Which of the following best describes 'Incident Handling'?

'Incident Handling' refers to the structured approach an organization takes in response to security incidents, which involves identifying, managing, and mitigating violations of security policies. This process is crucial for minimizing damage and restoring normal operations as swiftly and smoothly as possible. When a security incident occurs—such as a data breach, malware infection, or unauthorized access—it is imperative for the organization to have a well-defined incident handling procedure in place to effectively deal with these violations, safeguarding both its data and overall integrity.

The focus on mitigating violations highlights the proactive measures taken during and after an incident to address the root causes, prevent recurrence, and reduce risks associated with similar future incidents. This aspect of Incident Handling emphasizes compliance with established security protocols and helps strengthen the overall security posture of the organization.

While managing costs, employee productivity, and network performance are important aspects of an organization's operations, they do not inherently define 'Incident Handling'. Instead, these factors can be considered secondary benefits resulting from effective incident handling procedures—once security breaches are resolved and managed effectively, resources can be reallocated to improve these other areas.