At what stage should an incident response plan be created according to best practices for cybersecurity?

An incident response plan should be created during the preparation stage, as this is when organizations establish the framework and protocols for effectively responding to security incidents. This stage involves identifying potential threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and developing strategies to address them before an actual incident occurs. By thoughtfully planning and preparing, organizations can ensure that they have clear procedures in place, designated roles and responsibilities, and effective communication channels, which are critical for minimizing damage and restoring operations quickly when an incident does happen.

During breach notification, after recovery, or after detection and analysis are all reactive stages that occur after an incident has already taken place. If an organization waits until these stages to create a plan, they may find themselves unprepared to respond effectively, leading to increased damage and disruption. Having a proactive approach during the preparation phase enables a more organized and timely response, improving the overall resilience of an organization against cybersecurity threats.