Ethical Hacking News
Incident response investigators face numerous challenges when responding to security incidents. A well-structured approach to the "first 90 seconds" is crucial in determining the success or failure of an investigation.
Understanding the concept of the "first 90 seconds" in incident response investigations is critical. Poor decision-making and pressure are common causes of incident response failures, not a lack of tools or technical skills. The "first 90 seconds" occur every time the scope of an intrusion changes, such as when a new system is accessed or identified. Teams must be prepared before an incident forces the issue and understand their environments to practice identifying execution, preserving evidence, and expanding scope deliberately. A structured approach and mindset are essential during incident response investigations, including being aware of the environment and avoiding repetitive mistakes under stress.
The world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and incident response investigations are no exception. A recent article on The Hacker News highlights the importance of understanding the concept of the "first 90 seconds" in incident response investigations. This term refers to the critical period immediately following the detection of a potential security incident, where decisions made during this time can significantly impact the outcome of the investigation.
The article emphasizes that many incident response failures do not stem from a lack of tools, intelligence, or technical skills, but rather from poor decision-making and pressure. The author notes that responders often make quiet decisions right away, such as what to examine first, what to preserve, and whether to treat the issue as a single system problem or part of a larger pattern.
The article also cautions against treating the opening phase of an investigation as a single, dramatic event. Instead, it suggests that the "first 90 seconds" occur every time the scope of an intrusion changes, such as when a new system is accessed or identified. This emphasizes the importance of establishing direction and making deliberate decisions before assumptions harden and options disappear.
The author shares their personal experience with IR teams recovering from sophisticated intrusions with limited telemetry, highlighting the need for responders to make informed decisions quickly. Conversely, they also share instances where teams lost control of investigations that should have been manageable.
The article concludes by emphasizing that the goal is not to avoid incidents entirely but to avoid repetitive mistakes under stress. Teams must be prepared before an incident forces the issue and understand their environments to practice identifying execution, preserving evidence, and expanding scope deliberately while the stakes are still low.
Furthermore, the author mentions that when investigations are handled with discipline, the first 90 seconds feel familiar rather than frantic. This consistency is what allows teams to move faster later with confidence instead of guesswork.
The article also highlights the importance of having a structured approach and mindset during incident response investigations. It emphasizes the need for responders to be aware of their environments, practice identifying execution, preserve evidence, and expand scope deliberately.
In conclusion, the concept of the "first 90 seconds" in incident response investigations is critical. Responders must make deliberate decisions quickly, establish direction, and avoid making repetitive mistakes under stress. By understanding this concept and having a structured approach, teams can improve their chances of successful incident response investigations.
Incident response investigators face numerous challenges when responding to security incidents. A well-structured approach to the "first 90 seconds" is crucial in determining the success or failure of an investigation.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-First-90-Seconds-Mastering-Incident-Response-Investigations-ehn.shtml
https://thehackernews.com/2026/02/the-first-90-seconds-how-early.html
https://grabify.org/blog/the-first-90-seconds-how-early-decisions-shape-incident-response-investigations/
Published: Wed Feb 4 06:41:39 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
