What is a security incident response plan?

A security incident response plan serves as a documented strategy that outlines the steps an organization should take when faced with a security incident. This plan includes detailed procedures for identifying, managing, and mitigating a security breach or threat effectively. It ensures that everyone in the organization understands their roles and responsibilities during such events, which is crucial for minimizing damage and recovering efficiently.

In the context of cybersecurity, incidents can range from data breaches and malware infections to denial-of-service attacks. The plan encompasses incident detection, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident review, ensuring that organizations are prepared and equipped to manage incidents and enhance their security posture over time.

The other options do not align with the fundamental purpose of a security incident response plan. The creation of new software relates to development practices, preventing data loss focuses on proactive measures rather than responses to incidents, and a checklist for hardware setup pertains to physical infrastructure rather than incident management.