The “Incident Response Reference Guide: First Aid for Major Cybersecurity Incidents” is a document that provides guidance on how to effectively respond to and manage major cybersecurity incidents. It is typically used by organizations as a reference manual to help them establish and maintain an incident response program. The guide covers a wide range of topics, including the definition of a major cybersecurity incident, the roles and responsibilities of incident response team members, and the steps involved in responding to and resolving major cybersecurity incidents.
This guide consist of 2 main parts: Preparation – how to prepare in order to prevent cyber incidents, and In a crisis – how to behave during an incident. Each main part is delved into 4 main aspects: Technology, Operations, Legal, and Communication.
Here are 4 Key Takeaway from the Guide:
- Preparation pays off – Preparing for a major incident can reduce damage to the organization, as well as reduce incident cost and management difficulty.
- Operationalize your incident management processes – Managing major cybersecurity incidents must be part of standard business risk management processes.
- Coordination is critical – Effective cybersecurity incident management requires collaboration and coordination of technical, operations, communications, legal, and governance functions.
- Stay calm and do no harm in an incident – Overreacting can be as damaging as underreacting.
The guide is an important tool for helping organizations to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of major cybersecurity incidents on their operations, assets, and stakeholders. It is designed to provide “first aid tips and preparation guidance” to help organizations limit the damage caused by major cybersecurity incidents and protect their mission-critical assets and operations. This guide was written by 3 main comapnies that deal with cybersecurity and data security: Microsoft, Edelman, and EY.