Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)Incident ManagementEasy
A CISO is establishing a new incident response program for a mid-sized financial institution. The CISO wants to ensure that the program can effectively address various types of incidents while maintaining operational efficiency. Which of the following is the MOST critical first step in developing a robust incident response capability?
- ADeveloping an incident response policy and clearly defining roles and responsibilities.
- BHiring a dedicated 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) team.
- CProcuring advanced Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions.
- DConducting regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Developing an incident response policy and clearly defining roles and responsibilities.
Establishing a foundational incident response policy is the most critical first step. It provides the necessary framework, defines the program's scope, and assigns responsibilities, which are essential before investing in technology or personnel.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Hiring a SOC team is a significant operational step that should follow the establishment of policy and process. It's an implementation detail.
- C. Procuring technology without a defined policy can lead to misaligned investments and ineffective use. This is a later step.
- D. While important for proactive security, penetration testing and vulnerability assessments are preventative measures, not the initial step for establishing the response capability itself.
Incident Response Policy
A formal document that establishes the organization's approach to managing security incidents, defining objectives, scope, and high-level responsibilities.
- Provides strategic direction for incident response.
- Defines what constitutes an incident and how it should be handled.
- Establishes governance and accountability.
Memory trick: First, lay the policy bricks before building the security house.