Which of the following best characterizes the purpose of hashing logs in IT security?

Hashing logs plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and nonrepudiation of data in IT security. When logs are hashed, a unique hash value is generated based on the contents of the log file. This hash value acts as a digital fingerprint of the log, and any alteration to the log will result in a different hash value. Thus, by comparing the hash values, organizations can detect unauthorized changes to log files, which is vital for maintaining the integrity of records.

Nonrepudiation is also supported through hashing, as it provides verifiable proof that a log was indeed created at a certain time and has not been tampered with. This is particularly important in security investigations, where the authenticity of logs can be critical in understanding security incidents and holding individuals accountable.

While easy access, storage cost reduction, and improved processing speed are important considerations in data management, they do not accurately capture the primary security functions of hashing logs, which are focused on confirming the original state of the logs and preventing any potential tampering.