What document should be created after responding to a security incident?

Creating an incident report after responding to a security incident is a critical step in the incident response process. The incident report serves multiple key purposes. First, it captures all relevant details about the incident, including when it occurred, what systems were affected, the response actions taken, and the outcomes. This documentation provides a comprehensive account that can be invaluable for understanding the incident’s impact.

Moreover, the incident report is fundamental for a retrospective analysis that aids in identifying weaknesses in the security posture and helps to inform future security improvements. It allows organizations to track patterns in incidents, which can be essential for enhancing detection and response strategies going forward.

In contrast, while a plan for future security improvements, a budget report, or a communication strategy may be relevant to overall security management and preparedness, they do not specifically address the need for a detailed account of the incident itself and the immediate response efforts taken. The incident report is specifically tailored to capture the details and lessons learned from a unique event, making it critical for effective incident response and ongoing improvement of security practices.