Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)

5 minutes 5 Questions

Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) is a security metric that represents the average time taken by an organization to identify a security incident. This metric is essential to comprehend the performance of security monitoring and detection systems in place. A lower MTTD means quicker identification of threats, which can subsequently minimize the impact of security incidents. Evaluating MTTD can reveal potential improvements in detection mechanisms and continuous monitoring processes, leading to an overall enhancement of an organization’s security posture.

Guide: Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)

What is Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)?
Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) is a security metric that measures the average time taken to identify a security breach or incident within an information system. It's a critical component in managing cyber risk as it helps quantify the effectiveness of an organization's detection capabilities.
Why is it important?
MTTD is important because it directly impacts the level of damage a security breach can cause. The quicker an incident is detected, the faster a response can be initiated, minimizing potential harm. It provides insights into the efficiency of your security monitoring tools and processes.
How does it work?
MTTD is calculated by summing the time from when each incident occurs until it is detected, and then dividing that total by the number of incidents. This gives an average figure that represents how efficiently an organization can detect security incidents.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Mean Time to Detect (MTTD)
Understanding and memorizing the definition of MTTD and its significance in security metrics is a must. Recollect that lower MTTD times are desirable, implying faster detection of incidents. Expect to find questions calculating MTTD from given data; make sure you understand how to perform this calculation. Lastly, be prepared to answer questions that link MTTD to incident response and impact analysis.

Test mode:

Exam (Timed)

Practice (With explanations)

Start practice test

Question 1

A security analyst is asked to reduce the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) for sensitive data being exfiltrated from the company's internal network. Which of the following is the most effective approach?

Enforcing stricter network segmentation. Enhancing the physical security of the data center. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools.

Correct Answer: Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools.

Implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools would be the most effective approach in reducing MTTD for sensitive data exfiltration, as it focuses on monitoring, detecting, and preventing data breaches. Other options may improve the overall security posture, but they do not directly address the issue of detecting data exfiltration.

Question 2

An organization wants to improve their Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) for security incidents. Which of the following would best help them achieve this goal?

Hiring additional security personnel. Reducing the number of security tools. Increasing the budget for security training. Implementing continuous monitoring and automated alerting systems.

Correct Answer: Implementing continuous monitoring and automated alerting systems.

Implementing continuous monitoring and automated alerting systems helps to detect security incidents faster, thus reducing the MTTD. Other options may help improve security but do not directly contribute to a faster detection time.

Question 3

A security manager is reviewing the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) across several incidents. During 3 incidents, the respective MTTD values were 2 hours, 4 hours, and 6 hours. What is the average MTTD for these incidents?

4 hours 3 hours 2 hours 6 hours

Correct Answer: 4 hours

To calculate the average MTTD, we need to add the MTTD values of the incidents (2 + 4 + 6) and divide by the number of incidents (3). (2 + 4 + 6) / 3 = 12 / 3 = 4 hours.

Go Premium

CISSP Preparation Package (2024)

More Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) questions

12 questions (total)