucial for trust and compliance.

The idea isn’t just about labeling who authored a file. A visual label is metadata about authorship, not a mechanism for detecting or proving modifications. Encrypting stored records focuses on confidentiality, not on tracking activity or detecting tampering. Archiving old records deals with retention and long-term storage, not with ensuring the ongoing integrity of current records.