What is one key preparation activity for incident response?

Conducting regular security training for staff is a vital preparation activity for incident response as it equips employees with the knowledge and skills to recognize, respond to, and report security incidents effectively. By ensuring that all staff members understand security policies, potential threats, and their roles in the incident response process, organizations can foster a culture of security awareness which is crucial in the event of an actual incident.

Furthermore, when employees are well-informed, they are more likely to identify suspicious activities and take appropriate actions to mitigate potential risks. Regular training helps to keep security top-of-mind and can significantly reduce the likelihood of human error, which is a common contributor to security incidents.

Implementing advanced encryption technology, while important for protecting data, is more of a preventive measure than a direct incident response preparation activity. Hiring external consultants can be beneficial, but it is not a consistent preparation activity and may not necessarily lead to a sustained improvement in the organization's internal capabilities. Restricting access to IT resources is a security measure that can help to limit exposure but does not address the need for staff readiness in handling incidents.