In security monitoring, which step provides assurance to an examiner regarding an organization's risk mitigation strategy?

Monitoring network and host activity is crucial in security monitoring because it provides real-time insights into the operational state of the organization's IT environment. This step allows for the detection of potential threats and vulnerabilities, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of the organization's risk mitigation strategy. By continuously observing both network traffic and host processes, security teams can identify unusual patterns or anomalies that may indicate security breaches or system weaknesses.

Effective monitoring enables organizations to take immediate action in response to threats, ensuring they can address issues proactively. Furthermore, it helps verify that established security controls are functioning as intended, providing reassurance to examiners that the organization is actively engaged in risk management.

While other steps like responding to intrusions, maintaining user activity logs, and ensuring physical security are also important aspects of a comprehensive security strategy, monitoring network and host activity directly ties to the evaluative process, allowing organizations to refine their mitigation strategies based on real data and incidents that occur within their systems.