easyMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
Incident Response Policy Elements
A company is creating an incident response policy. Which TWO elements should be included to ensure proper handling of security incidents?
Quick Answer
The correct answer includes both a step-by-step procedure for containment, eradication, and recovery, as well as contact information for law enforcement. These two elements are essential because the procedure forms the operational backbone of the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle, ensuring that every security event is handled with consistent, repeatable actions that minimize damage and restore normal operations. The law enforcement contact information is equally critical, as regulations like GDPR and state breach notification laws require timely reporting of crimes such as data breaches or ransomware attacks, and it preserves the chain of custody for any legal proceedings. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this question tests your understanding of the policy-level components that support the technical incident response process, not just the tools or playbooks. A common trap is to confuse operational procedures with policy elements—remember that a policy sets the mandatory framework (including legal contacts), while the step-by-step procedure is the how-to guide. Memory tip: think “Cops and Steps”—law enforcement contacts for the cops, and containment-eradication-recovery for the steps.
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between proactive security controls (like vulnerability scans or vendor lists) and reactive incident response procedures, causing candidates to mistakenly include operational or procurement details as policy elements.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Contact information for law enforcement
An incident response policy must include contact information for law enforcement to ensure timely reporting of crimes such as data breaches or ransomware attacks, as required by regulations like GDPR or state breach notification laws. This enables proper legal handling and chain-of-custody preservation. Option C is correct because a step-by-step procedure for containment, eradication, and recovery is the core operational framework of the NIST SP 800-61 incident response lifecycle, ensuring consistent and effective response actions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Contact information for law enforcement
Why this is correct
Having contact information for law enforcement is a key part of an incident response communication plan.
- ✗
A list of employee performance metrics
Why it's wrong here
Performance metrics are part of evaluation, not a required policy element.
- ✓
A step-by-step procedure for containment, eradication, and recovery
Why this is correct
Detailed procedures are essential for executing the incident response process consistently.
- ✗
A schedule for quarterly vulnerability scans
Why it's wrong here
Vulnerability scanning is part of ongoing security management, separate from incident response policy.
- ✗
List of approved vendors for forensic tools
Why it's wrong here
Vendor lists are operational details, not a high-level policy element.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 200-201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company wants to ensure that employees report security incidents immediately. Which policy element is most important to include?
easy- A.Specify encryption standards for data at rest
- B.List acceptable uses of company resources
- ✓ C.Define mandatory reporting procedures and contact information
- D.Require complex passwords for all accounts
Why C: The core purpose of an incident response policy is to ensure timely reporting. Without mandatory reporting procedures and clear contact information, employees may delay or fail to report security incidents, increasing dwell time and potential damage. This directly supports the incident response lifecycle (NIST SP 800-61) by establishing a clear chain of communication for initial detection and reporting.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.