What do you do if you want to master incident response in Cybersecurity?

?? Disclaimer: (This is NOT a pro tip!) Get a PhD in Cybersecurity; acquire all the SANS certs; build a home lab to showcase your portfolio; go to Cybersecurity Meetups; post and comment to build you brand; and hope that someone will offer you an entry-level job, which pays $50K, so you can get some hands on experience.

First of all familiarize yourself with the steps to handle an incident. There are two frameworks commonly in use - SANS Incident Response Framework and NIST IR framework. SANS framework has the followign steps - Step 1: Preparation Step 2: Identification Step 3: Containment Step 4: Eradication Step 5: Recovery Step 6: Lessons Learned NIST IR framework has the following steps: Step 1: Preparation and prevention Step 2: Detection and analysis Step 3: Containment, eradication, and recovery Step 4: Post-incident activity Although the frameworks are similar, there are slight differences in how each of them treat detection, analysis, containment and recovery either as a combination of steps or as completely different stages.

I would like the challenge the topic of this question itself as you should never feel that you have "MASTERED" incident response. The industry is simply too dynamic with new attacks emerging every day. Always have a beginner mindset to incident response as keep learning

To master incident response, gain practical experience through simulated exercises and real-world incidents. Acquire relevant certifications like GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH). Stay updated on emerging threats, tools, and techniques. Collaborate with peers, attend workshops, and contribute to the cybersecurity community for continuous learning and growth.

At a minimum, know P-I-C-E-R-L, from IR, SANS GCIH is a good start, Follow Incident Handlers Diary, to be updated on real-world global Incidents, follow groups sharing Malware Analysis and IR reports like Unit42, Kaspersky, Microsoft IR blogs, and try not to restrict to any plans, as every Incident will be different, and needs to be handled and responded accordingly.

In my experience, there's no substitute for real-world experience in incident response. But as an alternative simulation exercises that allow you to test your incident response skills in a safe environment is the next best to gain more experience.

Seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience in incident response by participating in simulated exercises, internships, or entry-level positions in cybersecurity. Learning from real-world scenarios will help you develop practical skills and confidence in responding to incidents effectively.

Incidents and i would say most importantly zero day kind of incidents are best detected and responded by people with experience, people who have been through various critical situations, who are well read and well trained. Experience must be hands on to the extent possible and must be as per laid down policies and procedures.

Seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience in incident response by participating in simulated exercises, internships, or entry-level positions in cybersecurity teams.

If you have strong cyber controls in place then you many not face a real incident which is good. However you have to be prepared hence table-top exercises are important. Have semi-annual table-top exercises with different scenarios and involve sr management in the table-top exercises. Also DR testing should be conducted.

In my opinion it's better to learn Incident Response Frameworks like NIST CSF (National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework) or SANS (SysAdmin Audit Networking Security) Incident Response Framework. These frameworks provide a structured approach to incident handling, guiding you through the various stages of detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.

Familiarize yourself with incident response plans and procedures used in organizations. Study existing IR frameworks such as NIST SP 800-61 or SANS Incident Handler’s Handbook to understand the structure and components of effective incident response plans.

In my experience, Familiarising yourself with established frameworks like NIST or SANS. These frameworks provide a structured approach to IR, which can be a helpful lens to analyze individual plans.

Studying different incident response plans is like learning from other people's experiences. It helps you see what works well and what doesn't. By looking at how others handle security problems, you can make your own plan better. You can pick up new ideas and tricks that might help you deal with different kinds of issues. Plus, it keeps you up-to-date on what's happening in the world of cybersecurity, so you can stay prepared for whatever comes your way.

An incident response plan not only prepares your organization to face potential cyber attacks but also minimizes damage and accelerates recovery in the event of incidents. It should be built considering the specific needs of your organization and aligned with the industry's best frameworks. Furthermore, in situations where internal expertise may be limited, considering the support of a specialized cybersecurity company can be a prudent decision. These companies have specialized knowledge and experience to assist in the development and implementation of an effective incident response plan, ensuring that your organization is prepared to handle any eventuality efficiently and effectively.

Tools are great, but they don't teach you how to respond under pressure. Here's what does: - Simulated War Games: Find realistic breach scenarios online or even build your own tabletop exercises. They force you to make tough calls fast. - Mentorship: See if your team has veterans willing to share their war stories. Ask how they learned to stay calm when everything's falling apart. - When you're under fire, a detailed playbook keeps you focused. Write down how you use your tools, step-by-step. In my experience, incident response is less about individual tools and more about having the mental muscles to use them wisely when it counts.

In my opinion, Start by understanding the core functionalities of IDS, SIEM, and forensics tools. Then, you can explore specific options based on your organization's needs.

Acquire knowledge of the tools and technologies commonly used in incident response, such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, forensic analysis tools, endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions, and network traffic analysis tools.

Explore the various tools and technologies used in incident response, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) solutions, forensic analysis tools, and malware analysis platforms. Familiarize yourself with how these tools are used to detect, analyze, and mitigate security incidents.

Different tools assist in different stages of a typical incident response flow. There may not be a single tool. Also look for a tool that will help you to document the incident response and its different stages.

In my experience, Capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions and other cybersecurity challenges that simulate real-world incidents under a time crunch. This pressure cooker environment helps you develop critical thinking and decision-making skills that are essential when the adrenaline starts pumping during a real attack.

Regularly practice incident response scenarios through tabletop exercises, red team-blue team simulations, or Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions. These exercises will help you refine your incident response skills, improve decision-making under pressure, and collaborate effectively with team members.

Testing a cybersecurity incident response plan and conducting drills are critical because they help identify weaknesses in the plan, train the response team, improve coordination, and ensure all tools and technology are effective. Regular drills also meet compliance requirements, enable continuous improvement through feedback, and test the team's ability to handle stress. Furthermore, these activities demonstrate to stakeholders that the organization is committed to maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. Essentially, testing and drills ensure that the response plan is not only theoretical but practical and effective in real-world scenarios.

Practice responding to various incident scenarios, including malware infections, data breaches, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and insider threats. Engage in tabletop exercises or capture-the-flag (CTF) challenges to enhance your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities.

Capture the Flag (CTF): Participe en competiciones CTF para practicar la resolución de incidentes de seguridad en un entorno competitivo. Laboratorios de práctica: Utilice laboratorios de práctica en línea para probar sus habilidades de respuesta a incidentes en escenarios simulados. #EscenariosPrácticaRespuestaIncidentes

Incidents does not happen at the same time and with same severity affecting same assets always, so you also need to be prepared to respond to ever changing assets. Hence, what is important is that, be on look out to learn from all possible sources, it can be online forum to seminars, to personal liaison with law enforcement agencies and much more. What you learn, incorporate it in your incident response plan to improve your timings and enable you select better tools and conduct of training for your IR teams

Stay updated with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices in incident response through continuous learning. Attend workshops, webinars, conferences, and training programs offered by reputable organizations and industry experts.

Subscribe to a knowledge-base which shares knowledge of different cyber security incidents happening globally, get to know the root-causes and implement controls your Organization to eliminate those root causes.

Acredito que automa??o é o melhor caminho. Comece identificando os tipos de incidentes mais comuns e crie um plano de a??o para cada um. Em seguida, utilize ferramentas de automa??o para monitorar, detectar e responder a incidentes de forma rápida e eficiente. Integre sistemas de detec??o de intrus?es, análise de registros e ferramentas de gerenciamento de incidentes para criar um fluxo de trabalho automatizado que possa lidar com a maioria dos incidentes sem interven??o humana. Lembre-se de revisar e ajustar regularmente seu processo de automa??o para garantir sua eficácia contínua.

Network with professionals in the incident response field to exchange knowledge and insights. Consider pursuing relevant certifications such as Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), Certified Computer Security Incident Handler (GCCC), or Certified Incident Response Analyst (CIRA) to validate your skills and enhance your credibility as an incident responder. Additionally, stay vigilant and proactive in identifying emerging threats and vulnerabilities to better prepare for incident response scenarios.