How is a cybersecurity incident defined?

A cybersecurity incident is defined as an event that compromises the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an information system. This definition encompasses a range of potential security breaches, anomalies, or events that could jeopardize the secure operation of IT resources. The focus on confidentiality refers to unauthorized access to sensitive information, integrity pertains to unauthorized modifications to data, and availability relates to disruptions that prevent access to system functionalities or data.

This clear and comprehensive definition helps organizations determine what incidents require reporting, investigation, or immediate action to mitigate risks to their cybersecurity posture. By identifying an event in this way, organizations can better enhance their security measures and protocols to prevent future incidents and respond effectively when they do occur. The other choices fail to capture the critical nature of cybersecurity incidents, as they either focus on unrelated aspects of system performance or suggest that an incident can occur without any significant impact on system security.