Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT): How to Build One – Source: heimdalsecurity.com

According to the World Economic Forum, “widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity” is rated as one of the greatest worldwide dangers for the following two and ten years.

This means that your organization needs to constantly improve its cybersecurity posture. A known way of doing this is through a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).

This article will explore what CSIRT is, what models you can adopt, and how it could help an organization to better fight cybercrime.

What Is a CSIRT?

A Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) comprises a team of IT experts dedicated to offering an organization a range of services and assistance in the evaluation, control, and prevention of cybersecurity crises. Additionally, CSIRTs are responsible for orchestrating and streamlining incident response actions.

The primary objective of a CSIRT, also known as a CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team), is to swiftly and effectively address computer security incidents, ultimately regaining control and mitigating harm.

Moreover, these teams serve as a dependable and trustworthy single point of contact for both reporting cybersecurity incidents and distributing vital incident-related information.

Nations can create their own CSIRTs with a national responsibility to protect a country’s cybersecurity. Here is a list of national CSIRTs.

How Does the Computer Security Incident Response Team Work?

The CSIRT is primarily involved in the four phases of the incident response lifecycle, as determined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

1. Preparation for the Incident

A CSIRT framework and mission statement will offer directions for:

• policies regarding the incident management process
• the body of people
• the direct authority to report an incident to
• tools and resources to handle an attack

2. Detecting & Analyzing the Incident

Detection can happen through many sources. Sources like anti-malware and log analysis tools can spot an attack. As well as information received by users, other CERT teams, and providers or vendors of technology systems.

The incident analysis will determine the scope of the attack, the origin, and the occurrence. The conclusion of the analysis will serve to plan the course of action and to communicate about the incident.

3. Containment, Eradication & Recovery

To limit the impact of an attack, the Computer Security Incident Response Team might isolate or shut down infected systems. Another solution could be diverting the traffic away from them.

The next step, after containment, is the eradication of the malware. CSIRTs can use various techniques for this phase: delete malicious files, disable affected accounts, scrub infected devices, and patch vulnerabilities.

Recovery actions include reviving affected systems, restoring data from backups, or failing over to disaster recovery sites.

4. Post-incident Activity

Reviewing the incident as part of the post-incident activity helps to respond quicker to future attacks and to optimize the use of security software.

Additionally, reporting response time and impact containment metrics is crucial for improvement. The CSIRT may also collaborate with law enforcement in tracing attack sources, analyzing evidence, and providing legal testimony when necessary.

Models for a Computer Security Incident Response Team

You must consider several criteria while choosing CSIRT’s operational model. Among them are the location (centralized vs. distributed) and the sourcing strategy (internal vs. external).

There are various typical CSIRT structures:

1. Centralized CSIRT: A single team serves the whole organization, suitable for small or local companies.
2. Distributed CSIRT: Multiple independent teams based on geography, structure, or employee distribution.
3. Coordinating CSIRT: Manages and coordinates activities among multiple CSIRTs, like CERT/CC.
4. Hybrid CSIRT: Combines centralized and distributed elements, with full-time and on-call experts.
5. CSIRT/SOC Hybrid: SOC handles initial detection, with CSIRT for deeper analysis and resolution.
6. Outsourced CSIRT: Contractors or outsourced services for companies lacking in-house resources.

CSIRT’s Members Skills and Responsibilities

CSIRTs operate differently based on an organization’s staffing, expertise, budget, and specific conditions. Regardless of the model, CSIRT members need specialized skills that may surpass those found in typical information security teams.

These skills encompass:

• Proficiency in service management for events, incidents, and problem handling.
• Deep technical expertise spanning applications, platforms, and infrastructure from various vendors and environments.
• Competence in log analysis, preserving forensic data, and ethical hacking.
• Effective communication and coordination with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical capabilities to assess diverse scenarios and explore alternative courses of action.

Using these skills, CSIRTs often shoulder numerous tasks, which may encompass:

• Developing and revising incident response plans.
• Maintaining and disseminating information to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Identifying, evaluating, and analyzing incidents.
• Coordinating and communicating response activities.
• Initiating incident remediation.
• Compiling incident reports.
• Overseeing audit processes.
• Assessing security policies.
• Proposing adjustments to avert future incidents.

How to Bild a Computer Security Incident Response Team

Although each CSIRT is distinct to its organization, in a broader context, CSIRTs are set apart from other incident response teams by their mission statement, constituency, and list of services.

Mission statement

The CSIRT’s mission statement serves as a declaration of its purpose and the rationale for its existence. It delineates the CSIRT’s spheres of responsibility and acts as a means to establish expectations with its constituency.

Here is an example of a mission statement: “The goal of XYZ CSIRT is to safeguard XYZ Corp. by developing and preserving the capacity to identify, address, and resolve computer and information security events.”

Constituency

It is imperative to have a well-defined CSIRT constituency. This refers to the group of customers or recipients of incident response services. Typically, the constituency is specific to a particular CSIRT and often aligns with its parent organization.

List of services

The CSIRT’s mission is fulfilled by providing services to its constituency. While CSIRTs may provide various services, certain foundational ones are essential for them to be recognized as a formal incident response team.

At its core, a CSIRT must possess the capability to accomplish the following:

• Receive an incident report from a constituent
• Analyze an incident report to validate and understand the incident
• Provide incident response support.

SOC vs. CSIRT

SOCs and CSIRTs are both types of incident response teams, and while they are sometimes used interchangeably, distinctions exist, contingent upon how an organization employs these terms.

A SOC team serves as a monitoring and defense unit for an organization, region, or country, functioning as a central command-and-control hub. Its primary role is safeguarding networks, servers, applications, and endpoints. However, the SOC’s responsibilities encompass more than just incident response.

On the other hand, CSIRTs primarily focus on incident response, although their precise roles may vary among organizations. When the SOC requires additional analysis, the CSIRT is activated. Typically, the SOC acts as an initial incident detection front end, flagging incidents and then transferring them to the CSIRT for resolution.

How Heimdal® Can Help?

With the Heimdal XDR, you can eliminate the complexity of managing multiple security solutions and have a comprehensive, integrated approach to cybersecurity. Simply said, the Heimdal XDR reduces complexity and costs by consolidating multiple security technologies. The result is lower costs and better utilization of your SecOps and IT resources.

The platform comes equipped with a Threat-Hunting and Action Center, which allows for seamless and efficient one-click automated and assisted actioning across your digital enterprise. This feature enables you to respond quickly and effectively to any potential threats, keeping your business and data safe and secure.

Don’t have the capacity to hire a team right now? No problem. Our managed XDR service includes a Security Operations Center (SOC) that conducts event monitoring, investigates threats, extends threat hunting, and offers forensic analysis. Additionally, it features an action-oriented incident response team that takes proactive measures to contain and neutralize attacks.

Wrapping up…

The significance of CSIRTs cannot be underestimated, particularly as the technology environment and the network of cyberattack origins become increasingly intricate.

Enhancing efficiency in managing information security incidents greatly relies on cross-industry, cross-country, and cross-regional cooperation and the exchange of expertise and insights.

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