What are the most important policies and procedures for security incident response?

3 Incident identification and classification

Incident identification and classification is the process of detecting and assessing potential security incidents that may affect your IT services. It involves collecting and analyzing data from various sources, such as logs, alerts, reports, and feedback, to determine if there is an indication of a security breach or compromise. Incident identification and classification also involves assigning a severity level and a priority level to each incident, based on the impact and urgency of the situation. This helps you decide how to allocate your resources and how to communicate the incident to your stakeholders.

4 Incident containment and eradication

Incident containment and eradication is the process of isolating and removing the source and the effects of a security incident. It involves applying technical measures, such as blocking network access, disabling accounts, or deleting files, to prevent the incident from spreading or causing further damage. It also involves identifying and eliminating the root cause of the incident, such as a vulnerability, a malware, or a human error, to prevent recurrence. Incident containment and eradication should be done as quickly and as thoroughly as possible, without compromising the integrity of the evidence.

5 Incident analysis and recovery

Incident analysis and recovery is the process of investigating and restoring your IT services after a security incident. It involves collecting and preserving evidence, such as logs, images, or backups, to understand the scope, the timeline, and the methods of the incident. It also involves restoring your IT services to normal operation, by repairing or replacing the affected systems, data, or components. Incident analysis and recovery should be done in a systematic and documented way, following the best practices and standards of your industry.

6 Incident reporting and improvement

Incident reporting and improvement is the process of documenting and learning from a security incident. It involves creating and submitting a report that summarizes the incident, the response, and the outcome, to your internal and external stakeholders, such as management, customers, or regulators. It also involves conducting a review or a post-mortem that evaluates the effectiveness and the efficiency of your incident response plan, team, and procedures, and identifies the lessons learned and the recommendations for improvement. Incident reporting and improvement should be done in a timely and transparent manner, to demonstrate your accountability and your commitment to security.