What is a key element of computer network defense operations?

A key element of computer network defense operations is incident response and recovery. This process involves identifying, managing, and mitigating incidents that threaten the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of information and information systems. Effective incident response ensures that when a cyber incident occurs, there is a clear strategy in place to respond quickly to contain the threat, minimize damage, and recover systems and data to their normal operational state.

Incident response is critical because it encompasses not only the immediate handling of an incident but also the methods for learning from past incidents to improve future defenses. This continuous cycle enhances the overall resilience of an organization’s network and is vital for maintaining trust and security in today's increasingly complex cyber landscape.

While other elements such as offensive cyber capabilities, social media monitoring, and intelligence sharing are important in the broader cybersecurity strategy, they do not focus specifically on the reactive and recovery aspects that are central to defense operations.