How can you conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively?

1 Prepare for incidents

The first step to conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively is to prepare for potential incidents before they happen. This means having a clear and updated incident response plan that defines roles, responsibilities, procedures, and resources for different scenarios. It also means having a trained and qualified incident response team that can communicate and collaborate effectively. Additionally, you should have the necessary tools and equipment to perform forensics and investigations, such as forensic software, hardware, and storage devices, as well as backups and recovery systems.

2 Identify incidents

The second step to conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively is to identify incidents as soon as possible. This means having a reliable and proactive monitoring and alerting system that can detect and notify you of any abnormal or suspicious activities on your devices, networks, and systems. It also means having a triage and analysis process that can verify and classify incidents based on their severity, impact, and scope. Furthermore, you should document and report any incidents that you identify, using a standardized format and protocol.

3 Contain incidents

The third step to conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively is to contain incidents as quickly as possible. This means isolating and securing the affected devices, networks, and systems from further damage or compromise, while preserving the integrity and availability of the evidence. It also means applying the appropriate containment strategies and techniques, such as disconnecting, blocking, or quarantining the devices, networks, or systems, or creating forensic images or copies of the evidence. Moreover, you should update and inform the relevant stakeholders and authorities of the containment actions and status.

4 Eradicate incidents

The fourth step to conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively is to eradicate incidents as thoroughly as possible. This means removing and eliminating the root causes and sources of the incidents, such as malware, vulnerabilities, or unauthorized access. It also means restoring and repairing the affected devices, networks, and systems to their normal or desired state, using the backups and recovery systems that you prepared. Additionally, you should test and verify that the eradication measures are effective and complete, and document and report the eradication results and outcomes.

5 Recover from incidents

The fifth step to conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively is to recover from incidents as smoothly as possible. This means returning the affected devices, networks, and systems to their full operational and functional capacity, while ensuring their security and performance. It also means reviewing and evaluating the incident response process and performance, identifying and implementing any lessons learned and improvements, and updating and revising the incident response plan and team accordingly. Furthermore, you should follow up and communicate with the relevant stakeholders and authorities of the recovery progress and status.

6 Analyze incidents

The sixth and final step to conduct incident response forensics and investigations effectively is to analyze incidents as deeply as possible. This means examining and interpreting the evidence that you collected and preserved during the containment and eradication phases, using the forensic tools and software that you prepared. It also means determining and explaining the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the incidents, such as the actors, actions, timelines, locations, motives, and methods. Additionally, you should report and present your findings and conclusions, using a clear and convincing format and language.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?