What is the first step in the incident response lifecycle?

The first step in the incident response lifecycle is preparation. This phase is crucial because it lays the groundwork for effective incident response and involves establishing policies, procedures, and tools that will be necessary when an incident occurs. It encompasses training personnel, conducting simulations, and developing incident response plans designed to help teams respond swiftly and effectively to security incidents.

Preparation ensures that the organization is ready to identify and respond to incidents as they arise, minimizing potential damage and recovery time. It involves assessing risks, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring that resources are in place for a coordinated response. This foundational work is essential to streamline and enhance the efficiency of subsequent phases in the incident response lifecycle, such as detection, containment, eradication, and recovery.