Continuous monitoring focuses mainly on which aspect of cybersecurity?

• A. Incident response planning
• B. Proactive identification of threats
• C. Training employees on cybersecurity
• D. Development of new security software

Answer: (B)

Continuous monitoring in cybersecurity is fundamentally focused on the proactive identification of threats. This approach involves the ongoing observation of systems, networks, and applications to detect potential security breaches or vulnerabilities in real time. By consistently analyzing data, organizations can identify unusual patterns or anomalies that might signify an impending attack or compromise.

This proactive stance allows organizations to mitigate risks before they evolve into substantial threats. Continuous monitoring employs various tools and methodologies, such as intrusion detection systems, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and automated alerts, to enable a timely response to potential issues.

The other options, while important aspects of cybersecurity, do not align closely with the primary goal of continuous monitoring. Incident response planning focuses on how to respond after a security event has occurred, training employees is essential for awareness and prevention but doesn't directly relate to monitoring, and the development of new security software is a strategic effort that doesn't encapsulate the daily operational focus of continuous monitoring.