Cyber Incident Response Plan Guide for IT Companies

It’s not a question of whether a cybersecurity incident response plan is necessary, but rather when it will be needed. Companies, regardless of their size or type, that do not have a well-defined plan to address cyberattacks, such as phishing, ransomware, or DDOS attacks, may abruptly face disruptions to their operations and struggle to initiate recovery.

What Is a Cyber Incident Response Plan?

Cyber Incident Response Plan Definition

A plan for responding to cybersecurity incidents outlines the precise procedures an organization will follow in the event of a cybersecurity incident. A well-designed incident response plan specifies the means by which the detection of a cybersecurity incident will take place, as well as the classification process that will be employed. This plan should encompass instructions and protocols, including the criteria utilized in evaluating the magnitude and consequences of the incident, as well as the resources allocated for the response.

Cyber Incident Response Plan Purpose

Aims to rapidly restore normal operations after a cyberattack by identifying, containing, and mitigating its effects.

includes information on roles and responsibilities, communication protocols and reporting requirements for key stakeholders, such as IT staff, security personnel, executives and external parties;
describes procedures for assembling and activating a cross-functional cyber incident response team, steps for containment and eradication of the threat, and strategies for limiting the spread and potential damage;
details how the organization will communicate with stakeholders such as customers, partners, regulators and law enforcement;
specifies how evidence will be gathered for investigation; and
spells out the steps for restoring normal operations.

Elements of a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan

Your cybersecurity incident response plan needs to be a thorough and tightly organized approach to addressing all possible types of cyber threats.

Plan Before You Need It

In the event of a cyberattack on your company, there is no room for delay in determining the optimum course of action. For this reason, it is vital to pre-establish a plan and evaluate its effectiveness by simulating different possible scenarios.

How to Create an Incident Response Plan

1. Determine the critical components of your network

In order to safeguard your network and data from significant harm, it is necessary to duplicate and save your data in a distant location. Due to the vast and intricate nature of business networks, it is advisable to identify your most vital data and systems. Give priority to backing them up and make a record of their locations. By taking these measures, you will facilitate a swift recovery of your network.

2. Identify single points of failure in your network and address them

It is important to have a backup plan for every critical component of your network, including hardware, software, and staff roles, just like you should back up your data. When an incident occurs, single points of failure can leave your network vulnerable. You can mitigate this risk by implementing redundancies or software failover features. Similarly, it is advisable to have a backup plan for your staff. If the assigned employee is unable to handle an incident, designate a second person who can take over. By having backups and fail-safes in place, you can ensure that incident response and operations continue smoothly while minimizing the impact on your network and business.

3. Create a workforce continuity plan

In the event of a security breach or natural disaster, certain places or activities may become inaccessible. Regardless, the safety of employees is the primary concern. To guarantee their safety and minimize disruptions to business operations, enable remote working for them. Develop infrastructure with technologies like virtual private networks (VPNs) and secure web gateways to facilitate communication among the workforce.

4. Create an incident response plan

In order to ensure that every individual within the company comprehends their respective responsibilities, it is essential to create a formal incident response plan.

An incident response plan commonly consists of:

A list of roles and responsibilities for the incident response team members.
A business continuity plan.
A summary of the tools, technologies, and physical resources that must be in place.
A list of critical network and data recovery processes.
Communications, both internal and external.

5. Train your staff on incident response

Only IT needs to fully comprehend the incident response plan; however, it is essential for all individuals within your organization to grasp its significance. Once you have formulated the plan, it is imperative to impart knowledge of incident response to your staff. When employees collaborate with IT, it can curtail the duration of disruptions. Furthermore, acquiring a fundamental understanding of security concepts can minimize the likelihood of a major breach.

Cyber Incident Response Team

Establishing a cyber incident response team charged with is crucial to your organization’s security incident response procedure.

developing and testing your incident response plan,
managing communications through every stage of the incident,
providing remediation strategies to resolve the threat,
investigating incidents to prevent future recurrences, and
identifying changes to technology, training, policy and governance.

Creating Your Cyber Incident Response Team

It is crucial to ensure that each member of the incident response team understands their role when forming a team for cyber incident response planning. Additionally, regularly practicing the steps of cyber incident response is essential to ensure preparedness for an actual incident.

Internal Cyber Incident Response Team Members

Your incident response team should include individuals from various roles, not just limited to the IT department. Effective incident response plans should involve key individuals from different positions. As a minimum requirement, your team should consist of:

a top executive who can approve budgets and plans,
a project manager to oversee the process,
someone whose role it is to track and record every decision and action (this information will help when you file a claim and enhance your future planning),
someone focused on risk management,
representatives from your internal legal team, and
someone with responsibility for security.

Before sharing information with a wide audience, it is essential to consult with your legal counsel to ensure that secret details are not leaked, which could result in financial losses and damage to your reputation. While it is important to have a diverse team including key decision-makers who are aware of ongoing events, it is crucial not to disclose information to employees who are not part of the response team.