In what way do system backups assist during an incident response?

System backups play a critical role in incident response by providing a means to restore operations and data after an incident has occurred. When an organization faces a cybersecurity event, such as a ransomware attack or data corruption, having recent backups allows the organization to recover lost data and resume normal operations quickly.

Backups ensure that essential information and configurations are not permanently lost, which is vital for minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity. In the aftermath of an incident, the ability to restore systems to a previous state can help in mitigating the impact of the attack or failure, allowing for a structured recovery process that can include forensic analysis to better understand the incident's cause. This capability is foundational to any robust incident response plan.

Other options do not accurately capture the primary function of backups during an incident response. While they might contribute to various aspects of system management or security, their primary significance during an incident is to enable recovery and restoration.