The incident response plan must cover which of the following components?

The incident response plan must cover which of the following components?

• A. All critical system components.
• B. Only network devices.
• C. Only databases.
• D. Only endpoints.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that an incident response plan must encompass every component that can affect the security of the cardholder data environment. Incidents can start in one area—like a database or an endpoint—and quickly involve other parts of the system, so having coverage limited to just one type of asset leaves gaps and delays the response. By planning for all critical system components, you ensure a coordinated, timely response that includes detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and reporting across the entire environment. Limiting scope to network devices, databases, or endpoints alone creates gaps where incidents can go unnoticed or propagate, undermining the effectiveness of the plan.

The key idea is that an incident response plan must encompass every component that can affect the security of the cardholder data environment. Incidents can start in one area—like a database or an endpoint—and quickly involve other parts of the system, so having coverage limited to just one type of asset leaves gaps and delays the response. By planning for all critical system components, you ensure a coordinated, timely response that includes detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and reporting across the entire environment. Limiting scope to network devices, databases, or endpoints alone creates gaps where incidents can go unnoticed or propagate, undermining the effectiveness of the plan.