The process involves generating a simulated record of an event related to an account. The primary objective is to assess and refine an organization’s incident response capabilities. For example, a fabricated phishing attempt targeting a fictitious employee can be logged to analyze security team reactions and identify areas for procedural improvement. The term “incident IQ” in this context highlights the focus on gathering data and insights about the incident response process itself, rather than addressing a genuine security threat. The key term “incident IQ” functions as a noun phrase, highlighting a process or function.
Creating such simulated incidents offers significant advantages. It allows organizations to proactively identify weaknesses in their security protocols without experiencing actual data breaches or operational disruptions. This practice provides a safe environment for training personnel, testing new security tools, and validating incident response plans. Historically, organizations have relied on reactive measures to address security threats; however, the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks has made proactive testing essential. Generating these dummy scenarios allows for a proactive posture in maintaining security readiness.