What does electronic discovery (e-discovery) entail?

Electronic discovery, often referred to as e-discovery, involves the process of locating, securing, and collecting electronic information that is relevant to legal proceedings. This process is critical in litigation, where evidence must be gathered from various electronic sources such as emails, documents, databases, and other forms of digital communication.

The reason this is the correct answer is that e-discovery is fundamentally focused on identifying pertinent information that can aid in legal decision-making. It requires not only finding this data but also ensuring it is preserved in a manner that maintains its integrity for potential use in court. This is particularly important in the context of adherence to legal standards and regulations related to data handling.

Other options do not accurately define e-discovery. Creating new electronic files does not reflect the essence of e-discovery, which is about retrieving existing information. Deleting unnecessary data goes against the purpose of e-discovery, which emphasizes the retention and securing of data for legal scrutiny. Lastly, while sharing documents can be a part of post-discovery processes, it does not encapsulate the core activity of e-discovery itself. The focus remains on acquisition and retention rather than sharing.