What is the main goal of an incident response effort?

The main goal of an incident response effort is to reduce the impact of incidents on operations. This involves having a structured approach to addressing and managing the aftermath of a security breach or cyber incident. By focusing on minimizing the damage, the organization can ensure that it can continue its operations with as little disruption as possible, safeguard its data and assets, and restore normal functions quickly.

In addition to recovering from incidents, effective response strategies also include identifying vulnerabilities to prevent future occurrences. A proactive approach in incident response not only mitigates immediate risks but also strengthens the organization's overall security posture.

Other options, while they may be components of broader security goals, do not align with the primary focus of incident response. The belief that no incidents should ever happen is unrealistic since the nature of cybersecurity involves constantly evolving threats. Punishing wrongdoers may not contribute to the organizational response in a meaningful way, as the priority should be on managing the incident effectively. While saving money can be a beneficial side effect of a well-handled incident response, the immediate objective during an incident is to reduce operational impact and facilitate recovery.