Learn the crucial first step to take when threat actors exploit a critical vulnerability in an application. Prepare for the CISM certification exam with expert guidance on incident response best practices.
Table of Contents
Question
An information security team has confirmed that threat actors are taking advantage of a newly announced critical vulnerability within an application. Which of the following should be done FIRST?
A. Notify senior management.
B. Prevent access to the application.
C. Invoke the incident response plan.
D. Install additional application controls.
Answer
C. Invoke the incident response plan.
Explanation
When an information security team confirms that threat actors are actively exploiting a critical vulnerability in an application, the first priority should be to invoke the incident response plan. The incident response plan provides a structured approach to contain and mitigate the impact of the security incident.
Notifying senior management (Option A) is important to keep them informed, but it is not the most immediate action needed to address the active threat. Preventing access to the application (Option B) may be part of the containment measures outlined in the incident response plan, but invoking the plan should come first to ensure a coordinated response. Installing additional application controls (Option D) could be a remediation step after the incident is contained, but it is not the first priority during an active exploitation.
By invoking the incident response plan, the organization can:
- Activate the incident response team to coordinate efforts
- Assess the scope and impact of the incident
- Implement containment measures to limit further damage
- Gather and preserve evidence for investigation and potential legal action
- Communicate with relevant stakeholders, including senior management
- Document the incident and response activities
- Identify and apply lessons learned to prevent similar incidents
Having a well-defined and regularly tested incident response plan is crucial for organizations to effectively respond to security incidents and minimize their impact. Invoking this plan should be the first step when a critical vulnerability is being actively exploited.
The key points are:
- Invoking the incident response plan should be the first priority when a critical vulnerability is being actively exploited by threat actors
- The incident response plan provides a structured approach to contain and mitigate the impact
- Other steps like notifying management, preventing application access, and adding controls are important but secondary to invoking the response plan
- A well-defined and tested incident response plan is crucial for effectively responding to and minimizing the impact of security incidents
ISACA CISM certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the ISACA CISM exam and earn ISACA CISM certification.