What is the importance of timeline analysis in digital forensics?

Creating a timeline of events can help forensic teams identify patterns and trace the origins of a cyberattack by providing a chronological sequence of activities leading up to and following the attack. This enables investigators to reconstruct the attack chain, understand the methods used by the hackers, determine the points of entry, identify the vulnerabilities exploited, and uncover the tools or malware deployed. Analyzing the timeline can reveal patterns of behavior, establish a timeline of events leading to the attack, and assist in attributing the attack to potential threat actors or groups.