In this chapter, we explored the essentials of cybersecurity through three pivotal sections: Implementing continuous monitoring, Developing an IRP, and Analyzing security incidents. These sections collectively highlighted the importance of real-time monitoring for early threat detection, the creation of a structured response plan for effective incident management (IM), and the critical analysis of incidents to bolster future defenses. These strategies ensure organizations are well equipped to proactively identify, respond to, and learn from cybersecurity threats, enhancing their resilience in the digital landscape. Moving forward, the next chapter, Cloud Security and the NIST RMF, will transition our focus toward applying these foundational cybersecurity principles within cloud environments, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities of securing cloud-based operations.