Incident Response Plan Template

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose

This Incident Response Plan defines the process for identifying, responding to, and recovering from security incidents at [ORGANIZATION NAME].

1.2 Scope

This plan applies to all information systems, networks, and data owned or managed by [ORGANIZATION NAME].

1.3 Definitions

  • Security Incident: An event that may compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information systems or data.
  • Data Breach: Unauthorized access to or disclosure of sensitive information.
  • Incident Response Team (IRT): The team responsible for executing this plan.

2. Incident Response Team

2.1 Team Structure

Role Name Contact Information Responsibilities
Incident Response Coordinator
Technical Lead
Security Analyst
Network Administrator
System Administrator
Legal Counsel
Communications Lead
Executive Sponsor

2.2 Contact Information

Emergency Contacts: - Incident Response Hotline: [PHONE NUMBER] - Incident Response Email: [EMAIL] - After-hours Contact: [PHONE NUMBER]

3. Incident Response Process

3.1 Preparation

Preventative Measures: - Security awareness training - Vulnerability management - Baseline security configurations - System hardening procedures - Regular security assessments

Preparation Activities: - Maintain and test incident response procedures - Conduct tabletop exercises - Establish communication channels - Prepare necessary tools and resources

3.2 Identification

Detection Sources: - Security monitoring systems - Intrusion detection/prevention systems - Antivirus/antimalware alerts - User reports - Third-party notifications

Initial Assessment: - Verify if event is a security incident - Determine initial scope and impact - Document initial findings - Assign initial severity level

Severity Levels: | Level | Description | Examples | Response Time | |——-|————-|———-|—————| | Critical | Severe impact on critical systems or data | Data breach, ransomware | Immediate | | High | Significant impact on important systems | Targeted attack, system compromise | < 1 hour | | Medium | Limited impact, isolated systems | Malware on non-critical system | < 4 hours | | Low | Minimal impact, easily contained | Policy violation, suspicious activity | < 24 hours |

3.3 Containment

Short-term Containment: - Isolate affected systems - Block malicious IP addresses - Disable compromised accounts - Preserve evidence

Long-term Containment: - Apply temporary fixes - Enhance monitoring - Implement additional security controls - Prepare for eradication

3.4 Eradication

Eradication Activities: - Identify and remove root cause - Scan for additional compromises - Patch vulnerabilities - Rebuild systems if necessary - Validate security posture

3.5 Recovery

Recovery Activities: - Restore systems from clean backups - Gradually restore operations - Implement additional security measures - Monitor for abnormal activity - Verify system functionality

Recovery Prioritization: | Priority | System Type | Recovery Time Objective | |———-|————-|————————-| | 1 | Mission-critical systems | < 4 hours | | 2 | Business-critical systems | < 24 hours | | 3 | Important systems | < 72 hours | | 4 | Non-critical systems | < 1 week |

3.6 Lessons Learned

Post-Incident Review: - Conduct post-incident meeting - Document incident timeline - Identify what worked well - Identify areas for improvement - Update incident response plan

4. Communication Plan

4.1 Internal Communication

Communication Protocols: - Initial notification procedures - Status update frequency - Escalation procedures - Communication methods

4.2 External Communication

Stakeholder Notification: - Customers - Partners - Regulators - Law enforcement

Media Communication: - Designated spokesperson - Approved messaging - Media response procedures

6. Incident Response Documentation

6.1 Incident Tracking

All incidents will be documented in the incident tracking system, including: - Incident ID - Date and time of detection - Nature of the incident - Systems/data affected - Actions taken - Resolution status - Lessons learned

6.2 Documentation Templates

  • Initial incident report
  • Incident log
  • Evidence chain of custody
  • Post-incident report

7. Testing and Maintenance

7.1 Plan Testing

  • Annual tabletop exercises
  • Biannual technical drills
  • Post-incident reviews

7.2 Plan Maintenance

  • Quarterly review of contact information
  • Annual comprehensive review
  • Update after significant incidents or changes

Appendices

Appendix A: Incident Response Workflow

[Insert incident response workflow diagram]

Appendix B: Incident Response Checklist

Appendix C: System Recovery Procedures

[Include specific recovery procedures for critical systems]

Appendix D: Evidence Collection Guidelines

[Include guidelines for proper evidence collection]

Document Control - Version: 1.0 - Last Updated: [DATE] - Approved By: [NAME/ROLE] - Next Review Date: [DATE]