Preparation
Last updated
Last updated
Highly skilled Incident Responder with a focus on proactive planning and response aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework and NIST SP 800-61r2 guidelines. Expertise in establishing robust incident response teams, maintaining critical infrastructure, and deploying cutting-edge security tools to mitigate risks. Committed to improving incident readiness through continuous training, documentation, and readiness testing, ensuring rapid containment and recovery during security breaches.
Continuous Preparation Cycle:
Understand that preparation is foundational and ongoing in the incident response lifecycle.
Integrate lessons from post-incident reviews to enhance future readiness.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework:
Adopt NIST’s five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
NIST SP 800-61r2:
Follow the structured guidelines in the Computer Security Incident Handling Guide for effective incident management.
Develop detailed Incident Response Plans (IRPs) covering:
Detection.
Containment.
Communication protocols.
Post-incident reporting.
Ensure clarity and accessibility of all response policies and procedures.
Incident Response Team (IRT):
Assemble and train cross-functional teams with clearly defined roles.
Conduct regular training on emerging threats and response tactics.
Ensure readiness of critical tools:
Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS).
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR).
Web Application Firewalls (WAF).
Digital Forensics Workstations.
Prepare forensic software and hardware for incident handling:
Backup devices.
Blank removable media.
Contact Lists:
Maintain an updated contact list for internal teams and external stakeholders (e.g., legal, HR, law enforcement).
War Room Setup:
Establish secure physical or virtual war rooms for response coordination.
Redundant Communication Channels:
Prepare separate, secure communication lines for the incident response team.
Critical Systems Inventory:
Regularly update a comprehensive list of critical assets, including IP addresses, system roles, and physical locations.
Automated Asset Management:
Leverage tools to streamline inventory updates.
Incident Response Playbooks:
Create and maintain standardized playbooks for various incident types (e.g., ransomware, phishing, DDoS).
Standardized Reports:
Develop report templates to streamline post-incident documentation.
Up-to-Date Network Maps:
Maintain accurate network topology diagrams, including:
Subnetworks.
Connections.
Device roles.
Assist in rapid attack analysis and containment efforts.
Prepared Equipment:
Ensure forensics workstations, backup devices, and essential software are tested and ready.
Software Updates:
Regularly update and validate incident handling software to maintain effectiveness.
Layered Security:
Implement multiple layers of defense, including IPS/IDS, Firewalls, and DLP solutions.
Employee Security Training:
Conduct regular awareness training and social engineering simulations.
Incident Response Policy and Plan:
Develop adaptable incident response policies and action plans.
External Communication Guidelines:
Define clear protocols for engaging with external stakeholders during incidents.
Cross-Department Collaboration:
Foster strong relationships between the incident response team and key departments.
Regular Testing:
Conduct simulated incident drills to test team readiness.
Include scenarios like data breaches, ransomware attacks, and insider threats.
Review and Improve:
Use test outcomes to identify weaknesses and update response plans.
Proactivity: Staying ahead of potential threats through rigorous preparation.
Collaboration: Working across teams to ensure unified responses.
Continuous Improvement: Learning from every incident to enhance resilience and readiness.
