--- title: Understanding Security Incidents vs Event in Cybersecurity || BitLyft description: Know the difference between security events, alerts, and incidents, with examples and guidance for monitoring, response, and incident planning. image: https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Event-vs-incident-header.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference#main-content) [![BitLyft Cybersecurity](https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/BitLyft-header-logo.svg)](https://www.bitlyft.com/) - Solutions Show submenu for Solutions - [BitLyft True MDR](https://www.bitlyft.com/agentic-mdr) Show submenu for BitLyft True MDR - [What is AMDR?](https://www.bitlyft.com/solutions/what-is-amdr) - [Security Automation](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-automation) - [Security Operation Center (SOC)](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-operations-center-soc) - [SIEM Management](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-information-and-event-management-siem) - [Central Threat Intelligence](https://www.bitlyft.com/central-threat-intelligence) - [BitLyft AIR®](https://www.bitlyft.com/air) - Industries Show submenu for Industries - [Banking](https://www.bitlyft.com/cybersecurity-for-banks) - [Public Utilities](https://www.bitlyft.com/managed-detection-and-response-for-public-utilities) - [DoD (CMMC)](https://www.bitlyft.com/cmmc-cybersecurity-compliance) - [NIST 800 - 171](https://www.bitlyft.com/nist-800-171) - [Healthcare](https://www.bitlyft.com/healthcare-cybersecurity) - [Higher Education](https://www.bitlyft.com/higher-education-cybersecurity) - [AI Data Center Security](https://www.bitlyft.com/ai-data-center-security) - [Cybersecurity for Aerospace](https://www.bitlyft.com/cybersecurity-for-aerospace) - [Energy and Utilities](https://www.bitlyft.com/energy-utilities-cybersecurity) - [Pricing](https://www.bitlyft.com/agentic-managed-detection-response-pricing) - [Partners](https://www.bitlyft.com/partners) - Company Show submenu for Company - [About Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.bitlyft.com/careers) - [Contact Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/contact-us) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Blog](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources) - [Case Studies](https://www.bitlyft.com/case-studies) - [Downloads](https://www.bitlyft.com/downloads) - [Glossary](https://www.bitlyft.com/glossary-of-terms) - [Experienced a Breach?](https://bitlyft.com/emergency-incident-response) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Solutions Show submenu for Solutions - [BitLyft True MDR](https://www.bitlyft.com/agentic-mdr) Show submenu for BitLyft True MDR - [What is AMDR?](https://www.bitlyft.com/solutions/what-is-amdr) - [Security Automation](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-automation) - [Security Operation Center (SOC)](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-operations-center-soc) - [SIEM Management](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-information-and-event-management-siem) - [Central Threat Intelligence](https://www.bitlyft.com/central-threat-intelligence) - [BitLyft AIR®](https://www.bitlyft.com/air) - Industries Show submenu for Industries - [Banking](https://www.bitlyft.com/cybersecurity-for-banks) - [Public Utilities](https://www.bitlyft.com/managed-detection-and-response-for-public-utilities) - [DoD (CMMC)](https://www.bitlyft.com/cmmc-cybersecurity-compliance) - [NIST 800 - 171](https://www.bitlyft.com/nist-800-171) - [Healthcare](https://www.bitlyft.com/healthcare-cybersecurity) - [Higher Education](https://www.bitlyft.com/higher-education-cybersecurity) - [AI Data Center Security](https://www.bitlyft.com/ai-data-center-security) - [Cybersecurity for Aerospace](https://www.bitlyft.com/cybersecurity-for-aerospace) - [Energy and Utilities](https://www.bitlyft.com/energy-utilities-cybersecurity) - [Pricing](https://www.bitlyft.com/agentic-managed-detection-response-pricing) - [Partners](https://www.bitlyft.com/partners) - Company Show submenu for Company - [About Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.bitlyft.com/careers) - [Contact Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/contact-us) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Blog](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources) - [Case Studies](https://www.bitlyft.com/case-studies) - [Downloads](https://www.bitlyft.com/downloads) - [Glossary](https://www.bitlyft.com/glossary-of-terms) - [Experienced a Breach?](https://bitlyft.com/emergency-incident-response) - [Request a Demo](https://www.bitlyft.com/request-a-demo) [Request a Demo](https://www.bitlyft.com/request-a-demo) [All posts](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/all) August 19, 2026 # Security Incident vs Event: What’s the Difference? ![Security Incident vs a Security Event](https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Event-vs-incident-header.jpg) ![Picture of Jason Miller](https://www.bitlyft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshots/JasonRound.png?width=50&name=JasonRound.png) By  Jason Miller  ·  3 minute read The cybersecurity industry is filled with terms. To stay fluent, one must stay abreast of these terms and their definitions. If [your security partner](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/are-you-treated-like-a-cybersecurity-partner-or-just-a-ticket-number) informs you about activity within your environment, you will need to speak their language. One question we often hear is, “what is the difference between a cybersecurity event and an incident?” Cybersecurity event and incident are both terms that describe the activity in your technology environment. These terms are similar and often confused. In this blog, we will define both terms so you can speak fluently about your cybersecurity. ![Event-vs-incident](https://www.bitlyft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Event-vs-incident.webp?width=560&height=315&name=Event-vs-incident.webp) ## What Is a Security Event? A security event is a change in the normal behavior of a given system, process, environment or workflow. In other words: when something happens, it’s an event. An event can be either positive or negative. An average organization experiences thousands of events every day. These cybersecurity events can be as small as an email, or as large as an update to your firewalls. **Examples of a cybersecurity event:** - An employee flags a suspicious email. - Someone downloads software (authorized or unauthorized) to a company device. - A security lapse occurs due to a server outage. ### What Is an Alert? An alert is a notification of a cybersecurity event. (Or, sometimes, a series of events.) You can work with your security provider to determine which types of events you want to monitor with alerts. Depending on your [Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/top-cybersecurity-trends-in-the-fintech-industry) software and support, you can send alerts to any relevant parties who need to take action.![Cybersecurity Event vs Incident](https://www.bitlyft.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Event%20vs%20Incident.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&name=Event%20vs%20Incident.jpg) ## What Is a Security Incident? A security incident is a change in a system that negatively impacts the organization, municipality, or business. For example, an incident might take place when a cyber attack occurs. **Note:** an attempted breach is *not* the same as an actual breach. This means, if you count breach *attempts* as incidents, you may have more incidents than what actually occurred. This mistake creates white noise and alarm fatigue. It also makes the collected incident data less valuable. **Examples of a cybersecurity incident:** - An employee replies to a phishing email, divulging confidential information. - Equipment with stored sensitive data is stolen. - A password is compromised through a brute force attack on your system. | Related Reading: [What is an Example of an Incident?](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/what-is-an-example-of-an-incident) | | --- | ## Security Incident vs Event: What's the Difference? All security incidents are events, but not all events are incidents. A cybersecurity event can include a broad range of factors that affect an organization. Security events happen all the time, with hundreds, thousands and even millions occurring each day. An event may need examination to determine whether it poses a security risk or needs documentation. With the extensive amount of events that occur in one day, automated tools like SIEM software are often used to select which ones require attention. Incidents refer to the more specific events that cause harm to your environment. Security incidents typically happen less often than cybersecurity events. A security incident always has consequences for the organization. If an event causes a data or privacy breach, it immediately gets classified as an incident. Incidents must get identified, recorded, and remediated. This is why monitoring security events is so important. Organizations must take a proactive approach to lookout for events that could cause serious problems. [![The Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Logging and Monitoring](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6764014/e9bf2ff1-629c-47ab-8aec-d3535f29fd7a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6764014/e9bf2ff1-629c-47ab-8aec-d3535f29fd7a) ## How to Handle Security Events and Incidents Cybersecurity events and incidents are handled in different ways. Dealing with an incident is more urgent than dealing with an event. However, steps still exist to help respond to events. For example, you might: - Run scans to detect any viruses or malware. - Review files and folders to check for suspicious activity. - Monitor accounts and credentials for unauthorized changes. - Perform a traffic analysis. Having the right cybersecurity event incident management system is essential. Manually dealing with the number of events that occur in one day isn’t practical. An automated system filters out the events that aren’t important. Then, the system compares the events to your business’ everyday activity. This allows you to turn your attention to the events and incidents that matter. However, these systems cannot run on their own. Both systems need configuration and maintenance to stay effective. Some organizations have the staff and resources to manage these operations in-house. Others outsource this work to a managed service provider that operates their security systems for them. ### Have A Security Incident Response Plan When dealing with an incident, you need a **[security incident response plan](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/how-to-develop-refine-and-execute-an-incident-response-plan)**. An incident response plan outlines the steps you need to take when an incident occurs. A security incident response includes a number of different variables. Variables like, who should take care of which tasks and how to respond to prevent future incidents. When responding to a security incident, you need to identify any threats and take steps to contain any infections. After eradicating these threats, it’s important to recover any affected systems. Finally, perform a review to see if there are any lessons that can be learned. Once an incident has been flagged, the goal is to resolve it as quickly as possible. Sometimes a temporary fix is required until a more permanent solution is implemented. The most important goal is to limit any damage and to prevent the problem from getting worse. You can outsource your incident management, but it’s important to remember that an incident can affect an organization in many ways. Everyone should know their role in the resolution. It’s helpful if all employees know how to respond when an incident occurs. For example, you might need your customer service representatives to let customers know about an issue that is affecting operations. If you do partner with a security expert, be sure they understand your environment, your needs, and the way you do business. A great cybersecurity expert will monitor all the events on your system and alert you to any troubling. They will also resolve any incidents before they cause harm to your organization. Ready to learn more about BitLyft Cybersecurity? [Sign up for a free demo](https://go.bitlyft.com/getting-started), and we’ll schedule a short conversation to learn more about how we can help you. | Read Next: [The Complete Guide to Creating an Incident Response Plan Template](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/the-complete-guide-to-creating-an-incident-response-plan-template) | | --- | [![The Complete Guide to Cybersecurity Logging and Monitoring](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6764014/e9bf2ff1-629c-47ab-8aec-d3535f29fd7a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6764014/e9bf2ff1-629c-47ab-8aec-d3535f29fd7a) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference) [![Group 1000001766](https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/Group%201000001766.svg "Group 1000001766")](https://www.bitlyft.com) [BitLyft AIR®](https://www.bitlyft.com/air) [Agentic MDR](https://www.bitlyft.com/agentic-mdr) [Partner](https://www.bitlyft.com/partners) [Privacy Policy](https://www.bitlyft.com/privacy-policy) [Careers](https://www.bitlyft.com/careers) [Blog](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources) [White Papers](https://www.bitlyft.com/downloads) [Use Cases](https://www.bitlyft.com/case-studies) [Miller Mindset Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz7CtIA5QhhJgjIo3CUpdm7gm3Th6mrcm) [About Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/contact-us) [News](https://www.bitlyft.com/news) [Get A Quote](https://www.bitlyft.com/get-a-quote) [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/BitLyft) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitlyft/) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/bitlyft) [youtube icon](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGMnF3PMXFgTotrnPJfC87w) Copyright © 2026, BitLyft Cybersecurity [![BitLyft Cybersecurity](https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/BitLyft-header-logo.svg)](https://www.bitlyft.com) Solutions [FeaturedBitLyft AIR® Autonomous SOC — detection, response & remediation on autopilot, around the clock. Explore the platform](https://www.bitlyft.com/air) Our Solutions [BitLyft Agentic MDRFully managed detection & response](https://www.bitlyft.com/agentic-mdr) [Security AutomationAutomate the busywork of defense](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-automation) [Security Operations Center24/7 SOC coverage](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-operations-center-soc) [SIEM ManagementTuned, managed & monitored](https://www.bitlyft.com/security-information-and-event-management-siem) [Central Threat IntelligenceShared signal across customers](https://www.bitlyft.com/central-threat-intelligence) [BitLyft AIR®Automated incident response](https://www.bitlyft.com/air) [What is AMDR?](https://www.bitlyft.com/solutions/what-is-amdr) [Plans & pricing](https://www.bitlyft.com/pricing) [Compare MDR vs. AIR NEW](https://www.bitlyft.com/true-mdr) Industries [Compliance-readyDoD & CMMC Meet CMMC and NIST 800-171 with security operations built for regulated sectors. See compliance coverage](https://www.bitlyft.com/cmmc) Industries we protect [Banking](https://www.bitlyft.com/banking) [FinTech](https://www.bitlyft.com/managed-detection-and-response-for-fintech) [Public Utilities](https://www.bitlyft.com/managed-detection-and-response-for-public-utilities) [DoD (CMMC)](https://www.bitlyft.com/cmmc) [NIST 800-171](https://www.bitlyft.com/nist-800-171) [Healthcare](https://www.bitlyft.com/managed-detection-and-response-for-healthcare) [Higher Education](https://www.bitlyft.com/higher-education) [AI Data Center Security](https://www.bitlyft.com/ai-data-center-security) [Cybersecurity for Aerospace](https://www.bitlyft.com/cybersecurity-for-aerospace) [Energy & Utilities](https://www.bitlyft.com/energy-and-utilities) [Pricing](https://www.bitlyft.com/pricing) [Partners](https://www.bitlyft.com/partners) Company [Who we areAbout BitLyft On a mission to make elite cybersecurity accessible to every organization. Our story](https://www.bitlyft.com/about-us) Company [About Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/about-us) [Careers](https://www.bitlyft.com/careers) [Contact Us](https://www.bitlyft.com/contact-us) Resources [LearnBitLyft Blog Threat research, how-to guides and security insights from our SOC team. Read the blog](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources) Resources [Blog](https://www.bitlyft.com/resources) [Newsroom](https://www.bitlyft.com/news) [Case Studies](https://www.bitlyft.com/case-studies) [Downloads](https://www.bitlyft.com/downloads) [Experienced a Breach?](https://bitlyft.com/emergency-incident-response) [Request a Demo](https://www.bitlyft.com/request-a-demo) [Request a Demo](https://www.bitlyft.com/request-a-demo) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "description" : "If you’re going to be fluent in cybersecurity, you need to define your terms. If your security partner informs you about the activity that’s happening within your environment, (and they should,) it’s important for you to be able to speak their language. One of the biggest questions we see: What is the difference between an event and an incident, anyway? Both are terms that are used to describe the activity that happens in your technology environment, and they are very often confused. So we thought we’d take the time to clearly define both terms… so that you can speak fluently about the state of your cyber security. Read the full article: bitlyft.com/whats-the-difference-between-an-event-and-an-incident/ Connect with BitLyft on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitlyft Twitter: https://twitter.com/BitLyft Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BitLyft/ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://go.bitlyft.com/bitlyft-brew-newsletter-sign-up", "duration" : "PT2M10S", "embedUrl" : "https://www.youtube.com/embed/5I_MENUXMT4", "interactionCount" : "2706", "name" : "What’s The Difference Between An Event And An Incident", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5I_MENUXMT4/default.jpg", "uploadDate" : "2019-07-08T19:51:15Z" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jason Miller", "url" : "https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/author/jason-miller" }, "dateModified" : "2026-08-19T08:57:59.601Z", "datePublished" : "2019-04-22T16:00:58.000Z", "headline" : "Understanding Security Incidents vs Event in Cybersecurity || BitLyft", "image" : [ "https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Event-vs-incident-header.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/BitLyft%20Logo%20(New)/BLLogo.svg" }, "name" : "BitLyft" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : [ "Jason Miller" ] }, "datePublished" : "2019-04-22T16:00:58+0000", "description" : "Know the difference between security events, alerts, and incidents, with examples and guidance for monitoring, response, and incident planning.", "headline" : "Security Incident vs Event: What’s the Difference?", "image" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/6764014/Imported_Blog_Media/Event-vs-incident-header.jpg", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.bitlyft.com/hubfs/BitLyft%20Logo%20(New)/BLLogo.svg" }, "name" : "BitLyft Cybersecurity" }, "url" : "https://www.bitlyft.com/resources/security-incident-vs-event-what-is-the-difference" } ```