What is the difference between proactive and reactive security measures?

Proactive measures are designed to prevent incidents before they occur. This can include strategies such as risk assessments, security training, and implementing policies and procedures aimed at minimizing vulnerabilities. By anticipating potential threats and addressing them in advance, proactive measures help create a safer environment and reduce the likelihood of security breaches or incidents.

On the other hand, reactive measures come into play after an incident has already occurred. These measures focus on responding to and managing the aftermath of an event, such as investigating a security breach or deploying contingency plans. Reactive approaches can include crisis management, recovery efforts, and implementing corrective actions to avoid future occurrences.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for developing a comprehensive security strategy, as both proactive and reactive measures play important roles, but they function at different stages of incident management.