(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

What is a key characteristic of an effective incident response team?

1. Operational hours

2. High turnover rates

3. 24/7 availability

4. Limited expertise

The correct answer is: 24/7 availability

An effective incident response team is characterized by its 24/7 availability, which ensures that any potential security incidents can be addressed promptly, regardless of when they occur. Cyber threats can emerge at any time, often requiring immediate attention to mitigate damage, preserve evidence, and initiate recovery efforts. By providing round-the-clock support, the team can respond to incidents swiftly, minimizing the impact on the organization and maintaining operational integrity. This constant availability also fosters a stronger security posture, as the team can continuously monitor systems, identify potential threats proactively, and ensure that incident response processes are in place and practiced. This readiness is crucial for an organization that depends on its systems and data. Other factors listed, such as operational hours or limited expertise, would not contribute positively to the team's effectiveness. High turnover rates can lead to inconsistency and disrupt the knowledge base, while limited expertise would hinder the team's ability to properly respond to complex incidents. Therefore, 24/7 availability stands out as a key characteristic that significantly enhances an incident response team's capability to protect and support the organization in managing cybersecurity threats.