The Anatomy of Incident Response Part 2: Building a Robust Plan 

This is a companion blog to the “The SafeHouse” podcast dated December 13, 2024. In this  second part of a two-part series entitled ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦’ with Eder Ribeiro, Director of Global Incident Response at TransUnion, and host Jeff Edwards, Co-chair of the SafeHouse Initiative. Giving real-world examples of the consequences of not having an Incident Response Plan, Eder encourages both businesses and individuals to proactively address their cybersecurity vulnerabilities. He gives very practical guidance in laying out the crucial elements of an effective plan: risk analysis, resource allocation, stakeholder involvement, and regular plan testing through tabletop exercises. Listen to the original podcast here: https://safehouseinitiative.org/the-anatomy-of-incident-response-pt-2/ 

Understanding Your Risks 

Before developing an incident response plan, businesses must first understand their unique risks. Ribeiro emphasizes that organizations should not wait for an incident to occur before starting their planning. Instead, they should proactively assess their vulnerabilities. This involves asking critical questions: 

• What are my digital assets? 

• What risks do these assets pose? 

• How dependent is my business on these assets? 

By identifying these elements, businesses can create a prioritized list of risks, categorizing them from critical to low. This allows for a focused allocation of resources, ensuring that the most significant risks are addressed first. 

Creating an Incident Response Plan 

Once risks are identified, the next step is to build a comprehensive incident response plan. Ribeiro suggests that this plan should include: 

• A detailed risk analysis 

• Clear roles and responsibilities for team members 

• Contact information for key stakeholders, including IT and legal support 

• Procedures for managing incidents, including communication plans 

“Your plan needs to be a map that guides you through an incident,” Ribeiro says. It should not only outline who does what but also provide guidance on how to manage different scenarios effectively. 

Education and Training 

Education is a cornerstone of effective incident response. Ribeiro points out that many plans fail because employees are not familiar with them. Regular training exercises, such as tabletop exercises, can help ensure that everyone knows their roles and where to find the plan when needed. “You can’t have a single point of failure,” he warns. Establishing secondary contacts for each role in the plan is essential for continuity. 

Testing Your Plan 

To gauge the effectiveness of your incident response plan, regular testing is necessary. Ribeiro notes that many organizations conduct tabletop exercises to simulate cyber incidents. These exercises reveal gaps in the plan and help refine response strategies. “I can’t tell you how many times we test a plan and discover that no one knows where it is kept,” he shares, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and familiarity with the plan. 

Real-World Examples of Cyber Incidents 

Ribeiro provides a cautionary tale about a real estate broker who fell victim to a business email compromise. The broker’s email was hacked, and the attacker impersonated him to redirect a significant payment to a fraudulent account. “If that broker had a robust incident response plan, this situation could have potentially been avoided,” he reflects. This highlights the critical need for strong email security practices, such as multi-factor authentication and complex password management. 

Continuous Improvement 

After any incident, it’s vital to conduct a thorough review. Ribeiro emphasizes the importance of learning from each incident to improve future responses. This involves asking questions like: 

• What worked well in our response? 

• What could we improve for next time? 

By analyzing past incidents and adjusting the response plan accordingly, organizations can enhance their resilience against future threats. 

Conclusion 

Ultimately, an effective incident response plan is not just a document; it’s a living framework that evolves with the organization. The process of creating and refining this plan fosters a deeper understanding of the business’s operations and vulnerabilities. As Eder Ribeiro aptly puts it, “Cybersecurity is a part of everything you do.” By making cybersecurity a fundamental aspect of business operations, organizations can better prepare for and respond to cyber threats. 

For more information and resources, feel free to visit the SafeHouse Initiative website: https://safehouseinitiative.org/.