In incident response, what does the term "containment" mean?

Containment in incident response refers to the actions taken to limit the damage and prevent further exposure or impact of a security incident. This involves implementing strategies and measures that reduce the spread of the incident and protect affected systems and data from additional harm. By focusing on minimizing the impact, organizations can maintain operational integrity and safeguard critical assets while preparing for further response actions such as eradication and recovery.

This understanding is crucial in incident response processes because a rapid and effective containment strategy can significantly decrease the overall risk and potential losses associated with the incident. It emphasizes the importance of quick decision-making and action during a security breach, enabling teams to establish control over the situation before the response evolves into more in-depth investigations or recovery efforts.