Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan Template

Cyberattacks pose a constant threat, capable of disrupting businesses without notice. To withstand these inevitable threats and build cyber resilience, having robust incident response plans refined through rigorous testing is essential.

New SEC regulations mandate that public companies disclose any cyber incidents that materially impact their business, highlighting the importance of incident response planning. These regulations require prompt and seamless reporting.

What does the incident response plan template include?

The template emphasizes action steps to protect privileged accounts, which is crucial to prevent a cyberattack from escalating. Compromised privileged accounts can significantly increase the impact and duration of a breach. Therefore, the template prioritizes actions that enable quick and effective discovery and containment of privileged access attacks while ensuring business continuity.

The plan outlines the coordinated efforts of all individuals involved in incident response within the organization, detailing the roles of:

• Security leaders
• Operations managers
• Business leaders
• Help desk teams
• Identity and Access (IAM) managers
• Audit and compliance teams
• Legal teams
• Communication teams
• Executives and Board members

Additionally, the incident response template includes

Guidance on forming an incident response team, encompassing IT, compliance, and communications representatives Recommended actions for each phase of a cyber incident. A sample incident scenario for use in tabletop exercises and training

Tips for maintaining incident response plan

Incident response plan should be continuously reviewed and updated. Regularly reassess the plan to ensure it aligns with changes in the organizational structure, risk profile, supply chain relationships, and any other factors that might affect cyber incident response strategy. Practicing incident response plan is crucial.

Conduct realistic dry runs to ensure the process flows smoothly. Perform practice runs after significant changes to the IT or organizational environment.The most effective incident response plans are those that have been thoroughly tested and simulated.

Incorporate a walkthrough of the plan into the onboarding process for relevant new hires. Schedule regular updates and reviews of incident response plan, ideally on a quarterly basis.

How to know if the incident response plan template is suitable for the company?

Many companies mistakenly believe they are too small to need an incident response plan or to be targeted by attackers. They might also worry about lacking the staff to manage such a plan. However, even the smallest organizations are at risk of cyberattacks and can greatly benefit from having an incident response plan in place before an incident occurs.

If one is an IT leader with cybersecurity responsibilities, incident response might not be a daily focus. One may need to delegate roles to individuals outside their usual areas of expertise. This makes it even more important to document and practice the plan.

Some companies rely on third-party support for their incident response activities. If this is applied, ensure that both parties are using shared documents, such as this incident response plan template, to maintain alignment and coordination.

What is incident response?

Incident response refers to an organization’s approach to handling cybersecurity incidents, such as data breaches or ransomware attacks .Cybersecurity encompasses both technical and human elements.Effective cybersecurity involves implementing security controls and coordinating efforts across IT operations and security teams.

Key activities include detecting and containing attacks, as well as managing backup, recovery, and digital forensics. Additionally, cybersecurity involves external communications with partners and customers, as well as reporting to regulatory authorities and cyber insurance companies.

The purpose of an incident response plan is to ensure that the organization is fully prepared to respond to any cybersecurity incident quickly and effectively. It is an essential component of a comprehensive risk management program and vital for business resilience.

What is there a difference between incident response and incident handling?

Yes, there is a distinction, although they complement each other and are both crucial for an effective incident response process.Incident response focuses on the technical aspects of analyzing and containing an incident.Incident handling involves the human elements: the communication, coordination, and cooperation needed to manage the process effectively.

What is the incident response life cycle?

The incident response life cycle outlines the stages a cybersecurity incident typically undergoes, encompassing everything from preparation to post-incident analysis.

The different types of information security incidents

There are numerous types of cybersecurity incidents that can lead to network intrusions or full-scale data breaches. Here are six types that organizations are particularly vulnerable to

Phishing attacks These occur when an individual clicks on a link in a seemingly legitimate email, resulting in the disclosure of sensitive information (like a password) or the installation of ransomware or other malware. Organizations are highly susceptible to phishing because attackers exploit employees’ trust, leading to high success rates. Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing where the attacker researches the victim to execute a more effective attack.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks These attacks aim to shut down a machine or network, making it unable to respond to service requests. DoS attacks achieve this by overwhelming the target with traffic or sending information that causes a crash.

Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks Also referred to as Person-in-the-Middle (PitM) attacks, these occur when an outside entity intercepts and alters communications between two parties who believe they are communicating directly with each other. The attacker impersonates both parties, manipulating them to gain access to data. Examples include session hijacking, email hijacking, and Wi-Fi eavesdropping.

Drive-by attacks Cybercriminals plant malicious scripts on insecure websites. These scripts can install malware on a visitor’s computer or redirect the victim to a site controlled by the attackers.

Password attacks These attacks aim to obtain a user’s password through various techniques, such as password-cracking programs, dictionary attacks, password sniffers, or brute-force guessing. Attackers often use personal knowledge of the individual (like their birthday or pet’s name) to guess passwords. This underscores the importance of using strong, complex passwords.

Malware and ransomware attacks This category includes any malicious software installed without the user’s consent. Common types include file infectors, worms, Trojans, ransomware, adware, spyware, logic bombs, and viruses. Such malware can be inadvertently installed through freeware, ads, or infected websites.

What is industry-specific cybersecurity incident reporting?

While the incident response process is generally similar across organizations, the incident reporting procedures can vary significantly by industry. For instance, the healthcare industry must follow HIPAA incident reporting requirements.

Here are some industry-specific regulations with particular incident reporting laws and their applicable sectors:

• HIPAA: For entities that create, receive, maintain, or transmit electronically protected health information.
• FISMA/NIST: For U.S. federal agencies or government contractors.
• PCI DSS: For organizations that accept, store, or transmit credit card data.
• NERC/CIP: For energy and utility companies.
• SOX: For public companies (and, in some cases, private companies) that must comply with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations.
• NYCRR: For New York insurance companies, banks, and other regulated financial services institutions. If an organization falls under any of these regulations, one must understand the specific incident reporting requirements for industry and tailor the incident response plan accordingly. The incident response plan template includes links to helpful industry-specific information.

Conclusion

The Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan Template is an essential tool for any organization looking to enhance its resilience against cyber threats. It provides a structured approach to managing and mitigating the impact of cybersecurity incidents. By outlining clear roles, responsibilities, and actions, the template ensures that the organization is prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any cyber incident.

Customizable to meet industry-specific requirements, this template helps maintain business continuity and compliance with regulatory obligations. Regularly updating and practicing incident response plan will further strengthen the organization’s defense against evolving cyber threats.