What does the term 'first response' refer to in incident handling?

The term 'first response' in incident handling refers specifically to the initial assessment of the incident. This phase is crucial as it sets the stage for how the incident is managed and mitigated. During the first response, the incident handlers evaluate the situation to determine the scope of the incident, assess the potential impact on the organization, and gather relevant information. This stage involves identifying whether the incident is an actual security breach, the type of attack, and the assets involved.

Effective first response actions can significantly influence the overall outcome of the incident. By promptly and accurately assessing the situation, incident handlers are able to initiate appropriate countermeasures to contain the incident, limit damage, and prevent further impact. This proactive approach is foundational in the incident response lifecycle, ensuring that subsequent stages, such as recovery or forensic analysis, are informed by accurate assessments.

In contrast, other options such as recovery of data, post-incident review, and forensic analysis occur later in the incident handling process. They follow the first response and are integral to restoring normal operations, learning from the incident, and understanding how it occurred, respectively. Therefore, the emphasis on initial assessment within the first response phase is key to effective incident handling.