What steps should be taken as soon as an incident is suspected?

When an incident is suspected, the most effective response begins with confirming the incident, containing it, and documenting the findings. This approach is fundamental in incident response since early and accurate identification of the incident allows for a proper assessment of the scope and impact.

Confirmation ensures that resources are not misallocated to false alarms and that the team focuses on genuine threats. Containment is critical to prevent further damage or data loss and may involve isolating affected systems or disabling compromised accounts. Documentation is essential as it provides a record of events, actions taken, and findings, which is invaluable for further analysis, reporting, and improving response strategies in the future.

Other options, such as initiating software installations or alerting all employees, would not provide a structured approach to handling an incident. They could lead to unnecessary complications or panic within the organization, further exacerbating the situation. Additionally, waiting for further instructions can lead to delays that may worsen the impact of the incident. Hence, the comprehensive approach of confirming, containing, and documenting is vital for an effective incident response.