Incident Response
Incident response is the structured process an organization uses to detect, contain, investigate, and recover from cyber incidents, minimizing operational and financial impact while preserving evidence for legal, regulatory, and analytical purposes.
The Standard Incident Response Lifecycle
Most frameworks describe an equivalent lifecycle: preparation before incidents (playbooks, tools, training), detection and analysis when incidents occur, containment to limit the spread, eradication of the threat, recovery of affected systems, and post-incident review to feed improvements back into the program.
NIST SP 800-61 is the widely referenced framework. SANS and ISO 27035 provide equivalent structures. All share the same underlying phases with minor terminological differences.
Why Incident Response Effectiveness Is Financial
The same underlying incident can produce very different losses depending on response quality. Fast containment limits lateral movement. Effective communication reduces reputational damage. Prompt regulatory notification avoids compounding fines. Well-executed response can reduce loss magnitude substantially.
Quantified programs model this effect directly. Response capability shows up as a driver of severity in the loss distribution, not just as a compliance activity.
Incident Response and Regulatory Deadlines
Modern regulations have accelerated notification timelines. GDPR requires 72-hour supervisory authority notification. The SEC Cyber Disclosure Rule requires four-business-day disclosure of material incidents. DORA requires initial incident reports within four hours of classification. Incident response programs need to be built for these timelines rather than adapted after the fact.
Related Terms
Turn Cyber Risk Into Financial Exposure the Board Can Act On
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