What is the purpose of an incident response plan?

The purpose of an incident response plan is to effectively address and manage the aftermath of a security breach. This type of plan outlines the processes and procedures that organizations should follow when a security incident occurs, ensuring that responses are organized, efficient, and aimed at minimizing damage.

When a security breach happens, a well-crafted incident response plan enables quick identification of the incident, containment of the threat, eradication of the cause, recovery of affected systems, and communication to relevant stakeholders. This structured approach is essential for maintaining business continuity, protecting sensitive information, and mitigating potential damage to the organization’s reputation and assets.

While other choices might suggest relevant activities related to data management or software development, they do not capture the critical essence of an incident response plan, which is to specifically manage incidents following a breach and ensure a swift and effective recovery.