What should be the first step an FSO takes upon discovering a security incident?

The first step an FSO should take upon discovering a security incident is to contain the incident to prevent further unauthorized access or damage. Containment is critical in an incident response process because it helps to limit the scope and impact of the incident. By acting quickly to isolate the affected systems or data, the FSO can prevent potential escalation, further compromise, or data loss that may result from ongoing unauthorized activity.

Once containment is achieved, other steps in the incident response process can follow, such as notifying employees, conducting a thorough investigation, and documenting the incident. However, if the initial containment is not performed, these subsequent actions could be rendered ineffective due to expanding threats or damage. Therefore, containment is prioritized to protect the integrity of the facility’s security posture and safeguard sensitive information.