Cybersecurity Incident Response Phases

Of all of the varied duties that I have had over the years in cyber-security, cyber incident response was by far my favorite.  (Although turning wrenches on Navy fighter jet aircraft is still the best job I ever had - but that is another story). Cyber threats have become a persistent risk for organizations around the globe. It is not a matter of if but when a cyber incident will occur. To effectively respond to these incidents, organizations must follow a structured and well-defined cyber incident response plan. This plan should include key phases: Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recover, and Lessons Learned. As discussed in a previous article, incident responders might be a part of an organization's cyber-security "Blue Team" and is the team that performs part of the Defensive Security" activities.  

One thing to note here is that depending on the organization and which standards they are adhering to, there will be some variations in the phases of cyber-security incident response.  In my research, many descriptions of incident response leave out the "Lessons Learned" phase, which I will discuss in this article.  In my experience as an incident responder, I found the lessons learned documentation to be a valuable step in truly fixing the problems that caused an incident and helping to prevent future incidents.  While the incident response phases may go by different names, the overall process is the same.

The Cyber Incident Response Phases:

Preparation: Every incident response plan starts with having a written plan and set of standard operating procedures.  The incident response team of incident responders must be prepared and well trained.  The certifications section below will help identify some of the common certifications held by cyber incident responders.

Identification: The next phase is Identification, also known as Detection, which entails identifying and analyzing potential cyber incidents. This can be accomplished through various means, such as intrusion detection systems, firewall logs, security information and event management (SIEM) tools, and user reporting.  Prepare to look through a lot of log files in this phase!  On my team, we often referred to this as finding a needle in a haystack, or even finding a specific needle in another stack of needles.  The goal is to identify any anomalies or suspicious activities that may indicate a cyber incident. Timely detection is crucial as it allows organizations to quickly respond and minimize the impact of the incident.

Once an incident is detected, the Analyze activities are initiated. This part of the phase involves gathering and analyzing information related to the incident. It is important to understand the nature and scope of the incident, including the affected systems, data compromised, and the attacker's techniques. This analysis helps organizations make informed decisions and determine the appropriate response strategy.

Containment: The Containment phase focuses on "stopping the bleeding" and preventing further damage and limiting the spread of the incident. This often involves isolating affected systems from the network, disconnecting compromised accounts, and implementing temporary measures to mitigate the impact. The primary goal is to minimize the attacker's ability to maintain control over the compromised systems and prevent the incident from escalating.

Eradication: After containing the incident, the Eradicate phase begins. This phase involves identifying and removing the attacker's presence from the network. It may include activities such as patching vulnerabilities, updating security controls, and removing malicious code. It is crucial to thoroughly investigate the incident to ensure that all traces of the attacker are eradicated, preventing any possibility of reoccurrence.

Recovery: The next phase is Recovery, where organizations restore normal operations and systems affected during the incident. This may involve rebuilding compromised systems, restoring backup data, and implementing enhanced security measures. Additionally, it is essential to conduct lessons learned sessions to identify areas of improvement and strengthen the organization's overall security posture for the future.

Lessons Learned: The incident response lessons learned phase is an integral part of the overall incident response process and is the most important phase in my humble opinion. It occurs after an incident has been resolved and involves analyzing the incident to identify key lessons and improve future incident response efforts.  This phase ties back into the preparation phase and can help to prevent future occurrences of incidents. Here are the key aspects of this phase:

• Incident debriefing: All individuals involved in the incident response process gather to discuss the incident in detail. This includes incident responders, technical staff, management, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Documentation: The incident details, incident response actions, and all relevant information are documented thoroughly. This documentation helps in the analysis and future reference.
• Analysis of the incident response process: The incident response team reviews the response process and identifies areas of improvement. They assess whether the incident response plan was followed correctly, if any delays or errors occurred, and if there were any gaps in the response capabilities.
• Root cause analysis: The incident is analyzed to determine the root cause or causes. This involves examining the underlying issues, vulnerabilities, or mistakes that led to the incident occurrence.
• Identifying lessons learned: The insights gained from the incident are translated into actionable lessons learned. This covers process improvements, technical changes, training needs, and overall organizational changes required to strengthen the incident response capabilities.
• Updating incident response plans: The recorded lessons learned are used to update and enhance the organization's incident response plans, policies, and procedures. This ensures that future incidents can be handled more effectively and with greater efficiency.
• Training and communication: The lessons learned from the incident are communicated throughout the organization and incorporated into training programs for employees. This ensures that the incident response knowledge is disseminated, and the organization becomes better prepared to handle similar incidents in the future.

The incident response lessons learned phase is essential for organizations to continually refine and improve their incident response capabilities, thereby minimizing the impact and potential for future incidents.

Team Collaboration:

Throughout the entire incident response process, effective communication and collaboration are vital. Cyber incident response teams should collaborate with various stakeholders, including IT staff, legal counsel, executive management, and external parties such as law enforcement or regulatory bodies.  Some of the incidents that my team handled, for example, involved collaboration with the FBI and Homeland Security due to their severity!  Clear lines of communication ensure that all relevant information is shared, critical decisions are made promptly, and resources are allocated effectively.

Cyber Incident Responder Certifications:

A cybersecurity incident responder typically needs the following certifications:

Certified Incident Handler (GCIH): This certification focuses on detecting, responding to, and managing cybersecurity incidents, including analyzing root causes and investigating real-world scenarios.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): This certification provides knowledge of hacking techniques, allowing incident responders to understand how hackers operate, detect vulnerabilities, and remediate compromised systems.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): CISSP is a comprehensive certification that covers various domains of cybersecurity, including incident response. It validates an individual's knowledge in developing, managing, and supporting security and response procedures.

EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH): This certification focuses specifically on incident handling and response methodologies, allowing responders to effectively manage and mitigate security incidents.

Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (CCFE): This certification provides the skills required to collect, analyze, and maintain digital evidence for incident response or forensic investigations.

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH): This certification focuses on incident handling techniques and effective response methodologies to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.

Additionally, certifications from vendors, such as Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate, may be relevant depending on the technology stack used by an organization. Integrating specialized certifications further enhances an incident responder's capabilities.

Wrapping It All Up:

Cyber incidents are an unfortunate reality in today's digital landscape. Organizations must be prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to minimize their impact. Following a structured cyber incident response plan that includes the phases of Detect, Analyze, Contain, Eradicate, and Recover is crucial. By adhering to these phases, organizations can effectively manage and mitigate cyber incidents, ultimately safeguarding their business and sensitive data.

Cyber Incident Response Resources:

• NIST Computer Security Incident Handling Guide:  https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/61/r2/final
• SANS Incident Handler's Handbook:  https://www.sans.org/white-papers/33901/
• CISA Cyber Incident Response:  https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/services/cyber-incident-response
• National Cyber Incident Response Plan:  https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/national-cyber-incident-response-plan-ncirp

Author's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy.