What is the initial step a company should take when experiencing a security breach?

When a company experiences a security breach, the initial step is to contain the breach. This action is critical because it aims to prevent further damage and stop any ongoing unauthorized access to systems or data. By containing the breach, the organization can isolate affected systems, restrict the attacker's access, and limit the spread of any malicious activity. This helps in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of the remaining systems.

Once containment is established, the company can then move on to assess the damage, recover from backups, and implement additional security measures, such as changing passwords. However, without first containing the breach, any recovery efforts or damage assessments may become moot, as the threat could continue to escalate during those processes.