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Security incident management
Structured incident handling
Aligning Incident Management Processes with ISO 27001 and NIST
Introduction
ISO 27001 is out as an international standard which puts in place a framework for organizations to develop an information security management system (ISMS). The standard which is on to manage information security risks and to see to it that our information assets’ confidentiality, integrity and availability is maintained.
ISO 27001
One in which ISO 27001 is that you put in place an incident response process which should include the following elements:.
- Incident detection and reporting: Organizations should put in place systems to identify and report on security incidents as they happen. This may be done through the use of regular review of security logs, system alerts, and user reports.
- Incident response: Once an issue is reported the organization should have a put in place response plan which details the roles and the responsibilities of the incident response team. The plan also should include actions to contain the issue, reduce its impact, and to prevent any further damage.
- Incident investigation: The response team is to conduct in depth analysis which determines the root cause of the issue, we also look at what damage has been done and which if any vulnerabilities were taken advantage of.
- Incident recovery: After the issue has been brought under control and we have finished the investigation, the company should work on recovery from that which transpired and return to normal operations. This may include restoring data from backups, repairing of damaged systems, and putting in place security measures to avoid future incidents.
- Incident follow-up: The incident response team is to report on the incident, what caused it, and the actions we took to mitigate it. We will use this info to improve our incident management which in turn will better our security.
NIST
NIST is an arm of the U.S. government which puts out standards and guidelines for many industries including cybersecurity. Also NIST has the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) that which provides a set of best practices to organizations which they can use in the management of their cyber risk.
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NIST's CSF includes five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Of these the Respond function is very much so related to incident management processes. When it comes to aligning incident management processes with NIST’s CSF the following should be taken into account:.
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Response planning: Organizations must create and update an incident response plan which details the incident response team’s roles and responsibilities. Also the plan should be put through regular drills and revised as needed to prove its value.
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Communication and analysis: The response team must have open lines of communication which go out to relevant parties including senior management, legal counsel, and external partners. Also the team should look into the incident in detail to determine its extent, impact, and cause.
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Mitigation: The incident response team is to act at once to reduce the impact of the issue at hand which includes isolating affected systems, disabling compromised accounts, andNotify affected users.
- Improvements: After the issue has been resolved the company should look at its incident response plan and put in place any changes which are required. This may include amending security policies, introducing new security measures, or weeding out additional training for staff.
- Documentation: The incident response team will report on the event, the effect of the incident, and what we did in regards to it that is to also use as a base for improving our overall cybersecurity framework and incident management.
Aligning Incident Response Processes to ISO 27001 and NIST.
To put incident management processes in alignment with ISO 27001 and NIST, organizations should look at these best practices:.
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Develop a comprehensive incident response plan: The incident response strategy to include all elements of the incident management process which from detection and report through to recovery and follow up. Also we should regularly review and update the plan for which it to be effective.
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Establish clear communication channels: Organizations must put in place defined lines of communication for the incident which may extend to senior management, legal counsel, and external partners.
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Implement a continuous improvement process: The incident response team is to review and improve the company’s incident management processes which should be done after each incident and from time to which we learn from past incidents. This may include changing security policies, putting in place new security controls, or we may provide more training to employees.
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Use metrics to measure effectiveness: Organizations can put in place key performance indicators (KPIs) which relate to their incident management processes for which may include incident detection time, incident response time, and the number of successfully resolved incidents. These metrics in turn can identify which areas need improvement and also which measures the performance of the organization’s incident management processes.
- Train employees on incident response: Employees should have training related to their roles in incident response which includes identifying and reporting of security incidents, following in place procedures, and taking part in incident response drills.
Aligning Incident Management Processes with ISO 27001 & NIST for Robust Cybersecurity
The digital environment is a minefield of threats which makes for robust incident management not only a best practice but a critical requirement for business continuity and data protection. Across the world organizations are under a continuous attack from malware out breaks to data breaches. What is key is that we do an excellent job in handling these issues which in turn minimizes damage, gets us back to normal fast, and we maintain that which our customers put their trust in.
However we see that many organizations have trouble with putting in place wide reaching and uniform incident response plans. This in turn causes delay in detection, inefficiency in containment, and poor recovery which in large part increases the security events’ impact. Frameworks such as ISO 27001 and NIST put out very useful guidance which present a structure for developing and improving incident management processes which at the same time are in compliance and also very robust.
This article will look at how to best get your organization’s incident management processes in line with the tenets of ISO 27001 and NIST. By that which we put forth and put into practice, companies may develop a pro active and responsive security culture which in turn transforms incident management from a reactive issue into a strategic asset.
Section 1: Understanding the Core Principles of ISO 27001 and NIST for Incident Management
ISO 27001: The Foundation for Information Security Management
ISO 27001 is the standard that which information security management systems are based on also known as ISMS. It is for business to use in the management of info security risks. In terms of incident management the standard provides a structure for dealing with security issues. It also is a push for a system wide approach to the protection of what is in fact very important data.
ISO 27001 Clause 16: Incident Management
Clause 16 of ISO 27001 reports out on in depth what is to go into information security incident management. It includes everything which is from reporting security weaknesses to getting in and dealing with actual incidents. You must have in place procedures which are documented and also defined roles which responsibility is clear. This sees to it that each and every incident is handled as it should be.
Annex A.16: Information Security Incident Management
Annex A.16 which presents practical controls for Clause 16. We guide you through the incident management process. Also we put forth the importance of defined roles and continuous improvement. Think of it as a security team playbook. This helps them improve over time.
NIST: A Comprehensive Framework for Cybersecurity
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) we see as a very flexible tool for managing security risks. It puts out there key functions which include “Respond” and “Recover”. Also what NIST does better is to go in with more in depth, step by step instructions as compared to ISO 27001. This makes the Framework a very useful resource in the development of robust cyber defense.
NIST Special Publication 800-61: Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
NIST SP 800-61 presents in great detail on computer security incident handling. It puts forth a very clear phased approach. Which phases? Preparation, detection and analysis, containment, eradication and recovery, and what comes after the incident. This guide is the go to resource for any incident response team. It enables them to react fast and smart.
NIST CSF Functions and Incident Management
Incident management actions map to the primary functions of the NIST CSF. “Identify” helps you to know what systems you have. “Protect” puts in place the safeguards. “Detect” which is for noting out of the ordinary activity. “Respond” is for the incident itself. “Recover” which is to get back to normal. Each of these functions play a large role in a good incident response lifecycle.
Section 2: Developing a Robust Incident Response Plan (IRP).
Defining Roles, Responsibilities, and Communication Channels
In your incident response team (IRT) it is essential to have defined roles. Each team member must know what is expected of them in the event of an incident. ISO 27001 requires that responsibilities be put in writing and NIST gives guidance on communication. What good incident response plans do is they remove confusion when things break down.
Establishing the Incident Response Team (IRT)
An IRT has a mixed group of people. We may have an incident manager, a tech lead, legal counsel, a communications person, and also an HR rep. Each member brings what they do best to the team. This diverse group of professionals which we put together to respond to any incident.
Communication Strategies During an Incident
Your plan should cover how to address communication with people inside and out of your company. Which groups go first? How do you brief stakeholders? What is the report out plan? We have found that clear communication steps are key. This keeps all parties in the loop and calm.
Incident Detection and Reporting Mechanisms
Identify issues early which saves you in the long run. Get your staff trained in simple reporting of security incidents. This ties into ISO 27001’s requirements for detection and NIST’s analysis phase. Proactive detection is the base of strong security.
Leveraging Security Tools for Detection
Modern security infrastructure is your watchman. We see Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS), and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions as assets. Also we have threat intelligence platforms which do the job of identifying threats. They put out early alerts.
Establishing User Reporting Procedures
Simplify the process for employees to report incidents. We will provide them with clear guidelines and easy to use tools. We will also provide regular training which will inform them what to look for and how to report it fast. User reports are the first line of defense.
Section 3: Incident Containment, Eradication, and Recovery Strategies
Implementing Effective Containment Measures
When an incident occurs you have to put a stop to it right away. Containment measures which prevent the issue from spreading are what you want to take. At NIST we find very good guidance on this issue. The faster you react the less damage you will see.
Network Segmentation and Isolation
Technical means to stop an attack are to separate affected systems. We may isolate certain networks. Which in turn will prevent attackers to gain further access into your systems. Think of it as we are setting up a firewall around the affected area.
System Hardening and Patching
Making your systems more secure as we say “harden them” is what stops the bad guys. Also by applying security patches as they come out you close off those easy targets which attackers use. These steps in turn contain current threats and also protect against future ones.
Eradication and Recovery Best Practices
After containment, we must eliminate the threat completely. Also you should see that systems and data return to normal. This is in line with ISO 27001 and NIST’s recovery stages. Also you want to remove all signs of the attack.
Data Restoration from Backups
Reliable back up systems are your key to recovery. We must test and use proven backup methods. When systems go down, good back ups get your data back in no time and that is also the best way to get services back up.
System Rebuilding and Verification
At times you have to do a full rebuild of compromised systems. After the rebuild process, you should check the integrity of the systems. Make sure they are clean and secure before bringing them back online. That way you avoid the issues from reoccurring.
Section 4: Post-Incident Analysis and Continuous Improvement
Conducting Thorough Post-Incident Reviews
Each time an incident happens it is a learning experience. We look at what went wrong in those cases which in turn help us improve for the next time. ISO 27001 requires management reviews in this regard, as does the NIST framework for post incident actions. Out of mistakes we learn which in turn strengthens our security.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Performing a root cause analysis is a way to get at the bottom of what caused an issue. We go in to it with a very detailed approach which isn’t just about patching the issue at hand. We trace back to the origin of the problem. By finding the root cause we are also able to put in place solutions which will prevent that issue from reoccurring.
Lessons Learned Documentation
Write out what you took away from each incident. What worked well and what did not. This documentation forms a resource which the team can refer to. It guides in improving response to future incidents.
Integrating Feedback into Incident Management Processes
Use from what you see in reviews to improve your security. Update your policies, procedures and training. Also change out your technical controls. This makes your incident response a living breathing entity.
Updating Incident Response Plans (IRPs)
Your IRP should be a living document. Refine it after post incident review. If it did not work out as planned, improve it. Keep your plan relevant and ready for any issue.
Enhancing Security Awareness Training
In the field we see that when we use real world incident stories in security training for employees we are able to better engage them. Also it causes them to see how their own actions play a role in preventing or causing incidents. This makes the training more relevant and impactful for all.
Section 5: Leveraging Technology and Automation for Incident Management
Implementing Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
SOAR tools which we have at our disposal will speed up your incident response. We see in them the automation of many repetitive tasks. That in turn makes your team work better and respond faster. Automation with these tools also reduces manual effort.
Automating Playbooks for Common Incidents
You may put in place automated playbooks for typical issues such as phishing emails or malware attacks. These playbooks take you through the steps. Also they guarantee a uniform and prompt response each time.
Integrating Security Tools for Seamless Workflows
SOAR has the ability to connect various security tools. We see smooth workflows as a result. Data passes from one tool to another without manual input. This in turn reduces errors and speeds up the process.
Utilizing Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs)
Threat Intelligence Programs (TIPs) present to you valuable information on emerging risks. They help you identify threats which may grow into major incidents. TIPs support your defensive measures. They give you the full picture.
Enriching Incident Data with External Feeds
TIPs which collect threat data from outside of your network. We then compare that to what is happening in your security logs. This provides a greater picture for an incident. With more info at hand you are able to react better.
Proactive Threat Hunting
Threat intel also puts you on the offensive. You go after that which is hidden in your system. This pro active approach which in turn catches issues before they get out hand. Defense turns into offense.
Section 6: Key Takeaways and Future-Proofing Your Incident Management
Essential Pillars for Effective Incident Management
A robust incident management program has this which we call for it has clear plans, skilled personnel, and continuous improvement. These are the key elements in doing security well. By building these pillars you stands tall against threats.
The Importance of Proactive Preparation
Being proactive before an incident occurs is very important. Have a sound IRP. Train your staff well. Frequently test your procedures. Preparation is a way of thinking as much as a series of steps.
The Continuous Cycle of Improvement
Incident response is a process that doesn’t end. We have to go back to it again and again. You will have to improve and change it as you go. This is an on going cycle which in turn improves our defense.
Achieving Cyber Resilience with ISO 27001 and NIST alignment.
Aligning your incident response to ISO 27001 and NIST will see your business recover from an attack. This is what cyber resilience is all about. Your company will be able to get back up and running even when the worst happens. Also these frameworks put in place a structure which is able to weather challenges.
Actionable Steps for Implementation
Start off by looking at your present incident plan. See what elements in it comply with ISO 27001 and NIST. Then put together a list of what you will have to do. Train your team on these changes. Run through your new plan in practice.
Staying Ahead of Evolving Threats
Cyber attacks are ever evolving. Your response must grow and change too. Stay informed of the latest threats. Frequently update your plans. This will put you at an advantage against the attackers.
Conclusion
Aligning incident response processes to ISO 27001 and NIST will see organizations improve their cyber security posture and reduce the impact of security incidents. In this article we put forth best practices which organizations may use to develop strong incident response processes that are in line with international cyber security frameworks.