How to Write an Effective Cyber Incident Response Plan
Having an Incident Response Plan (IRP) is a non-negotiable part of any cybersecurity strategy. You must have one in place. But how can you be sure that you’re putting together the best IRP for your business? Answering the question, "What should an incident response plan include?" is the first step. Then all you need to do is customize it to the specifics of your organization.
Writing an Effective Incident Response Plan
Doing a quick Google search on Incident Response Plan Templates will return an overwhelming number of results. While these templates can serve as a reference point, they should not make up the entirety of your plan.
While the thought of a plug-and-play type document seems appealing, each organization is unique and will need to address potential incidents proportionally. This is done by customizing your IRP to the specifics of your organization.
Whether you're updating or starting from scratch, customizing the following sections can help put you on the right track to writing an effective incident response plan.
Define an Incident
So, what should an incident response plan include? One of the first steps in creating an incident response plan is defining what constitutes an incident. Events happen every day, but not every event is an incident requiring a full response. By clearly defining the difference, your team can investigate the event and determine whether or not to "sound the alarm."
When it comes to differentiating an incident from an event, multiple factors come into play. This may include compliance and regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, or client expectations. What may be an event for one company may constitute an incident for another.
Assign Roles and Responsibilities
Once you've defined what an incident entails, the next step is to determine who to contact and when. This section will vary greatly depending on the size of your organization. One person may be responsible for multiple roles.
Each stage in the incident response lifecycle will require different members of your team. These may include: