Chapter 15: Mitigating Risk With A Computer Incident Respons

Chapter 15mitigating Risk With A Computer Incident Response Team Planc

Chapter 15mitigating Risk With A Computer Incident Response Team Planc

CHAPTER 15 Mitigating Risk with A Computer Incident Response Team Plan Learning Objective(s) and Key Concepts Perform business continuity, disaster, and incident response planning. Definition of a computer incident response team (CIRT) plan Purpose of a CIRT plan Elements of a CIRT plan How a CIRT plan can mitigate an organization’s risk Best practices for implementing a CIRT plan Learning Objective(s) Key Concepts Computer Security Incident A violation or imminent threat of a violation of a security policy or security practice Examples Denial of service (DoS) attack Malicious code Unauthorized access Inappropriate usage Multiple component What Is a Computer Incident Response Team Plan? Computer incident response team (CIRT) A group of people who respond to incidents A CIRT plan Formal document that outlines an organization’s response to computer incidents Formally defines a security incident May designate the CIRT team Purpose of a CIRT Plan Helps organizations identify and prepare for computer incidents Applies critical thinking to solve potential problems Helps develop best responses to reduce damage Outlines the purpose of the response effort The five Ws: what, where, who, when, and why Growth of Incidents 1988 – one incident was news 2003 – 137,529 incidents Today – off the charts Elements of a CIRT Plan CIRT members IT staff and security professionals who understand risks and threats posed to networks and systems Roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities CIRT policies Incident handling process Communication escalation procedures Incident handling procedures CIRT Members Team leader Information security members Network administrators Physical security personnel Legal Human resources (HR) Communications Responsibilities Developing incident response procedures Investigating incidents Determining the cause of incidents Recommending controls to prevent future incidents Protecting collected evidence Using a chain of custody Accountabilities Accountable to the organization to provide a proactive response to any incident Expected to minimize the impact of any incident Expected to keep up to date on security threats and possible responses Dedication on the part of each team member CIRT Policies May be simple statements or contained in appendixes at the end of the plan Provide the team with guidance in the midst of an incident Primary policy to consider: whether or not CIRT members can attack back Best practice is not to escalate an attack into a two-sided conflict Leave retribution to law enforcement.

Other policies may be related to: Evidence Communications Safety Incident Handling Process Four phases defined by NIST SP 800-61 Handling DoS Attack Incidents DoS attacks attempt to prevent a system or network from providing a service by overwhelming it to consume its resources. Indications that a DoS attack is occurring: User reports of system unavailability Intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts on the attack Increased resource usage on the attacked system Increased traffic through the firewall to the attacked system Unexplained connection losses Unexplained system crashes Suspected attack can be confirmed by reviewing available logs Handling DoS Attack Incidents (Cont.) Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack from a botnet What are the implications on the attacked server?

Handling Malware Incidents Primary protection is antivirus software Secondary protection is to train and educate users Create checklists that identify what users should do if their systems are infected If malware infects an email server, isolate the server Configure web browsers and email readers to prevent the execution of malicious mobile code Viruses Worms Mobile code Trojan horses Handling Unauthorized Access Incidents Examples: Viewing or copying sensitive data without authorization Using social engineering Guessing or cracking passwords and logging on with these credentials Running a packet sniffer, such as Wireshark, to capture data transmitted on the network Hardening steps: Reducing the attack surface Keeping systems up to date Enabling firewalls Enabling IDSs Handling Inappropriate Usage Incidents Examples: Spamming coworkers Accessing websites that are prohibited Circumventing security policies Using file sharing or P2P programs Sending files with sensitive data outside the organization Launching attacks from within the organization against other computers Means of prevention: Security policies and acceptable use policies (AUPs) Alerts Log reviews Reports by other users Data loss prevention (DLP) software Handling Multiple Component Incidents Multiple component incident is a single incident that includes two or more other incidents, which are related to each other but not always immediately apparent Steps to take: Identify the root cause of an incident.

Remote the root cause, if possible. Example: Incident 1: A user opens a malicious email attachment infects the system. Incident 2: The malware releases a worm that infects other computers on the network. Incident 3: The malware contacts a server, which forms a botnet. Infected systems on the network find other systems to infect.

Communication Escalation Procedures Escalation When someone determines an event is an incident and declares it One of the first steps is to recall one or more CIRT members If the incident is worse than expected: CIRT member can escalate the response Organization can activate the full CIRT If ordinary communications are hampered: CIRT members can be issued push-to-talk phones or walkie-talkies A war room can be set up for face-to-face communications Incident Handling Procedures Calculating the impact and priority Using a generic checklist Handling DoS attack incidents Handling malware incidents Handling unauthorized access incidents Handling inappropriate usage incidents Calculating the Impact and Priority (Example) Current effect rating Minimal because the attack is currently affecting only one web server in the web farm.

Score of 10. This rating will be used for 25 percent, or one-quarter, of the overall impact score (10 à— .25 = 2.5). Projected effect rating Medium because the attack has the potential to spread to more web servers in the web farm. Score of 50. This rating will be used for 25 percent, or one-quarter, of the overall impact score (50 à— .25 = 12.5).

Criticality rating Medium because the web server does affect a mission-critical system in a single location. Score of 50. This rating will be used for 50 percent, or one-half, of the overall impact score (50 à— .50 = 25). Calculating the Impact and Priority (Example) (Cont.) The following formula can then be used to determine the impact: (Current effect rating à— .25) + (Projected effect rating à— .25) + (Criticality rating à— . à— .25) + (50 à— .25) + (50 à— ..5 + 12.5 + 25 Incident impact score = 40 Using a Generic Checklist Verify that an incident has occurred Determine the type of incident Determine the impact or potential impact of the incident Report the incident Acquire any available evidence on the incident Contain the incident Eradicate the incident Recover from the incident Document the incident Handling DoS Attack Incidents Containment Add filters at routers or firewalls to block the traffic based on the IP address, port, or protocol used in the attack Recovery Repair and test the affected system Contact the Internet service provider (ISP) Eradication Identify vulnerabilities and take steps to mitigate them Handling Malware Incidents Containment Identify infected systems Eradication Run full scans on systems Recovery Replace deleted or quarantined files needed for system operation Disconnect them from the network Determine why antivirus software didn’t detect the malware Remove all elements of the malware from the system Disinfect, quarantine, or delete infected files Verify the system is no longer infected Run another full scan before returning the system to operation Handling Unauthorized Access Incidents Containment Eradication Recovery Identify and isolate attacked system from the network Block all traffic at firewall; log attempts to connect Disable internal account (if source) and verify least privilege Identify weaknesses that allowed attack to succeed Verify system hardening Disable/delete addl accounts created during attack Resolve vulnerabilities Reconnect, verify, and test systems Consider adding monitoring, such as an IDS Handling Inappropriate Usage Incidents Containment Eradication Recovery Disable user’s account until management takes action Require specific user training before access is returned Document activity in employee’s record Enable account after appropriate action has been completed How Does a CIRT Plan Mitigate an Organization’s Risk? Quick and focused response to incidents Clearly defined roles and responsibilities Enhanced understanding of needed skills Enhanced ability to respond to threats and attacks Best Practices for Implementing a CIRT Plan Define a computer security incident Include policies in CIRT plan to guide members Provide training Develop CIRT checklists Subscribe to security notifications Summary Definition of a computer incident response team (CIRT) plan Purpose of a CIRT plan Elements of a CIRT plan How a CIRT plan can mitigate an organization’s risk Best practices for implementing a CIRT plan 10/11/

Paper For Above instruction

The increasingly sophisticated landscape of cybersecurity threats necessitates comprehensive strategies to protect organizational assets. Central to this effort is the implementation of a robust Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) plan, which serves as a vital mechanism for mitigating risks associated with digital threats. This paper examines the essential components of a CIRT plan, its purpose, and how it effectively reduces organizational vulnerabilities through structured response actions, defined roles, and best practices.

At its core, a CIRT is a dedicated team comprised of IT specialists, security professionals, legal advisors, human resources, and other relevant stakeholders tasked with responding promptly and effectively to security incidents. The CIRT plan is a formal document that delineates the response procedures and policies designed to handle various types of cyber incidents, such as denial-of-service attacks, malware infections, unauthorized access, and inappropriate usage. By clearly defining what constitutes an incident, the plan provides a framework for identifying, prioritizing, and managing security events.

The purpose of the CIRT plan extends beyond reactive measures; it proactively enhances an organization’s preparedness by enabling rapid response capabilities, minimizing damage, and preventing recurrence. It addresses the "five Ws": what incidents might occur, where they might happen, who is responsible for responding, when response actions should be initiated, and why certain procedures are necessary. Such comprehensive planning ensures that all team members understand their roles and responsibilities, which include developing incident response procedures, investigating incidents, collecting and protecting evidence, and communicating effectively during crises.

The effectiveness of a CIRT is largely dependent on well-defined elements such as team composition, policies, incident handling procedures, escalation protocols, and communication strategies. CIRT members typically include team leaders, security analysts, network administrators, legal counsel, and HR personnel, each accountable for specific tasks like incident investigation, containment, eradication, and recovery. Policies guide the team’s actions—for example, whether members are authorized to retaliate or escalate attacks lawfully. Incident handling procedures follow structured phases outlined by standards such as NIST SP 800-61, including detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery.

Handling different types of incidents involves distinct yet interconnected procedures. For example, in a denial-of-service (DoS) attack, the CIRT may implement network filters to block malicious traffic and coordinate with ISPs for mitigation. Malware incidents require isolation of infected systems, comprehensive scans, and removal of malicious elements. Unauthorized access cases involve identifying vulnerabilities, disabling compromised accounts, and restoring system integrity. Inappropriate usage incidents necessitate account deactivation and user retraining. When multiple components are affected, the root cause must be identified to prevent further propagation.

Incident escalation is a crucial aspect that allows the CIRT to respond proportionally based on severity. Initial detection may lead to activation of specific response procedures; however, if the incident escalates, full team activation and resource deployment are warranted. Effective communication, including setting up war rooms and employing communication devices, ensures coordination in high-stakes scenarios.

The impact of incidents is assessed using impact scores and priority rankings, allowing the CIRT to allocate resources efficiently. Standardized checklists guide the response process, helping verify incidents, determine their impact, contain the threats, and document actions for future learning. These checklists serve as vital tools to ensure critical steps are not overlooked and response actions are standardized.

Implementing a CIRT plan adheres to best practices such as defining clear policies, providing comprehensive training, developing detailed procedures, subscribing to security alerts, and conducting regular drills. Continuous education enhances the team’s ability to stay ahead of emerging threats, while real-time threat notifications allow for proactive defense. Regular review and improvement of the CIRT ensure the organization remains resilient against evolving cyber threats.

In conclusion, a well-structured CIRT plan is instrumental in mitigating organizational risk by enabling swift, coordinated, and well-informed responses to cyber incidents. Clear roles, comprehensive policies, and adherence to best practices empower organizations to protect their assets effectively. As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity, organizations must prioritize the development, maintenance, and refinement of their incident response capabilities to safeguard their operations and maintain stakeholder trust.

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