Written with contributions from Bryon Singh, Director of Security Operations, RailWorks Corporation
In today’s digital age, where cyberthreats are constantly evolving, establishing and maintaining an enterprise process for the workforce to report security incidents is crucial. A streamlined and well-publicized process ensures that incidents are reported promptly and accurately, allowing the organization to respond swiftly and mitigate potential damage. This blog outlines the key components of an effective incident reporting process, using engaging references from popular culture to illustrate these concepts.
The Importance of Reporting Security Incidents
In the same way that the Ghostbusters respond to supernatural threats by having a clear process, your organization must have a well-defined process for reporting security incidents. This process ensures that incidents are managed efficiently and that the right people are informed in a timely manner.
Key Components of the Incident Reporting Process
- Reporting Timeframe: Imagine the urgency displayed in "The Avengers" when the team assembles to address immediate threats. Similarly, reporting security incidents promptly is crucial. Establish a timeframe for reporting incidents to ensure swift action.
Guideline: All security incidents should be reported within one hour of discovery. This prompt reporting allows for immediate investigation and response, minimizing potential damage.
- Personnel to Report To: In "Harry Potter," when the characters encounter dark magic, they report it to the appropriate authorities like Dumbledore or the Ministry of Magic. Similarly, your organization should have designated personnel to whom incidents should be reported.
Guideline: Employees should report incidents to their immediate supervisor, who will then escalate the issue to the IT security team or the designated incident response team.
- Mechanism for Reporting:- Just as the characters in "Star Wars" use various communication channels to coordinate their efforts against the Empire, your organization should provide multiple mechanisms for reporting incidents.
Guideline: Establish various reporting channels, such as:
- Email: A dedicated email address for reporting incidents (e.g., security@yourcompany.com)
- Phone: A hotline for urgent incidents
- Incident Reporting Portal: An online form accessible through the company’s intranet
- Minimum Information to be Reported: In "Jurassic Park," detailed and accurate reporting of system failures and anomalies are crucial for understanding and addressing threats. Similarly, clear and concise information is essential when reporting security incidents.
Guideline: Ensure that the following minimum information is included in the report:
- Description of the Incident: What happened and how it was discovered
- Date and Time: When the incident occurred and when it was discovered
- Location: Where the incident took place (e.g., specific department, office location)
- Affected Systems: Which systems or data were impacted
- Immediate Actions Taken: Any steps already taken to mitigate the incident
- Reporter’s Contact Information: Name, department, and contact details of the person reporting the incident
Making the Process Publicly Available
In "The Lord of the Rings," the Fellowship relies on clear and accessible communication to coordinate their journey. Similarly, your incident reporting process should be easily accessible to all employees.
Guideline: Ensure the reporting process is documented and available on the company intranet, employee handbooks, and through regular training sessions. Remind employees periodically about the importance of reporting and how to do so.
Annual Review and Updates
Just as the Night’s Watch in "Game of Thrones" regularly reviews their defenses to adapt to new threats, your organization should review and update the incident reporting process annually or when significant changes occur.
Guideline: Schedule an annual review of the reporting process, incorporating feedback from employees and lessons learned from past incidents. Update the process as needed to address new threats or organizational changes.
Practical Steps for Implementation
- Document the Process: Create a detailed document outlining the reporting timeframe, designated personnel, reporting mechanisms, and required information. Ensure it is easily accessible to all employees.
- Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees about the importance of incident reporting and how to follow the established process. Use real-life examples and pop culture references to make the training engaging.
- Regular Reminders: Periodically remind employees about the reporting process through emails, intranet posts, and meetings.
- Feedback Mechanism: Establish a mechanism for employees to provide feedback on the reporting process, helping to identify areas for improvement.
Establishing and maintaining an effective process for reporting security incidents is essential for any organization. By ensuring prompt reporting, designating the right personnel, providing clear reporting mechanisms, and requiring detailed information, you can enhance your organization’s ability to respond to security incidents efficiently. Drawing parallels to popular culture can make these concepts more relatable and engaging for your workforce.
Start implementing your incident reporting process today and ensure your enterprise is prepared to handle any security incidents swiftly and effectively.
Here’s a link to the Incident Response Policy Template provided free of charge from the fine folks at the Center for Internet Security: https://www.cisecurity.org/insights/white-papers/incident-response-policy-template-for-cis-control-17
Here’s some detail on this specific Control/Safeguard. If you want more detail, DM me.
CIS Control 17 – Incident Response Management
Establish a program to develop and maintain an incident response capability (e.g., policies, plans, procedures, defined roles, training, and communications) to prepare, detect, and quickly respond to an attack.
Implementation Group 1
CIS Safeguard 17.3 - Establish and Maintain an Enterprise Process for Reporting Incidents
Establish and maintain an enterprise process for the workforce to report security incidents. The process includes reporting timeframe, personnel to report to, mechanism for reporting, and the minimum information to be reported. Ensure the process is publicly available to all of the workforce. Review annually, or when significant enterprise changes occur that could impact this Safeguard.