What is the first step in incident response?

The first step in incident response is detecting the breach and assessing the threat. This initial phase is crucial because it sets the foundation for the entire incident response process. Without the ability to detect a breach, organizations cannot respond effectively to security incidents. By identifying the occurrence of an incident, responders can understand the nature and severity of the threat, which in turn informs their next steps in containing and mitigating the incident.

Once a breach is detected, responders can gather information, analyze system logs, and utilize intrusion detection systems to determine how the incident occurred. This assessment helps to prioritize the response actions and formulate a plan to address the threat. Detecting the incident early also minimizes potential damage and helps protect sensitive information, making it a critical component of a successful incident response strategy.