After an identified security breach, an analyst is tasked to initiate the IR process. Which of the following is the NEXT step the analyst should take?

Recovery is a later phase in the incident response lifecycle, occurring after containment and eradication, where systems are restored to normal operation.

The Identification phase of incident response involves verifying the reported incident, gathering more detailed information, determining its scope, type, and severity. Even after a breach is initially 'identified,' this phase comprehensively analyzes and scopes the incident before further action.

Preparation is the initial phase of incident response that occurs *before* any incident, focusing on establishing policies, tools, and training.

Documentation is an ongoing activity throughout all IR phases and a critical part of post-incident activities, but it is not a standalone phase that immediately follows an initial breach notification to initiate IR.

Escalation is an action that may occur within various IR phases (e.g., during identification or containment) to bring in higher-level expertise or authority, rather than being the next major phase itself.