Which Of The Following Actions Should An Organization Take In The Event Of A Security Breach?

The EC-Council 212-89: EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) Certification is a prestigious credential for cybersecurity professionals, validating expertise in incident handling and response to security breaches. A key exam question, “Which of the following actions should an organization take in the event of a security breach?” emphasizes immediate containment, evidence collection, and adherence to a structured response framework, tested within Domain 2: Incident Response Process (30%) and Domain 3: Incident Handling and Response (25%). These domains cover incident detection, containment, eradication, and recovery, essential for roles like incident responders, SOC analysts, and security managers.

The 212-89 exam, lasting 3 hours with 100 multiple-choice questions, requires a passing score of approximately 70%. Study4Pass is a premier resource for ECIH preparation, offering comprehensive study guides, practice exams, and hands-on labs tailored to the exam syllabus. This article explores security breach response, EC-Council’s response framework, legal considerations, and strategic preparation tips using Study4Pass to excel in the EC-Council 212-89 certification exam.

Introduction to Security Breach Response

The Growing Threat Landscape

The cybersecurity landscape is increasingly volatile, with ransomware, data breaches, and phishing attacks surging. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average breach cost reached $4.88 million, with ransomware attacks doubling in frequency. Security breaches compromise:

• Confidentiality: Leaking sensitive data (e.g., customer PII).
• Integrity: Altering systems or data (e.g., malware).
• Availability: Disrupting services (e.g., DDoS).

Effective incident response minimizes damage, restores operations, and prevents recurrence. For ECIH candidates, understanding breach response is critical, as it underpins incident handling. Study4Pass provides detailed guides on threat trends, supported by practice questions that reinforce response strategies.

Why This Matters for 212-89 Certification

The 212-89 exam tests incident handling in objectives like “Implement incident response processes” and “Handle various types of incidents.” Candidates must:

• Identify immediate actions post-breach (e.g., containment, evidence collection).
• Follow EC-Council’s 6-phase framework (Preparation to Lessons Learned).
• Address legal and compliance requirements.

Exam questions may involve selecting appropriate actions, sequencing response steps, or analyzing breach scenarios. Study4Pass aligns its resources with these objectives, offering labs and practice exams that mirror real-world incident response scenarios.

Critical First Response Actions (Golden Hour Protocol)

The Golden Hour the first 60 minutes after detecting a breach—is critical for limiting damage. Key actions include:

Immediate Containment Procedures

• Short-Term Containment:
  o    Isolate affected systems (e.g., disconnect from network, disable Wi-Fi).
  o    Block malicious IPs or domains via firewalls.
  o    Example: Quarantine a ransomware-infected server to prevent spread.
• Long-Term Containment:
  o    Deploy patches or reconfigure systems to prevent re-entry.
  o    Example: Update firewall rules to block attacker C2 servers.
• Purpose: Limits damage and preserves system availability.

Evidence Collection & Chain of Custody

• Collection:
  o    Capture volatile data (e.g., RAM, running processes) using tools like FTK Imager.
  o    Collect logs (e.g., Event Viewer, firewall logs).
  o    Create forensic images of affected systems.
  o    Example: Exam Prep Practice Test memory from a compromised endpoint to analyze malware.
• Chain of Custody:
  o    Document evidence handling (who, when, where).
  o    Use tamper-proof storage (e.g., write-blockers).
  o    Example: Log evidence transfer from incident handler to forensic analyst.
• Purpose: Ensures evidence admissibility in legal proceedings.

For 212-89 candidates, mastering these actions is essential. Study4Pass labs simulate containment and evidence collection, ensuring hands-on proficiency.

EC-Council’s 6-Phase Response Framework

EC-Council’s 6-phase incident response framework provides a structured approach to handling breaches:

Preparation Phase (Pre-Breach)

• Actions:
  o    Develop an Incident Response Plan (IRP) with roles, tools, and escalation paths.
  o    Conduct tabletop exercises and penetration tests.
  o    Deploy monitoring tools (e.g., SIEM, IDS).
• Example: Train SOC team to use Splunk for real-time alerts.
• Purpose: Builds readiness to detect and respond.

Identification Phase

• Actions:
  o    Detect incidents via alerts (e.g., IDS, antivirus).
  o    Validate incidents (e.g., confirm ransomware vs. false positive).
  o    Document initial findings (e.g., affected systems, attack vector).
• Example: A SIEM alert flags unusual outbound traffic, confirmed as data exfiltration.
• Purpose: Confirms and scopes the breach.

Containment Strategies

• Actions:
  o    Apply short-term containment (e.g., isolate systems).
  o    Implement long-term containment (e.g., patch vulnerabilities).
  o    Monitor for attacker persistence.
• Example: Disable a compromised user account and block attacker IPs.
• Purpose: Stops further damage while preserving evidence.

Eradication Procedures

• Actions:
  o    Remove malware (e.g., using EDR tools like CrowdStrike).
  o    Patch vulnerabilities (e.g., apply Microsoft updates).
  o    Reset compromised credentials.
• Example: Wipe and reimage an infected server after malware removal.
• Purpose: Eliminates attacker presence.

Recovery Steps

• Actions:
  o    Restore systems from clean backups.
  o    Test functionality (e.g., application access, network connectivity).
  o    Monitor for recurrence (e.g., SIEM alerts).
• Example: Restore a database from a pre-ransomware backup and verify integrity.
• Purpose: Returns operations to normal.

Lessons Learned

• Actions:
  o    Conduct a post-incident review to identify gaps.
  o    Update IRP, policies, and training.
  o    Share findings with stakeholders.
• Example: Revise firewall rules after a breach exploited open ports.
• Purpose: Prevents future incidents.

For 212-89 candidates, memorizing this framework is critical. Study4Pass guides detail each phase, supported by practice questions on response steps.

Legal & Compliance Considerations

Mandatory Reporting Timelines

• Regulations:
  o    GDPR: Report breaches within 72 hours to supervisory authorities.
  o    HIPAA: Notify affected individuals within 60 days for healthcare breaches.
  o    CCPA: Disclose breaches promptly to California residents.
• Actions:
  o    Document breach details (scope, impact, timeline).
  o    Notify regulators and affected parties per legal requirements.
• Example: A hospital reports a ransomware attack to HHS within 60 days, detailing patient data exposure.
• 212-89 Relevance: Questions may test reporting deadlines.

Law Enforcement Coordination

• Actions:
  o    Engage law enforcement (e.g., FBI, Interpol) for criminal breaches.
  o    Provide preserved evidence (e.g., forensic images, logs).
  o    Follow legal guidance to avoid liability.
• Example: Share malware samples with the FBI’s Cyber Division for a phishing investigation.
• 212-89 Relevance: Questions may involve evidence sharing protocols.

Study4Pass guides cover compliance and legal considerations, supported by scenario-based questions.

212-89 Exam Focus Areas

Scenario-Based Questions

• Type: Analyze a breach (e.g., ransomware) and select correct actions.
• Example: “A server is infected with malware. What is the first action?” (Answer: Isolate the server).
• Strategy: Map scenarios to the 6-phase framework.
• Study4Pass Tip: Practice 50 scenario questions.

Process Flow Diagrams

• Type: Sequence response steps or match actions to phases.
• Example: Drag-and-drop containment, eradication, and recovery steps in order.
• Strategy: Memorize phase order (Preparation → Lessons Learned).
• Study4Pass Tip: Use framework flashcards.

Tool-Specific Knowledge

• Tools:
  o    SIEM: Splunk, QRadar for detection.
  o    Forensics: FTK Imager, Autopsy for evidence collection.
  o    EDR: CrowdStrike, Carbon Black for eradication.
• Example: “Which tool captures volatile memory?” (Answer: FTK Imager).
• Strategy: Learn tool functions and use cases.
• Study4Pass Tip: Practice tool-based labs.

Study4Pass Practice Exams include these question types, ensuring comprehensive preparation.

Advanced Response Techniques

Threat Intelligence Integration

• Definition: Using threat feeds (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK, STIX/TAXII) to enhance response.
• Actions:
  o    Correlate breach indicators with threat intelligence.
  o    Update defenses based on attacker TTPs.
• Example: A phishing attack matches a known APT group’s tactics, prompting targeted containment.
• 212-89 Relevance: Questions may test intelligence-driven response.

Cloud-Specific Challenges

• Challenges:
  o    Distributed logs in AWS/Azure environments.
  o    Shared responsibility model complicates containment.
• Actions:
  o    Use cloud-native tools (e.g., AWS CloudTrail, Azure Sentinel).
  o    Isolate cloud resources (e.g., revoke IAM permissions).
• Example: Quarantine an EC2 instance after detecting unauthorized access via CloudTrail logs.
• 212-89 Relevance: Questions may involve cloud breach response.

Psychological Aspects

• Challenge: Managing team stress and stakeholder panic during breaches.
• Actions:
  o    Communicate clearly with predefined templates.
  o    Conduct stress management training.
• Example: Calm executives with regular updates during a ransomware incident.
• 212-89 Relevance: Questions may test communication strategies.

Study4Pass guides cover advanced techniques, preparing candidates for complex questions.

Study Resources & Exam Prep

EC-Council’s Official Materials

• ECIH Study Guide: Covers 6-phase framework, tools, and compliance.
• EC-Council iLabs: Virtual environments for response practice.
• Study4Pass Tip: Combine with Study4Pass guides for deeper insights.

Hands-On Labs

1. Lab 1: Containment:
   o    Isolate a compromised VM using firewall rules.
   o    Outcome: Mastered short-term containment.
2. Lab 2: Evidence Collection:
   o    Capture RAM with FTK Imager, maintain chain of custody.
   o    Outcome: Learned forensic procedures.
3. Lab 3: Recovery:
   o    Restore a server from backup, verify functionality.
   o    Outcome: Understood recovery steps.

·         Tool: Study4Pass virtual labs, Kali Linux.

Practice Test Strategies

• Study4Pass Tests: 150+ questions covering response phases, tools, and scenarios.
• Format: Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop.
• Example: “Which action follows identification?” (Answer: Containment).
• Tip: Take 50-question tests weekly, review incorrect answers.

Study Plan

• Weeks 1–2: Memorize 6-phase framework, legal requirements.
• Weeks 3–4: Practice labs (containment, forensics, recovery).
• Weeks 5–6: Solve 100-question practice tests, focus on scenarios.
• Study4Pass Tip: Join forums for peer support on response questions.

Bottom Line: Building Response Muscle Memory

The EC-Council 212-89 certification equips cybersecurity professionals with critical incident response skills, with security breach actions—containment, evidence collection, and adherence to the 6-phase framework—as pivotal topics in Incident Response Process and Incident Handling and Response. Effective response minimizes damage, ensures compliance, and strengthens defenses, aligning with NIST 800-61 and ISO 27035. Master these actions, tools, and legal considerations to excel in the exam and real-world incident handling.

Study4Pass is the ultimate resource for 212-89 preparation, offering study guides, practice exams, and hands-on labs that replicate real-world breach scenarios. Its response-focused labs and scenario-based questions ensure candidates can contain incidents, collect evidence, and recover systems confidently. With Study4Pass, aspiring ECIH professionals can ace the exam and launch rewarding careers, with salaries averaging $90,000–$130,000 annually (Glassdoor, 2025).

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Practice Questions from EC-Council 212-89 Certification Exam

Which of the following actions should an organization take in the event of a security breach?

A. Immediately restore systems from backup
B. Isolate affected systems to prevent further damage
C. Notify all employees about the breach details
D. Reinstall the operating system on all devices

During a ransomware incident, which tool is used to capture volatile memory for forensic analysis?

A. Splunk
B. FTK Imager
C. Wireshark
D. Nessus

In EC-Council’s incident response framework, which phase follows Identification?

A. Preparation
B. Containment
C. Eradication
D. Lessons Learned

A company detects a data breach involving PII. Under GDPR, when must they report to authorities?

A. Within 24 hours
B. Within 72 hours
C. Within 7 days
D. Within 30 days

Which action is part of the Lessons Learned phase after a security breach?

A. Isolate compromised systems
B. Update the Incident Response Plan
C. Remove malware from servers
D. Capture forensic images