Vulnerability Scanning for Missing Patches

A security analyst is running a vulnerability scan to check for missing patches during a suspected security incident.

During which of the following phases of the response process is this activity MOST likely occurring?

A.

Containment

B.

Identification

C.

Recovery

D.

Preparation.

B.

The vulnerability scan being performed by the security analyst is most likely occurring during the Identification phase of the incident response process.

The incident response process typically involves several phases, each of which serves a specific purpose. These phases are:

1. Preparation: During this phase, an organization establishes incident response policies and procedures, identifies incident response team members, and develops incident response plans.

2. Identification: During this phase, the organization detects and reports a suspected security incident. The goal is to quickly identify the scope of the incident, including the systems and data that are affected.

3. Containment: During this phase, the organization takes steps to contain the incident and prevent further damage. This may involve isolating affected systems, blocking network traffic, or shutting down services.

4. Eradication: During this phase, the organization removes the cause of the incident and eliminates any malware or other malicious code that may be present. This may involve patching systems, restoring data from backups, or reinstalling software.

5. Recovery: During this phase, the organization restores normal operations and verifies that systems are functioning correctly. This may involve testing systems, monitoring for further incidents, and reviewing incident response procedures.

The vulnerability scan being performed by the security analyst is a method of identifying vulnerabilities in systems that may be contributing to the incident. By identifying missing patches or other security weaknesses, the analyst can determine how the attacker gained access and how to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Therefore, the vulnerability scan is most likely occurring during the Identification phase of the incident response process, as part of the effort to quickly identify the scope of the incident.