You are monitoring your network traffic with the Wireshark utility and noticed that your network is experiencing a large amount of traffic from a certain region. You suspect a DoS incident on the network. What will be your first reaction as a first responder?

According to established incident response frameworks like the one detailed in NIST SP 800-61, the first step after detecting a potential incident is analysis. This involves making an initial assessment to validate the alert and determine if it is a genuine security incident. The first responder must analyze the suspicious traffic to understand its nature, source, and potential impact. This assessment is critical for determining the appropriate subsequent actions, such as containment, escalation, or communication. Acting without a proper assessment can lead to incorrect responses or unnecessary panic.

A. Avoiding FUD is a general principle for maintaining a professional mindset, not a specific, actionable step in the incident response process.
B. Communication is a vital part of incident response, but it should follow the initial assessment to ensure the information being shared is accurate.
D. Disabling virus protection or any security control during a suspected attack is highly inadvisable as it would increase the system's vulnerability.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2012). Special Publication 800-61 Rev. 2: Computer Security Incident Handling Guide. (Section 3.2.2, "Analysis," states that analysis follows detection and involves validating the incident).

2. Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute. (2016). CSIRT Services. (The "Event Triage" service, which is the initial analysis and assessment of an incoming event, is a foundational step). Available at: https://resources.sei.cmu.edu/assetfiles/WhitePaper/2016019001485344.pdf

3. SANS Institute. (2010). The Six Steps of Incident Response. (Step 2, "Identification," which is synonymous with initial assessment and analysis, follows Step 1, "Preparation").