When might an organization initiate an incident response?

An organization typically initiates an incident response in reaction to a significant disruption. This is because the purpose of incident response is to address unexpected events that can threaten the safety, security, or operational integrity of the organization. Such disruptions could include natural disasters, cyberattacks, equipment failures, or any other unforeseen incidents that require immediate action to mitigate impacts, protect resources, and ensure continuity of operations.

By contrast, regular operational assessments focus on evaluating current processes and performance rather than responding to crises. Evaluating employee performance is an ongoing activity that is not directly related to incident response, as it deals with staff development and operational effectiveness in routine situations. Initiating a response at the beginning of a fiscal year would not typically align with the nature of incident response, which is contingent upon specific disruptive events rather than scheduled timelines.

Thus, the correct choice encapsulates the reactive nature of incident response, highlighting that it is fundamentally about responding to unique challenges as they arise rather than aligning with periodic assessments or planning cycles.