Define "incident response plan."

An incident response plan is a comprehensive strategy specifically designed for addressing and managing security incidents. This plan outlines the procedures and responsibilities of the incident response team when a security breach occurs, ensuring that the organization can effectively mitigate the impact of the incident. Having a structured approach allows teams to quickly contain and eradicate the threat, assess damages, recover systems, and communicate with stakeholders. An effective incident response plan is crucial for minimizing downtime, reducing financial losses, and preserving the organization’s reputation.

The other choices do not accurately describe an incident response plan. Customer service operations and software development releases address very different aspects of organizational processes and do not relate to the immediate actions required in the face of a security incident. A timetable for security audits focuses on scheduling compliance checks rather than responding to incidents, which is a reactive rather than proactive measure. Thus, the characterization of an incident response plan as a strategy for responding to security incidents is correct and aligns with its purpose in the cybersecurity domain.