What method is typically used to verify the integrity of files in a secured environment?

Digital signatures are commonly utilized to verify the integrity of files in a secured environment. A digital signature is a cryptographic mechanism that allows a user to sign a document or file with their private key, which can then be verified by anyone with access to the corresponding public key. This process not only confirms the authenticity of the signer but also ensures that the content of the file has not been altered since it was signed. If even a single bit of the file changes, the digital signature will no longer match, indicating that the file's integrity has been compromised.

In contrast, file permissions, encryption, and access control lists have different primary functions. File permissions and access control lists (ACLs) govern who can access or modify a file, but they do not provide a mechanism for verifying whether the file has been altered. Encryption protects the data from unauthorized access, making it unreadable without decryption, but it does not inherently verify the integrity of the file. Therefore, in contexts where confirming that files have remained unchanged and authentic is crucial, digital signatures are the preferred method.