What Steps Should Be Taken When An Internal Anomaly Is Detec

What steps should be taken when an internal anomaly is detected in an organization

You have been hired as a security analyst and have been learning the organization’s infrastructure and architecture of Rasmussen Company for the past few months. Over the past two weeks, you have noticed an unusual anomaly within your data center. This anomaly happens around 1:00 am. You begin to check logs and you do not notice any occurrence from the outside. This anomaly is happening internally.

You do further investigation and check the badge logs to see who may have entered and accessed the system. You find that no employees have accessed per the logs. You approach your manager and begin to discuss your findings. You have learned that your boss and senior leadership have had some conflicts and there could be a potential rift among them. Your boss has been targeted by your competitor and you recently found out that the new cleaning crew was recommended by your boss and also does cleaning for the competitor.

What should you do? Explain the potential steps you would take based on the given information. Use three outside references to create a 3 page APA formatted assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

In today's increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape, internal anomalies within an organization’s data center must be addressed with a comprehensive and strategic approach. Such anomalies can indicate potential insider threats, sabotage, or covert infiltration, especially when external logs show no signs of intrusion. In the scenario involving Rasmussen Company, the discovery of a suspicious anomaly occurring internally at 1:00 am, coupled with unusual access patterns and personnel known to have ties with competitors, necessitates careful and immediate action to safeguard sensitive information and maintain organizational integrity.

The first step in response should be to conduct an immediate, thorough investigation into the anomaly. This includes analyzing system logs, access records, and network traffic data during the incident timeframe. Since no internal access was recorded via badge logs, it suggests either malicious insider activity or an external breach that bypassed conventional access controls. Security analysts should leverage Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to detect subtle malicious activities or anomalies in user behavior. Such tools can provide insights into which processes or network traffic patterns were active during the incident, potentially revealing malicious commands or data exfiltration attempts.

Furthermore, given the potential insider threat posed by employees or contracted personnel, it is essential to restrict access rights temporarily to contain the threat. This involves suspending or revoking access privileges of employees or contractors who might be involved, especially those with possible motives linked to the conflicts among senior leadership or connections to the competitor. Simultaneously, it is crucial to interview employees and contractors associated with the cleaning crew or other third parties to gather intelligence, verify their whereabouts, and determine if they could be involved in unauthorized activities.

In addition, the organization should strengthen internal controls by revisiting physical security protocols and ensuring that only authorized personnel are allowed entry into sensitive areas. This might include enhanced badge-access controls, security camera reviews, and biometric verification systems. The fact that a cleaning crew recommended by the boss also works for the competitor raises suspicions about potential insider collusion. Such information underscores the importance of conducting comprehensive background checks on all third-party vendors and employees with access to critical infrastructure.

Simultaneously, the organization should involve legal and senior management teams to evaluate the scope of the incident and determine if there is evidence of espionage or data theft. It is crucial to document findings meticulously to support any subsequent legal actions or internal disciplinary measures. Considering the presence of conflicts among senior leadership and the potential internal threat, a tailored internal investigation involving corporate security and forensic experts should be initiated. This investigation should include examining digital footprints, reviewing security camera footage, and analyzing communications for signs of collusion or malicious intent.

Finally, it is essential to develop and implement a comprehensive incident response plan tailored to internal threats. This plan should include procedures for containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. After containment, the organization should conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify security gaps that may have been exploited. Conducting regular audits, employee training, and awareness programs can also help prevent future incidents. The overall goal is to rebuild trust, enhance security measures, and ensure that sensitive data and infrastructure remain protected against insider threats and sabotage.

References

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