What is the purpose of an incident report?

The purpose of an incident report is to provide a formal record of security events. This documentation plays a vital role in capturing the details of incidents as they occur. It ensures that there is an accurate and thorough account of what transpired, including time, date, location, individuals involved, and specific actions taken by the security personnel.

Having a detailed record is beneficial not only for reviewing specific incidents but also for identifying patterns or recurring issues that may require further attention or preventive measures. Incident reports can serve as a reference for future training, policy development, and improving overall security operations. This documentation may also be crucial in legal situations or investigations, where having a precise account of events is necessary for resolution or accountability.

While the other choices touch on related topics—such as liability, employee evaluation, and insurance—none capture the core essence of what an incident report is primarily designed to do: document security events formally.