How NIST Can Inform Your Incident Response Plan

If you feel that your business may be unprepared in the event of a cyber incident, you’re not alone. Considering that cyber attacks are becoming both more frequent and more costly, it’s in your best interest to create an incident response plan. This plan will make sure that your business is prepared in the event of an attack, and can help you save money and protect your data.

When creating your incident response plan, it can be helpful to follow the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). In this blog, we’ll explore how NIST CSF can inform and support the development of your business’s plan.

What Is an Incident Response Plan and Why Is It Important?

An incident response plan is a set of processes and procedures that an organization develops and implements to detect, respond, and recover from a cybersecurity incident. Businesses need to have this plan in place as it not only helps them prepare for potential security incidents, but also outlines the steps needed to mitigate any loss associated with an attack.

This is where NIST comes in. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a set of best practices and guidelines designed to help organizations protect their information systems. The framework provides an overarching structure for developing, implementing, and managing security policies, processes, and procedures.

It includes comprehensive guidance if an attack occurs, which makes it an invaluable resource for organizations looking to create a comprehensive incident response plan.

The Elements Your Plan Should Have

When developing your plan based on the NIST framework, these are the key elements you’ll want to include. 

Planning

Developing an incident response plan should be seen as an ongoing process. You’ll want to ensure that it is frequently updated and that there are clear roles and responsibilities outlined for all of the parties involved in responding to a cyber incident.

Frequent Updates

You’ll also want to make sure that your plan is updated regularly. This will ensure that the plan stays up-to-date, and is reflective of any changes in technology or business operations. Because of the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats, it’s important to have a plan that can quickly adapt and respond.

Detection and Containment

Your response plan should also include processes for early detection and containment of security incidents. This will allow you to identify suspicious activity as soon as possible, and take steps to limit any potential damage or data loss.

Response and Recovery

Your developed plan should include strategies for responding to and recovering from a cyber incident. This should include steps for containing the attack, assessing the damage caused, and restoring any damaged systems or data.

Upgrade Your Incident Response Plan with Envision Consulting

At Envision Consulting, our team of experts can help you create a response plan that meets the needs of your business. With our support, you’ll be able to ensure that your organization is prepared for potential cyberattacks and can quickly respond in the event of an incident.

If you’re looking to create an effective plan for your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our team is ready to help you create a plan that meets your needs and provides the highest level of protection for your data.

Set up a meeting with us today to learn more about how we can help develop your business response plan.