Incident Response Discipline in the First 90 Seconds
Summary
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Incident response (IR) failures often stem from decisions made in the first moments after detection, not from a lack of tools or skills. The 'first 90 seconds' refers to the critical initial phase where responders establish direction, preserve evidence, and determine the scope of the intrusion. This phase repeats as the investigation expands, requiring consistent discipline to avoid compounding mistakes. Effective IR involves understanding the environment, prioritizing evidence, and avoiding premature closure to prevent persistent threats.
Timeline
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04.02.2026 12:00 1 articles · 12h ago
SANS FOR508 Class on Advanced Incident Response Scheduled for March 2026
Eric Zimmerman, Principal Instructor at SANS Institute, will teach the SANS FOR508 class on Advanced Incident Response, Threat Hunting, and Digital Forensics at SANS DC Metro from March 2-7, 2026. The class focuses on the discipline and methodology needed for effective incident response, helping teams avoid repetitive mistakes under stress.
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- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00
Information Snippets
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The 'first 90 seconds' of an incident response is a recurring phase that happens each time the scope of an intrusion changes.
First reported: 04.02.2026 12:001 source, 1 articleShow sources
- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00
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Responders must decide what to look at first, what to preserve, and whether the issue is isolated or part of a larger pattern.
First reported: 04.02.2026 12:001 source, 1 articleShow sources
- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00
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Early decisions shape the entire investigation and can lead to compounding mistakes if not handled correctly.
First reported: 04.02.2026 12:001 source, 1 articleShow sources
- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00
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Logging that starts after detection limits backward context, weakening conclusions and increasing assumptions.
First reported: 04.02.2026 12:001 source, 1 articleShow sources
- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00
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Premature closure of investigations can leave behind persistent threats, leading to recurring incidents.
First reported: 04.02.2026 12:001 source, 1 articleShow sources
- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00
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Effective IR involves discipline under uncertainty, consistent application of best practices, and understanding the environment.
First reported: 04.02.2026 12:001 source, 1 articleShow sources
- The First 90 Seconds: How Early Decisions Shape Incident Response Investigations — thehackernews.com — 04.02.2026 12:00