Which term best describes incident classifications based on how long they are expected to last?

• A. Resolution time categories
• B. Incident classes based on duration
• C. Severity levels
• D. Response time brackets

Answer: (B)

Classifying incidents by how long they are expected to last focuses on duration. Describing it as incident classes based on duration clearly communicates that the grouping is by the length of time the incident will affect operations, which helps with planning resources, containment steps, and escalation needs. Short-duration incidents are typically resolved quickly with minimal effort, while longer ones require sustained attention and coordination. Other terms emphasize how fast you respond, how severe the impact is, or how quickly you expect to resolve it, rather than the anticipated time span itself, so they don’t fit as well.