What are timelines in the context of incident analysis?

Timelines in the context of incident analysis refer to chronological graphs that map events related to an incident. This type of visualization is crucial for understanding the sequence of events that led up to, occurred during, and followed an incident. By laying out these events in a linear format, incident responders and analysts can better identify patterns, correlations, and critical moments in the incident lifecycle.

The use of timelines facilitates efficient communication of what happened during an incident, how it escalated, and what response measures were taken. They also help teams to conduct thorough post-incident reviews by providing a clear historical record that can inform future prevention and response strategies. Overall, timelines serve as a powerful tool for analyzing incidents and enhancing overall cybersecurity readiness by improving situational awareness and decision-making.