INCIDENT

RESPONSE
PLAN
WORKFLOW
WITH
EXAMPLES AND
SIMULATIONS
BY IZZMIER IZZUDDIN
INCIDENT RESPONSE WORKFLOW
BREAKDOWN OF INCIDENT RESPONSE WORKFLOW

1. PREPARATION

• Policy Development and Communication

o Define and communicate the incident response policy.
o Identify and assign roles and responsibilities.
o Ensure organisational support for incident response activities.
• Incident Response Plan Development
o Develop and maintain an incident response plan.
o Include contact information for key personnel and external parties.
• Training and Awareness
o Conduct regular training and awareness programs for employees.
o Simulate incident response scenarios to test readiness.
• Tools and Resources
o Ensure availability of necessary tools and resources (e.g., SIEM systems,
forensic tools).
o Keep an updated inventory of hardware and software.
• Threat Intelligence
o Subscribe to threat intelligence feeds.
o Integrate threat intelligence into detection mechanisms.

2. DETECTION

SIEM Alert Generation

• Event Collection
o Collect logs and events from various sources (firewalls, IDS/IPS,
endpoints, applications, etc.).
o Ensure logs are timestamped and stored in a centralised location for
correlation and analysis.
• Alert Generation
o Correlate events using predefined rules and anomaly detection
techniques.
o Generate an alert when a rule is triggered or an anomaly is detected.

Initial Alert Triage

• Alert Prioritisation
o Assess the severity and priority of the alert based on predefined criteria
(e.g., asset value, threat intelligence).
o Filter out false positives and benign events.
• Alert Enrichment
o Enrich the alert with additional context (e.g., threat intelligence, asset
details, user information).
o Utilize automated tools to gather relevant information.
Initial Analysis

• Incident Validation
o Validate the alert to confirm if it indicates a genuine incident.
o Investigate the source and nature of the alert.
• Scope Determination
o Determine the scope and impact of the potential incident.
o Identify affected systems, users, and data.

Detailed Triage

• Data Collection
o Collect additional data from affected systems (e.g., logs, network traffic
captures, endpoint data).
o Use forensic tools to gather evidence.
• Technical Analysis
o Perform a detailed technical analysis to understand the attack vector and
tactics used.
o Identify indicators of compromise (IOCs) and indicators of attack (IOAs).
• Threat Intelligence Correlation
o Correlate findings with threat intelligence to understand the threat actor's
tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
o Check for known vulnerabilities or exploits associated with the alert.

Incident Classification

• Severity Assessment
o Assess the severity of the incident based on its potential impact and
scope.
o Classify the incident (e.g., low, medium, high severity).
• Notification
o Notify relevant stakeholders (e.g., incident response team, management)
based on the incident classification.
o Follow communication protocols for internal and external notifications.

3. ANALYSIS

In-Depth Analysis

• Detailed Incident Examination

o Conduct a thorough examination of the incident to understand its full
scope.
o Analyse the compromised systems, affected networks, and any involved
applications.
• Malware Analysis (if applicable)
o Isolate and analyse any malware discovered.
o Reverse engineer malware to understand its behaviour and objectives.
 • Network Traffic Analysis
o Analyse network traffic to identify abnormal patterns and
communications.
o Use tools like Wireshark to capture and inspect network packets.
• Log Analysis
o Examine system, application, and security logs for signs of compromise.
o Correlate logs from different sources to trace the attack path.

Identification of Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

• IOC Extraction
o Identify and extract IOCs such as IP addresses, domain names, file
hashes, and registry changes.
o Use threat intelligence feeds to enrich and validate IOCs.
• IOC Sharing
o Share IOCs with internal and external stakeholders for proactive defence.
o Update detection mechanisms with newly identified IOCs.

Impact Assessment

• Data Exfiltration Analysis

o Determine if sensitive data was exfiltrated.
o Identify the volume and types of data affected.
• Business Impact Analysis
o Assess the impact on business operations and processes.
o Quantify potential financial, reputational, and regulatory impacts.

Attack Vector Analysis

• Root Cause Identification

o Identify the initial attack vector (e.g., phishing email, vulnerability
exploitation).
o Understand how the attacker gained access and moved laterally within
the network.
• Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) Analysis
o Analyse the attacker’s TTPs to understand their behaviour and goals.
o Map TTPs to frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK.

Evidence Preservation

• Forensic Evidence Collection

o Collect and preserve digital evidence following legal and organisational
procedures.
o Ensure the integrity and chain of custody of the evidence.
• Documentation
o Document all findings, analysis steps, and evidence collected.
o Maintain a detailed timeline of the incident and response actions.
Report Preparation

• Detailed Incident Report

o Prepare a comprehensive report detailing the incident, analysis, findings,
and recommendations.
o Include technical details, impact assessment, and remediation steps.
• Executive Summary
o Create an executive summary for senior management, highlighting key
points and business impacts.
o Provide actionable recommendations for improving security posture.

4. CONTAINMENT & ERADICATION

Containment

Short-Term Containment

• Isolate Affected Systems

o Disconnect affected systems from the network to prevent further spread.
o Apply network segmentation to isolate compromised segments.
• Block Malicious Traffic
o Implement firewall rules and access control lists (ACLs) to block
malicious IP addresses and domains.
o Use intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to block malicious traffic in real-
time.
• Disable Compromised Accounts
o Disable user accounts and credentials that have been compromised.
o Reset passwords for affected accounts and enforce strong password
policies.
• Apply Temporary Fixes
o Apply temporary patches or configurations to mitigate the immediate
threat.
o Monitor the effectiveness of these measures.

System Backups

• Verify Backup Integrity

o Ensure backups are recent and not compromised.
o Validate the integrity of backups before restoration.
• Create Additional Backups
o Take additional backups of affected systems, ensuring they are stored
securely.
o Document the backup process and locations.

Long-Term Containment

• Implement Long-Term Solutions

 o Develop and implement more permanent fixes for vulnerabilities and
weaknesses.
o Conduct thorough testing to ensure the effectiveness of long-term
solutions.
• Monitor Affected Systems
o Continuously monitor isolated systems for signs of further compromise.
o Adjust containment measures as necessary based on monitoring results.

Eradication

Root Cause Analysis

• Identify Root Cause

o Conduct a thorough investigation to identify the root cause of the
incident.
o Analyse attack vectors, vulnerabilities exploited, and methods used by
the attacker.
• Forensic Analysis
o Perform forensic analysis on affected systems to gather detailed
evidence.
o Use tools and techniques to analyse memory dumps, disk images, and
logs.

Remove Malicious Artifacts

• Malware Removal
o Use anti-malware tools to scan and remove any detected malware.
o Manually remove persistent threats and backdoors that automated tools
might miss.
• System Cleaning
o Clean and sanitize affected systems to remove all traces of the attack.
o Ensure all compromised files and configurations are restored to a known
good state.

Vulnerability Remediation

• Patch Management
o Apply security patches and updates to all affected systems.
o Ensure all software and firmware are up-to-date.
• Configuration Hardening
o Review and harden system configurations to prevent future attacks.
o Implement security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Access Control Review
o Review and adjust access controls to minimize the risk of unauthorised
access.
o Implement least privilege principles and regularly review permissions.
Validation and Testing

• System Validation
o Validate the integrity and functionality of cleaned systems.
o Conduct thorough testing to ensure systems are fully operational and
secure.
• Penetration Testing
o Perform penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of remediation
measures.
o Identify any remaining vulnerabilities or weaknesses.

5. RECOVERY

System Restoration

• Restore from Backups

o Restore affected systems from verified, clean backups.
o Ensure that backups used for restoration are up-to-date and
uncompromised.
• System Reinstallation
o Reinstall operating systems and applications on affected systems if
backups are not available.
o Configure systems to meet security standards and organisational
policies.
• Configuration Restoration
o Restore configurations to a known good state.
o Apply security hardening measures to prevent future incidents.

Validation and Testing

• Functional Testing
o Test restored systems to ensure they are fully functional.
o Verify that all business-critical applications and services are operating
correctly.
• Security Testing
o Conduct vulnerability scans and penetration tests on restored systems.
o Ensure that all identified vulnerabilities have been addressed.

Monitoring

• Enhanced Monitoring
o Implement enhanced monitoring on restored systems to detect any signs
of residual compromise.
o Use SIEM tools to continuously monitor logs and events.
• Anomaly Detection
o Configure anomaly detection rules to identify unusual activity.
o Investigate any suspicious behaviour promptly.
User Communication

• User Notification
o Inform users about the recovery process and any changes that have been
made.
o Provide clear instructions on any actions users need to take.
• Training and Awareness
o Conduct training sessions to educate users about the incident and
preventive measures.
o Emphasize the importance of security best practices.

Incident Documentation

• Incident Summary Report

o Prepare a summary report detailing the incident, response actions, and
recovery process.
o Include key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Lessons Learned Review
o Conduct a post-incident review to identify areas for improvement.
o Update incident response plans and procedures based on lessons
learned.

6. POST-INCIDENT

Incident Review

• Debriefing Session
o Conduct a debriefing session with the incident response team and
relevant stakeholders.
o Review the incident timeline, response actions, and decision-making
processes.
• Root Cause Analysis Review
o Re-examine the root cause analysis to ensure that all contributing factors
have been identified.
o Discuss any gaps or issues that were discovered during the response.

Documentation and Reporting

• Comprehensive Incident Report

o Compile a detailed report that includes the incident summary, impact
assessment, root cause analysis, and actions taken.
o Document all findings, evidence collected, and steps followed during the
response.
• Compliance Reporting
o Prepare and submit any necessary reports to regulatory bodies or
industry compliance organisations.
 o Ensure that the incident documentation meets any legal or regulatory
requirements.

Lessons Learned

• Identify Lessons Learned

o Identify what worked well and what didn’t during the incident response.
o Gather feedback from all participants to understand their perspectives.
• Update Policies and Procedures
o Revise incident response policies, procedures, and playbooks based on
lessons learned.
o Ensure that all changes are documented and communicated to relevant
teams.

Preventive Measures

• Implement Improvements
o Implement technical and procedural improvements to address identified
weaknesses.
o Apply additional security measures, such as enhanced monitoring, new
security controls, or updated configurations.
• Employee Training and Awareness
o Conduct training sessions for employees to reinforce security best
practices.
o Raise awareness about the incident and preventive measures to avoid
future occurrences.

Follow-Up Actions

• Continuous Monitoring
o Monitor the environment for any signs of recurring or related incidents.
o Ensure that enhanced monitoring tools and processes are in place and
functioning correctly.
• Review of Response Capabilities
o Assess the effectiveness of the incident response team and their
capabilities.
o Provide additional training or resources if needed to enhance the team's
readiness for future incidents.
EXAMPLES AND SIMULATIONS

Scenario 1: Brute-Force Attack Detected on Web Server

Alert Details:

• Alert Name: Brute-Force Attack Detected

• Source: SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) System
• Time of Alert: 7 August 2024, 10:30 AM
• Affected System: Web Server (IP: 192.168.1.10)
• Description: Multiple failed login attempts detected on the web server.

Incident Response Analysis

1. Preparation

• Policy Development And Communication

o Ensure policies for account lockout thresholds and SSH configurations
are in place.
• Incident Response Plan Development
o Have a clear plan for handling brute-force attacks.
• Training And Awareness
o Train staff on identifying and responding to brute-force attacks.
• Tools And Resources
o Ensure tools like SIEM and firewall rules are configured and ready.
• Threat Intelligence
o Keep updated on common brute-force attack patterns and sources.

2. Detection

Alert Received:

• Time: 7 August 2024, 10:30 AM

• SIEM Alert: Brute-Force Attack Detected on Web Server (IP: 192.168.1.10)
• Details: The SIEM system has detected 1000 failed login attempts in the last 10
minutes from the IP address 203.0.113.50.

3. Analysis
Initial Triage:

• Analyst: SOC Analyst

• Actions:
1. Verify Alert:
§ Check the logs on the SIEM system to confirm the alert.
§ Verify the number of failed login attempts and the source IP.
2. Assess Impact:
§ Determine if the attack is ongoing.
§ Check if there were any successful login attempts.
3. Notify:
§ Inform the Incident Response (IR) team and relevant stakeholders
about the detected brute-force attack.

Log:

Aug 07 10:20:15 webserver sshd[1234]: Failed password for invalid user admin from
203.0.113.50 port 54321 ssh2
Aug 07 10:20:17 webserver sshd[1235]: Failed password for invalid user root from
203.0.113.50 port 54322 ssh2
...
Aug 07 10:30:05 webserver sshd[2234]: Failed password for invalid user test from
203.0.113.50 port 55432 ssh2

4. Containment and Eradication

Short-Term Containment:

• Actions:
1. Isolate Source IP:
§ Block the source IP address (203.0.113.50) on the firewall to
prevent further attempts.
§ Verify that the block is successfully applied.
2. Disable Affected Accounts:
 § Disable any accounts that showed suspicious activity (e.g., admin,
root).
3. Enable Rate Limiting:
§ Apply rate limiting on login attempts to mitigate further brute-force
attacks.

Firewall Rule:

iptables -A INPUT -s 203.0.113.50 -j DROP

Eradication:

• Root Cause Analysis:

1. Identify Vulnerabilities:
§ Check for any misconfigurations or vulnerabilities that allowed the
brute-force attack.
§ Ensure that SSH access requires strong, unique passwords or SSH
keys.
2. Patch and Update:
§ Apply any necessary patches to the web server software.
§ Update the SSH configuration to enforce stronger security
measures.

Configuration Hardening:

PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication no
AllowUsers specificuser

5. Recovery

System Restoration:

• Actions:
1. Restore from Backup:
§ If necessary, restore the web server from a known good backup.
2. Revalidate Configurations:
§ Ensure that all security configurations and hardening measures
are applied.
§ Test the functionality of the web server to ensure it is operating
correctly.
Validation and Testing:

• Functional Testing:
o Ensure the web server is functioning correctly and that all services are
operational.
• Security Testing:
o Conduct vulnerability scans to verify that the brute-force attack vector
has been closed.
o Perform penetration testing to ensure there are no remaining
vulnerabilities.

6. Post-Incident Review

Incident Review:

• Debriefing Session:
o Conduct a debriefing session with the incident response team and
relevant stakeholders.
o Review the incident timeline, response actions, and decision-making
processes.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Comprehensive Incident Report:

o Prepare a detailed report including:
§ Incident summary and timeline
§ Impact assessment
§ Root cause analysis and attack vector
§ Response actions and remediation steps
§ Findings and evidence collected

Incident Summary Report:

Incident Summary:
- Date: 7 August 2024
- Alert: Brute-Force Attack Detected on Web Server
- Source IP: 203.0.113.50
- Affected System: Web Server (IP: 192.168.1.10)
- Response Actions: Blocked source IP, disabled affected accounts, applied rate
limiting, hardened configurations
- Impact: No successful logins detected, no data exfiltration observed

Root Cause Analysis:

- The attacker exploited weak SSH login configurations.
- The web server allowed multiple failed login attempts without rate limiting.

Remediation Steps:
- Blocked the attacking IP address.
- Applied strong SSH configurations.
- Enforced the use of SSH keys for authentication.
- Conducted a full security review of the web server configurations.

Lessons Learned:
- Importance of implementing rate limiting for login attempts.
- Regular review and hardening of SSH configurations.
- Continuous monitoring and alerting for failed login attempts.

Recommendations:
- Regular security training for administrators.
- Implementation of multi-factor authentication for sensitive accounts.
- Periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Lessons Learned:

• Identify Lessons Learned:

o Discuss what worked well and what didn’t during the incident response.
o Gather feedback from all participants to understand their perspectives.
• Update Policies and Procedures:
o Revise incident response policies and playbooks based on the lessons
learned.
o Ensure all changes are documented and communicated to relevant
teams.

Preventive Measures:

• Implement Improvements:
o Apply technical and procedural improvements to address identified
weaknesses.
o Enhance security measures, such as improved monitoring and new
security controls.
• Employee Training and Awareness:
o Conduct training sessions for administrators on secure SSH
configurations and best practices.
o Raise awareness about the importance of monitoring and responding to
security alerts.

Follow-Up Actions:

• Continuous Monitoring:
o Implement enhanced monitoring on the web server to detect any signs of
recurring attacks.
o Ensure that the SIEM system is configured to alert on similar activities in
the future.
• Review of Response Capabilities:
o Assess the effectiveness of the incident response team and their
capabilities.
o Provide additional training or resources if needed to enhance the team’s
readiness for future incidents.
Scenario 2: Data Exfiltration Detected

Alert Details:

• Alert Name: Data Exfiltration Detected

• Source: SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) System
• Time of Alert: 7 August 2024, 2:45 PM
• Affected System: Database Server (IP: 192.168.1.20)
• Description: Unusual volume of data transferred to an external IP address.

Incident Response Analysis

1. Preparation

• Policy Development And Communication

o Ensure policies for data transfer monitoring and restrictions are in place.
• Incident Response Plan Development
o Have a clear plan for responding to data exfiltration incidents.
• Training And Awareness
o Train staff on detecting and responding to data exfiltration.
• Tools And Resources
o Ensure tools like SIEM, firewalls, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
solutions are configured and ready.
• Threat Intelligence
o Stay informed about common data exfiltration methods and sources.

2. Detection

Alert Received:

• Time: 7 August 2024, 2:45 PM

• SIEM Alert: Data Exfiltration Detected on Database Server (IP: 192.168.1.20)
• Details: The SIEM system has detected 50 GB of data transferred to the external
IP address 198.51.100.100 in the last hour.

3. Analysis
Initial Triage:

• Analyst: SOC Analyst

• Actions:
1. Verify Alert:
§ Check the logs on the SIEM system to confirm the alert.
§ Verify the amount of data transferred and the source and
destination IP addresses.
2. Assess Impact:
§ Determine the type of data that was exfiltrated.
§ Identify the user or process responsible for the data transfer.
3. Notify:
§ Inform the Incident Response (IR) team and relevant stakeholders
about the detected data exfiltration.

Log:

Aug 07 14:30:00 dbserver transfer[5678]: 10 GB data transferred to 198.51.100.100

Aug 07 14:35:00 dbserver transfer[5678]: 15 GB data transferred to 198.51.100.100
Aug 07 14:40:00 dbserver transfer[5678]: 25 GB data transferred to 198.51.100.100

4. Containment and Eradication

Short-Term Containment:

• Actions:
1. Block Data Transfer:
§ Block outgoing traffic to the external IP address (198.51.100.100)
on the firewall.
§ Verify that the block is successfully applied.
2. Isolate Affected System:
§ Isolate the database server (IP: 192.168.1.20) from the network to
prevent further data loss.
3. Identify and Terminate Malicious Processes:
 § Identify any malicious processes or users responsible for the data
transfer.
§ Terminate the malicious processes and disable the user accounts
involved.

Firewall Rule:

iptables -A OUTPUT -d 198.51.100.100 -j DROP

Eradication:

• Root Cause Analysis:

1. Identify Vulnerabilities:
§ Check for any vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that allowed the
data exfiltration.
§ Ensure that all data access permissions are properly configured.
2. Patch and Update:
§ Apply necessary patches to the database server software.
§ Update the server and application configurations to enforce
stronger security measures.

Configuration Hardening:

Disable remote access for non-essential users

Enforce strict data access controls and permissions
Implement data encryption for sensitive information

5. Recovery

System Restoration:

• Actions:
1. Restore from Backup:
§ If necessary, restore the database server from a known good
backup.
2. Revalidate Configurations:
§ Ensure that all security configurations and hardening measures
are applied.
§ Test the functionality of the database server to ensure it is
operating correctly.
Validation and Testing:

• Functional Testing:
o Ensure the database server is functioning correctly and that all services
are operational.
• Security Testing:
o Conduct vulnerability scans to verify that the data exfiltration vector has
been closed.
o Perform penetration testing to ensure there are no remaining
vulnerabilities.

6. Post-Incident Review

Incident Review:

• Debriefing Session:
o Conduct a debriefing session with the incident response team and
relevant stakeholders.
o Review the incident timeline, response actions, and decision-making
processes.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Comprehensive Incident Report:

o Prepare a detailed report including:
§ Incident summary and timeline
§ Impact assessment
§ Root cause analysis and attack vector
§ Response actions and remediation steps
§ Findings and evidence collected

Incident Summary Report:

Incident Summary:
- Date: 7 August 2024
- Alert: Data Exfiltration Detected on Database Server
- Source IP: 198.51.100.100
- Affected System: Database Server (IP: 192.168.1.20)
- Response Actions: Blocked outgoing traffic to the external IP, isolated affected
system, terminated malicious processes
- Impact: 50 GB of data exfiltrated, sensitive data potentially compromised

Root Cause Analysis:

- The attacker exploited weak data access controls.
- The database server allowed large data transfers without adequate monitoring.

Remediation Steps:
- Blocked the exfiltration IP address.
- Applied strict data access controls and permissions.
- Implemented data encryption for sensitive information.
- Conducted a full security review of the database server configurations.

Lessons Learned:
- Importance of monitoring and alerting for large data transfers.
- Regular review and hardening of data access controls.
- Continuous monitoring and alerting for suspicious data transfer activities.

Recommendations:
- Regular security training for administrators.
- Implementation of data loss prevention (DLP) solutions.
- Periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Lessons Learned:

• Identify Lessons Learned:

o Discuss what worked well and what didn’t during the incident response.
o Gather feedback from all participants to understand their perspectives.
• Update Policies and Procedures:
o Revise incident response policies and playbooks based on the lessons
learned.
o Ensure all changes are documented and communicated to relevant
teams.

Preventive Measures:

• Implement Improvements:
o Apply technical and procedural improvements to address identified
weaknesses.
o Enhance security measures, such as improved monitoring and new
security controls.
• Employee Training and Awareness:
o Conduct training sessions for administrators on secure data handling and
best practices.
o Raise awareness about the importance of monitoring and responding to
data exfiltration alerts.

Follow-Up Actions:

• Continuous Monitoring:
o Implement enhanced monitoring on the database server to detect any
signs of recurring attacks.
o Ensure that the SIEM system is configured to alert on similar activities in
the future.
• Review of Response Capabilities:
o Assess the effectiveness of the incident response team and their
capabilities.
o Provide additional training or resources if needed to enhance the team’s
readiness for future incidents.
Scenario 3: Phishing Email Detected

Alert Details:

• Alert Name: Phishing Email Detected

• Source: SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) System
• Time of Alert: 7 August 2024, 4:15 PM
• Affected System: Employee Workstation (IP: 192.168.1.30)
• Description: A phishing email was detected and reported by an employee.

Incident Response Analysis

1. Preparation

• Policy Development And Communication

o Establish policies for email security, including phishing detection and
response.
• Incident Response Plan Development
o Develop a plan specifically addressing phishing attacks.
• Training And Awareness
o Conduct regular training sessions for employees on identifying and
reporting phishing emails.
• Tools And Resources
o Ensure that email filtering tools, web proxies, and SIEM systems are
properly configured.
• Threat Intelligence
o Stay updated on common phishing techniques and emerging threats.

2. Detection

Alert Received:

• Time: 7 August 2024, 4:15 PM

• SIEM Alert: Phishing Email Detected on Employee Workstation (IP:
192.168.1.30)
• Details: The SIEM system has detected a phishing email reported by an
employee. The email contains a suspicious link to an external website
(http://malicious-site.com).

3. Analysis
Initial Triage:

• Analyst: SOC Analyst

• Actions:
1. Verify Alert:
§ Check the email logs on the SIEM system to confirm the alert.
§ Verify the details of the reported phishing email, including the
sender, subject, and content.
2. Assess Impact:
§ Determine if any employees have clicked on the phishing link.
§ Identify any compromised accounts or systems.
3. Notify:
§ Inform the Incident Response (IR) team and relevant stakeholders
about the detected phishing email.

Email Log:

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Urgent: Account Verification Required
Body: Please click on the following link to verify your account: http://malicious-
site.com

4. Containment and Eradication

Short-Term Containment:

• Actions:
1. Block Malicious URL:
§ Block the malicious URL (http://malicious-site.com) on the web
proxy/firewall to prevent further access.
§ Verify that the block is successfully applied.
2. Isolate Affected Accounts:
 § Reset passwords for any accounts that may have been
compromised.
§ Monitor the affected accounts for any suspicious activity.
3. Identify and Quarantine Infected Systems:
§ Identify any systems that may have been compromised by the
phishing attack.
§ Quarantine the infected systems to prevent further spread.

Firewall Rule:

iptables -A OUTPUT -d malicious-site.com -j DROP

Eradication:

• Root Cause Analysis:

1. Identify Vulnerabilities:
§ Check for any vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that allowed the
phishing email to reach the employee.
§ Ensure that email filtering and anti-phishing measures are properly
configured.
2. Patch and Update:
§ Apply necessary patches to the email filtering system.
§ Update email filtering rules and anti-phishing measures.

Configuration Hardening:

Enable advanced email filtering and anti-phishing measures

Implement DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records for email authentication
Conduct regular phishing simulations and employee training

5. Recovery

System Restoration:

• Actions:
1. Restore from Backup:
§ If necessary, restore any compromised systems from a known
good backup.
2. Revalidate Configurations:
§ Ensure that all security configurations and hardening measures
are applied.
 § Test the functionality of the email system to ensure it is operating
correctly.

Validation and Testing:

• Functional Testing:
o Ensure the email system is functioning correctly and that all services are
operational.
• Security Testing:
o Conduct vulnerability scans to verify that the phishing attack vector has
been closed.
o Perform penetration testing to ensure there are no remaining
vulnerabilities.

6. Post-Incident Review

Incident Review:

• Debriefing Session:
o Conduct a debriefing session with the incident response team and
relevant stakeholders.
o Review the incident timeline, response actions, and decision-making
processes.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Comprehensive Incident Report:

o Prepare a detailed report including:
§ Incident summary and timeline
§ Impact assessment
§ Root cause analysis and attack vector
§ Response actions and remediation steps
§ Findings and evidence collected

Incident Summary Report:

Incident Summary:
- Date: 7 August 2024
- Alert: Phishing Email Detected on Employee Workstation
- Source Email: [email protected]
- Affected System: Employee Workstation (IP: 192.168.1.30)
- Response Actions: Blocked malicious URL, isolated affected accounts, quarantined
infected systems
- Impact: No accounts compromised, potential exposure to phishing

Root Cause Analysis:

- The phishing email bypassed email filtering measures.
- The employee reported the email before any damage was done.
Remediation Steps:
- Blocked the malicious URL.
- Enhanced email filtering and anti-phishing measures.
- Implemented DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records for email authentication.
- Conducted a full security review of the email system configurations.

Lessons Learned:
- Importance of advanced email filtering and anti-phishing measures.
- Regular phishing simulations and employee training.
- Continuous monitoring and alerting for suspicious email activities.

Recommendations:
- Regular security training for employees.
- Implementation of advanced email security measures.
- Periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Lessons Learned:

• Identify Lessons Learned:

o Discuss what worked well and what didn’t during the incident response.
o Gather feedback from all participants to understand their perspectives.
• Update Policies and Procedures:
o Revise incident response policies and playbooks based on the lessons
learned.
o Ensure all changes are documented and communicated to relevant
teams.

Preventive Measures:

• Implement Improvements:
o Apply technical and procedural improvements to address identified
weaknesses.
o Enhance security measures, such as improved email filtering and new
security controls.
• Employee Training and Awareness:
o Conduct training sessions for employees on recognizing phishing emails
and best practices.
o Raise awareness about the importance of reporting suspicious emails
promptly.

Follow-Up Actions:

• Continuous Monitoring:
o Implement enhanced monitoring on the email system to detect any signs
of recurring attacks.
 o Ensure that the SIEM system is configured to alert on similar activities in
the future.
• Review of Response Capabilities:
o Assess the effectiveness of the incident response team and their
capabilities.
o Provide additional training or resources if needed to enhance the team’s
readiness for future incidents.