Please Read And Review The Following Article And Video ✓ Solved

Please Read And Review The Following Article And Videoarticle Readcr

Please read and review the following article and video: Article: Read CREST “Cyber Security Incident Response Guide†(Links to an external site.) 2014 Cyber Security Session 24 - Cyber Security Incident Response (Links to an external site.) Using what you have learned about Cyber Security Incident Response from the assigned reading, video, and report, think about the following Lockheed-Martin’s Cyber Kill Chain: Reconnaissance Weaponization Delivery Exploitation Installation Command and Control (C2) Actions on Objectives Your assignment is as follows: Define and discuss the three steps to Cyber Security Incident Response. Research recent cyber breaches and discuss the cyber “kill” chain for one of the breaches. For the company involved in step 2, make at least three (3) recommendations to senior leadership that could avoid breaches in the future. Feel free to use the Cyber Threat Intelligence and Incident Response Report template (Links to an external site.) for your assignment.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Cyber Security Incident Response and the Kill Chain Analysis

In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, organizations must adopt comprehensive incident response strategies to effectively address and mitigate cyber threats. The process of cyber incident response involves multiple stages designed to prepare, detect, contain, eradicate, and recover from security incidents. This paper explores the three fundamental steps of cybersecurity incident response, analyzes a recent cyber breach through the lens of the Cyber Kill Chain framework, and provides recommendations to prevent future incidents, particularly focusing on the step involving threat detection and response.

Three Steps of Cyber Security Incident Response

The incident response process is traditionally classified into three essential phases: Preparation, Detection and Analysis, and Containment, Eradication, and Recovery.

1. Preparation

This initial phase involves establishing and training an incident response team, developing comprehensive incident response plans, and deploying necessary security technologies. Effective preparation ensures that the organization can respond swiftly and efficiently once an incident occurs. It encompasses activities such as regular security audits, employee training, and maintaining incident response playbooks tailored to specific threats.

2. Detection and Analysis

The second phase focuses on identifying potential security incidents through monitoring and analyzing security alerts and anomalies. This step requires sophisticated detection tools like intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and continuous network monitoring. Once a potential threat is identified, detailed analysis is necessary to determine the scope, impact, and severity of the incident to inform appropriate response actions.

3. Containment, Eradication, and Recovery

In the final phase, organizations aim to contain the incident to prevent further damage, eradicate malicious elements, and recover affected systems to normal operation. Effective containment limits the spread of the attack, while eradication involves removing malicious code or actors. Recovery involves restoring data from backups, applying patches, and validating the integrity of affected systems. Post-incident analysis is also performed to learn from the event and improve future response strategies.

Recent Cyber Breach and the Kill Chain Analysis

One notable recent cyber breach involved the SolarWinds supply chain attack discovered in late 2020. The attack targeted multiple government agencies and private enterprises, exploiting the supply chain to infiltrate organizations. Using the Cyber Kill Chain framework, this breach can be dissected as follows:

• Reconnaissance: The attackers conducted detailed research on SolarWinds’ infrastructure and their clients to identify vulnerabilities.
• Weaponization: Malicious code was embedded within legitimate software updates delivered via SolarWinds’ Orion platform.
• Delivery: The malicious updates were delivered to thousands of customers through routine software updates.
• Exploitation: Once installed, the malware exploited the trusted relationship between SolarWinds and its clients to create backdoors.
• Installation: The malicious code was installed within the systems, often operating stealthily.
• Command and Control (C2): The malware established communication channels with attacker-controlled servers.
• Actions on Objectives: The attackers moved laterally across networks, exfiltrating sensitive data and gaining persistent access.

Recommendations for Step 2 (Detection and Analysis)

For the company involved in the delivery phase, particularly SolarWinds in this case, the following recommendations aim to enhance detection and analysis capabilities, thereby reducing the likelihood and impact of future breaches:

1. Implement Advanced Threat Detection Tools: Deploy behavioral analytics and machine learning-enabled solutions that can detect anomalies indicative of malicious activity, even if signatures are unknown or updated (Cheng et al., 2020).
2. Enhance Monitoring of Supply Chain Activities: Conduct continuous monitoring of software updates and integrate code integrity checks, including digital signatures, to verify authenticity (Kim & Laskey, 2019).
3. Conduct Regular Threat Intelligence Sharing: Participate in industry information sharing and threat intelligence platforms to stay updated on emerging threats targeting supply chain vulnerabilities and adapt defenses accordingly (Gartner, 2021).

Conclusion

Effective cyber incident response is critical in responding to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By understanding and implementing the three fundamental steps—Preparation, Detection and Analysis, and Containment, Eradication, and Recovery—organizations can improve resilience and reduce damage from cyber incidents. Analyzing recent breaches like the SolarWinds attack through the Kill Chain framework highlights areas where organizations must strengthen their defenses, especially in detection and analysis, to prevent future exploits.

References

• Cheng, S., Huang, W., & Wang, J. (2020). Behavioral analytics for intrusion detection systems. Journal of Cybersecurity, 6(2), 45-58.
• Gartner. (2021). Cyber threat intelligence sharing best practices. Gartner Research Reports.
• Kim, M., & Laskey, K. (2019). Supply chain security and integrity. International Journal of Information Security, 18(3), 245-259.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2018). Computer Security Incident Handling Guide (Special Publication 800-61r2).
• Santos, M., & Almeida, J. (2022). The evolution of cyber threat detection. Cybersecurity Journal, 12(1), 78-94.
• Sharma, R., & Verma, P. (2020). Machine learning approaches for cyber anomaly detection. IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, 31(5), 1651-1662.
• Smith, A., & Johnson, L. (2019). Incident response planning in modern cybersecurity. Journal of Information Security, 10(4), 233-245.
• United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2020). Cyber Incident Response Guide.
• Williams, R., & Zhang, T. (2018). Enhancing cybersecurity through threat intelligence sharing. Security Journal, 31(4), 1231-1244.
• Zhao, Y., & Chen, H. (2021). Defense techniques against supply chain cyberattacks. International Journal of Cyber Security, 13(2), 75-89.