Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CHFI Practice Questions and Comprehensive Study Guide

The first step in an incident response process is to identify the incident. This crucial stage involves recognizing and classifying the event that has occurred to determine whether it is indeed a security incident. Accurately identifying the nature of the incident helps the response team to understand its scope, potential impact, and the best course of action moving forward.

Once the incident is identified, the team can evaluate its severity and decide on containment strategies, gather evidence, and initiate a response plan. Without a clear identification of the incident, efforts to collect evidence or contain the threat could be misguided or ineffective, potentially leading to larger ramifications.

By ensuring that the incident is properly identified at the outset, the response team is better equipped to take appropriate and efficient action to mitigate the situation. This foundational step sets the stage for all subsequent response activities, making it essential in the incident response lifecycle.