Last updated on Feb 17, 2024

How can you improve your documentation and reporting of security incidents?

Documentation and reporting are essential aspects of incident response, as they help you communicate the facts, findings, and actions taken during and after a security incident. However, many incident responders struggle with creating clear, concise, and consistent reports that meet the needs and expectations of different stakeholders. In this article, you will learn some tips and best practices to improve your documentation and reporting of security incidents.

1 Define your reporting objectives

Before you start writing your report, you need to define your reporting objectives and audience. What is the purpose of your report? Who will read it and what do they need to know? How will your report support decision-making and accountability? Depending on your objectives, you may need to create different types of reports, such as executive summaries, technical analyses, incident timelines, lessons learned, or recommendations. You should also consider the format, structure, and tone of your report, and use appropriate language and terminology for your audience.

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2 Follow a standard template

Improving your documentation and reporting of security incidents can be achieved by following a standard template that covers the essential elements of an incident report. Templates can help you organize information, ensure completeness and consistency, and save time and effort. You can use existing templates from industry standards, frameworks, or best practices, such as the NIST SP 800-61 or the SANS Incident Report Template, or customize your own template based on your organization's policies and procedures. Generally, a template should include sections such as an incident summary, details, response, analysis, findings, and recommendations. The incident summary should provide a brief overview of the incident including the date, time, scope, impact, and status. The incident details should describe the source, vector, indicators, evidence, and timeline of events. The incident response should summarize the actions taken by the incident response team including identification, containment, eradication, recovery and restoration steps. The incident analysis should examine the root cause, attack methods vulnerabilities and mitigations of the incident. The findings should summarize key observations from the response and analysis. Lastly, recommendations should include action items to prevent or reduce similar incidents in the future.

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3 Use clear and accurate data

Another way to improve your documentation and reporting of security incidents is to use clear and accurate data to support your claims and conclusions. You should collect, analyze, and present data from various sources, such as logs, alerts, network traffic, forensic images, or interviews, and use appropriate tools and methods to process and visualize the data. You should also verify the validity, reliability, and relevance of the data, and cite the sources and references. You should avoid using vague, ambiguous, or subjective statements, and use precise, factual, and objective language. You should also use consistent and standardized formats, units, and terms, and define any acronyms or technical terms.

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Carlos M.

Senior Digital Forensic Analyst | Cyber & Incident Response Team | Forensic IT Pty Ltd
Clear, accurate data is the backbone of superior incident documentation and reporting. In my practice, ensuring data integrity involves meticulous collection and verification processes, leveraging forensic tools for unassailable accuracy. I prioritize presenting data in a straightforward, digestible format, avoiding technical jargon that might obscure the facts. This approach not only streamlines the incident response process but also enhances communication with stakeholders, ensuring that reports are comprehensible and actionable. By maintaining a commitment to clarity and precision, we bolster our cybersecurity defenses and facilitate a more informed decision-making process.
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4 Review and revise your report

A final way to improve your documentation and reporting of security incidents is to review and revise your report before you submit or share it. You should check your report for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors, and use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or style guides to help you. You should also check your report for accuracy, completeness, clarity, and consistency, and use tools such as checklists, peer reviews, or feedback mechanisms to help you. You should also ensure that your report meets the reporting objectives and requirements, and complies with the relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards. You should also protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your report, and use tools such as encryption, authentication, or access control to help you.

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5 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?

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How can you improve your documentation and reporting of security incidents?

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1 Define your reporting objectives

2 Follow a standard template

3 Use clear and accurate data

4 Review and revise your report

5 Here’s what else to consider

Incident Response

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