> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xpanse/active-response/how-active-response-works.md). # How Active Response Works When Expander identifies an exposure on your attack surface, it creates a new alert and the Active Response module executes an automation playbook. This playbook progresses through a set of stages, as illustrated in the figure below. During each of these stages various automation integrations may be utilized to collect data, send Expander data to another system, or take a remediation action. The Active Response playbook contains a set of sub-playbooks, which support many different remediation paths that can be taken depending on the types of configured integrations, the type of alert, and input provided by the analyst. After the final stage, the alert is resolved. ![how-active-response-works.png](/files/yZqhTYaqIJh85zyfm6ew) ## Remediation Confirmation Scanning During the validation stage, Xpanse validates the resolution of alerts by completing a remediation confirmation scan. This scan utilizes the same payloads and global scanning infrastructure that was used for service discovery to ensure that the risk has been addressed and that it won't inadvertently generate a new alert during the next scheduled scan of this asset. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xpanse/active-response/how-active-response-works.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.