What is Hard Copy
A hard copy is a printed version of a digital document or a physical copy of a document that cannot be easily edited or manipulated like digital files. It serves as a tangible and unalterable record of system and server activity logs. Dot matrix printers are commonly used to create hard copies, as they can sequentially print each log entry, ensuring that the printed pages cannot be removed or altered without evidence of tampering.
Creating a hard copy provides a reliable and unchangeable record of system activity. By simultaneously printing the log entries line-by-line, any attempts by a remote attacker to alter or delete the contents of the logs would be ineffective, as the hard copy record would serve as evidence of the original system activity. This helps in IT security by preserving the integrity of the system logs and enabling system administrators and security experts to analyze the printed records for any suspicious or unauthorized activities.