Upon discovering a new high-alert ransomware threat, what should be your next step for investigation?

The most appropriate next step for investigation upon discovering a high-alert ransomware threat is to review the exposure and mitigations section. This step is critical because it helps to understand the potential impact the ransomware may have on your organization, including which systems might be affected and the specific vulnerabilities that the ransomware may exploit.

By reviewing the exposure details, you can identify the scope of the threat, which can assist in prioritizing a response and implementing effective countermeasures. Additionally, the mitigations section provides insight into the recommended actions that can be taken to reduce the risk or impact of the threat. This information is crucial for formulating a strategy to protect your organization from the threat and to begin remediation efforts effectively.

Subsequent steps such as viewing impacted devices or mailboxes, applying updates, and setting up notifications may also be necessary, but they are dependent on first understanding the nature of the threat through exposure and mitigation analysis. Thus, approaching the situation in this order ensures a more informed and strategic response to the ransomware threat.