Overview of the Incident Management Policy
The Incident Management Policy is designed to offer organization-wide guidance to employees on the appropriate response to, and efficient and timely reporting of, computer security-related incidents. This includes handling computer viruses, unauthorized user activity, and suspected data compromises. The policy ensures that all personnel are prepared to act swiftly and effectively in the event of a security breach, minimizing potential damage and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.
Key Points of the Incident Management Policy
The following numbered list outlines the key points of the Incident Management Policy, based on the table of contents provided:
Program Establishment A formal program must be documented to manage security incidents effectively.
Relevant Incident Types The program should prepare for various types of security incidents.
Program Definition The program must clearly define its purpose, scope, roles, responsibilities, and compliance requirements.
Control Elements Specific and relevant control elements must be included in the program's management.
Incident Response Plan A detailed plan must be documented, outlining the incident response process and roles.
Incident Response Resource An appointed resource must coordinate incident responses and direct necessary actions.
Incident Reporting The program must include a process for reporting incidents internally and externally.
Contact Information Contact details for reporting incidents must be accessible to all relevant parties.
Time Requirements Timeframes for reporting incidents must be clearly defined.
Computer and Network Security Assignment Individuals must be assigned to handle security incidents.
Incident Handling Capabilities The program must implement capabilities for handling incidents, including defined roles and procedures.
Coordination with Contingency Planning Incident handling must be coordinated with contingency planning efforts.
Insider Threats The program must address and include a plan for handling insider threats.
Plan Communication The response plan must be communicated to all relevant individuals.
Plan Review The program and plan must be reviewed annually or when new risks emerge.
Incident Response Training Mandatory training must be provided to all relevant parties on their reporting responsibilities.
Reporting and Communication
Effective communication is vital during and after a security incident. The policy outlines the following:
Point of Contact A designated individual must be responsible for reporting security events.
Third-Party Contacts A list of third-party contacts for reporting incidents must be maintained.
Anonymous Reporting There must be a process for anonymously reporting security incidents.
IDS and IPS Alerts Intrusion detection and prevention systems must be used to identify security events.
Duress Alarm A duress alarm system must be in place for individuals to signal for help.
Outside Reporting Incidents must be reported to appropriate authorities and external parties.
Breach Reporting Data breaches must be reported as required by law, such as the HITECH Act.
Breach Reporting Timing Reports must be made promptly, within legally mandated timeframes.
Unauthorized Disclosures Unauthorized disclosures must be logged and reported annually.
Investigation and Sanction
Investigating security incidents and applying sanctions when necessary are crucial for maintaining accountability:
Information Asset Approval Management must approve the use of information assets.
Individual Accountability Individuals must be held accountable for actions under their electronic signatures.
Federal or State Cooperation Cooperation with investigations is mandatory.
Disciplinary Actions Disciplinary actions must be taken against non-cooperative workforce members.
Human Resources Contact A designated HR contact must handle security incidents.
Security Incident Investigation All incidents must be thoroughly investigated and documented.
Sanctions Sanctions must be considered and applied fairly following policy violations.
Employees Involved in Security Incidents A record of employees involved in incidents must be maintained.
Testing and Monitoring
Regular testing and monitoring are essential to ensure the effectiveness of the incident response:
Incident Response Testing The response capabilities must be tested annually.
Response Effectiveness Testing must evaluate the overall effectiveness of the response program.
Incident Handling Team The handling team must be included in testing to ensure they understand their responsibilities.
Incident Review Security incidents must be reviewed to identify necessary security control improvements.
Incident Review Results Review results must be used to update the response program and strategy.
Lessons Learned Documented lessons must be incorporated into the response program and training exercises.
In conclusion, an Incident Management Policy is a vital tool for any organization to manage and mitigate the impact of security incidents. It provides a structured approach to incident response, ensuring that all employees are prepared to act appropriately when a security breach occurs. If you're looking to implement or update your organization's Incident Management Policy, we have a template available for purchase that can help streamline the process.
