Which action would MOST improve an incident response process that experienced delays in quarantining an infected host?

Updating the playbooks with better decision points would most improve an incident response process that experienced delays in quarantining an infected host. Playbooks serve as reference documents outlining the steps to be taken during an incident, along with criteria for decision-making and actions to be performed. If delays occurred, it may indicate that the existing playbooks lacked clear or efficient decision points that guide responders in identifying and reacting to infected hosts promptly.

By enhancing the playbooks to address specific scenarios, define roles more clearly, and outline precise steps for both identifying infections and executing quarantining actions, the response team can act more quickly and effectively. Improved decision points can help streamline communication and ensure that all team members understand their responsibilities, which is vital during high-pressure situations like an incident response.

The other options, while they may contribute to the overall security posture or awareness, do not directly address the specific issue of response timing during an incident. For example, dividing the network into trusted and untrusted zones can enhance overall security but doesn't specifically improve how quickly a threat is contained once detected. Similarly, providing additional training to end users on acceptable use policies may reduce the likelihood of infections occurring but wouldn't directly speed up the response process. Implementing manual quarantining could complicate or slow down the