Project Part 2 Task 4: Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT

Project Part 2 Task 4 Computer Incident Response Team Cirt Planby N

Create a Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) plan for Health Network, with the headquarters in Minneapolis handling all incidents. Incorporate previous work such as the risk assessment, risk mitigation plan, Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Business Continuity Plan (BCP), and Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). Ensure to include feedback from earlier submissions if applicable. The plan should outline roles, responsibilities, procedures, communication protocols, and escalation processes for managing security incidents. Develop a comprehensive, professional report that clearly details the steps the CIRT will follow when responding to various incident types, from detection and analysis to containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident review. Emphasize the importance of coordination among team members, stakeholders, and external agencies, and ensure that the plan adheres to relevant standards and best practices in cybersecurity incident response.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The increasing sophistication of cybersecurity threats and the potential damages caused by data breaches, system outages, and malicious attacks necessitate a well-structured and efficient Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT). The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive CIRT plan for Health Network, a healthcare organization with its headquarters in Minneapolis. The plan aims to establish clear procedures, roles, and communication channels to effectively detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents, aligning with prior risk assessments and business continuity strategies.

Background and Context

Health Network operates in a highly sensitive environment where the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of health information are critical. Previous assessments identified vulnerabilities and risks that threaten operational continuity and patient privacy. The CIRT plan builds upon these assessments and integrates policies from the organization's Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Business Continuity Plan (BCP), and Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). The centralization of incident management at the Minneapolis HQ ensures consistent response protocols and facilitates coordination across departments.

Roles and Responsibilities

The CIRT team will consist of trained cybersecurity professionals, IT staff, legal advisors, communications personnel, and management representatives. The team leader, typically the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), will oversee incident response activities, ensure timely coordination among team members, and serve as the primary communication point. Specific roles include:

- Incident Handler: Detects and analyzes security incidents, documents findings.

- Containment Specialist: Implements measures to prevent incident spread.

- Recovery Coordinator: Leads efforts to restore affected systems and services.

- Communication Officer: Manages internal and external communications, including notifications to stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

- Legal Advisor: Ensures compliance with legal requirements and manages legal implications.

Each member must understand their responsibilities and the procedures for escalation and collaboration, ensuring an efficient response process.

Incident Response Procedures

The incident response process comprises several phases:

1. Preparation: Maintain updated incident detection systems, conduct employee training, and develop communication protocols.

2. Identification: Use intrusion detection systems, logs, and user reports to recognize potential incidents promptly.

3. Containment: Short-term containment to limit the immediate impact, followed by long-term containment strategies to prevent recurrence.

4. Analysis: Determine the cause, scope, and impact of the incident through forensic analysis and logs review.

5. Eradication: Remove malicious artifacts, patch vulnerabilities, and strengthen defenses.

6. Recovery: Restore systems from backups, monitor for residual effects, and validate system integrity.

7. Post-Incident Review: Conduct debriefing meetings, document lessons learned, and update policies and procedures accordingly.

The plan emphasizes rapid response, thorough documentation, and continuous improvement.

Communication and Escalation Protocols

Effective communication is critical during incident management. The CIRT will establish clear channels for internal notifications, including secure messaging systems, incident reports, and email communication. External communications must be coordinated with senior management and legal counsel to ensure accurate messaging and regulatory compliance.

Escalation procedures specify thresholds for escalating incidents from initial detection to senior management review and external agencies, such as law enforcement or cybersecurity authorities, in cases involving data breaches or criminal activity.

Coordination with External Agencies and Stakeholders

The response plan includes partnerships with law enforcement, cybersecurity agencies, and third-party vendors. Formal agreements outline roles, responsibilities, and communication methods for collaborative response efforts. Stakeholders such as patients, partners, regulators, and the media will be informed through predetermined communication strategies to maintain transparency and trust.

Training and Testing

Regular training sessions ensure team members remain current on threat landscape, response techniques, and legal requirements. The plan will be tested through simulated exercises and tabletop scenarios to evaluate effectiveness, identify gaps, and improve response capabilities continuously.

Conclusion

A well-defined CIRT plan enhances Health Network’s resilience against cybersecurity threats, minimizes damages from incidents, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. By establishing clear roles, procedures, and communication protocols, the organization can respond swiftly and effectively to incidents, reducing downtime and protecting sensitive health information. Continuous training, testing, and updates to the plan are essential to adapt to evolving threats and maintain a robust security posture.

References

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• Westby, G. (2019). Building a Cybersecurity Incident Response Team. SANS Institute.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2020). Cyber Incident Response: A Guide for Organizations.
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• Stallings, W. (2020). Computer Security: Principles and Practice (4th ed.). Pearson.
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