What should be verified by a security operations team member after AIR has processed emails and identified some as malicious?

The correct answer is focused on the necessity of ensuring that any remediation actions that have been initiated to respond to identified malicious emails have been properly approved before implementation. This approval process is critical to maintain control over the response activities and ensures that the appropriate measures are taken in dealing with potential threats.

When emails are flagged as malicious, it's essential for the security operations team member to ensure that the actions taken to remediate the issue have been vetted. This might include quarantining emails, blocking senders, or removing emails from user inboxes. Without proper approval, there could be risks of either overreaching or insufficient responses, potentially leading to further security vulnerabilities or operational disruptions.

While monitoring URL blocks in real-time, external mail forwarding settings, and counting the number of malicious emails identified can all be important tasks, they do not directly pertain to the immediate and critical need for oversight and consent in remediation actions following the identification of threats. The approval process is essential for establishing accountability, validating the actions taken, and ensuring they align with organizational policies and procedures.