During which step of the cybersecurity incident response methodology is damage limitation most focused on?

The step of the cybersecurity incident response methodology where damage limitation is most focused on is during containment and eradication. In this phase, the primary goal is to limit the impact of the incident on the organization. This involves immediate actions to contain the breach, prevent further unauthorized access, and mitigate any damage that may have already been done.

Containment strategies can vary depending on the type and severity of the incident but generally involve isolating affected systems, blocking malicious traffic, and managing access controls to ensure that the threat is effectively neutralized. Once containment is successful, the eradication process follows, which includes eliminating the root cause and any remnants of the threat from the environment. This focus on minimizing damage during this stage is vital to maintaining business continuity and protecting sensitive information.

In contrast, preparation involves setting up policies and procedures in anticipation of potential incidents, while detection and analysis focus on identifying and understanding security incidents as they occur. Recovery and follow-up involve restoring systems and services and reviewing the incident to inform future security improvements. Each of these stages has its distinct focus, but containment and eradication are explicitly aimed at reducing damage and enhancing security swiftly.