What do you do if your Information Security system is compromised?

# Implement your organization's incident response plan. Notify the appropriate stakeholders, including IT security, management, legal, and relevant staff, about the security breach. # Immediately isolate the compromised system, # Conduct a thorough assessment to determine the extent of the breach, # Take immediate action to contain the breach and prevent further unauthorized access, # Conduct a forensic analysis to identify the root cause of the breach, # Notify the appropriate authorities, # Restore affected systems and data from backups, # Develop and implement a remediation plan to address the vulnerabilities, # Conduct a post-incident review to identify gaps in security controls, and areas for improvement,

The best crisis management work begins when there is no crisis. Cybersecurity is not a discipline of impulse, but of continuous, daily work. Assuming that it is essential to prepare the response to the crisis in time and in advance, the worst mistake that can be made in a crisis is to respond without having agreed the response with the main areas of the organisation: Security, Management, Legal, HR, Organisation and, of course, Communication and Marketing. All of them, always being honest in their responses, should establish a clear, concise and constant course of action, always evaluating the changes.

If your Information Security system is compromised, follow these steps: Identify the breach: Determine the nature, extent, and source of the security breach. Contain the breach: Isolate affected systems to prevent further damage. Eradicate the threat: Remove malicious software and close vulnerabilities. Recover: Restore systems and data from secure backups. Notify relevant parties: Inform stakeholders, customers, and regulatory bodies as required. Review and learn: Analyze the incident and update security measures to prevent future breaches. Remember, a swift and effective response can minimize damage and help maintain trust. Always consult with a cybersecurity expert when dealing with serious breaches.

Es importante que el CISO convoque al equipo de respuesta ante incidentes cibernéticos (CSIRT) y/o al equipo de continuidad del negocio (BCP) para identificar las acciones que deben realizarse.

Assess which systems were affected and understand what type of compromise, for ex: • Was there a breach, some kind of command and control? o Determine reach and decide if system can and should be isolated for containment and root cause analysis o Map out what kind of data exposed, devise a communication plan. • Signals or security telemetry not propagating - misconfigurations, SW management, infrastructure, etc.? o Collaborate to agree on a mitigation plan. o Move from reactive to proactive. • Always, do a retrospective with lessons learned and: o Rotate keys and change passphrases. o Review what data the InfoSec systems use end-to-end, and tune it so only has what’s necessary. o Close the gaps so this type of incident doesn’t repeat.

In addition to what is mentioned, manage logs - Ensure that logs are secured from any changes. If possible, image the logs into a read only media to use it for investigations. Turn off any archival/purge processes on the impacted systems, and networks, so that we don't accidently remove the logs.

I think it is a social engineering issue. It could be a relationship between an external intrusion and a threat from an internal party. In the case of unauthorized access, I suspect a threat from an inside party. This is because many human ethical issues are committed from within.

The first step should be to evaluate all available logs and identify known indicators of compromise that can point to the actions taken by the attacker, as well as the type of attack perpetrated. In general, the major service providers and manufacturers of security products have specialized cyber threat hunting teams and services. They are responsible for analyzing, identifying, cataloging, and making information about cyber threats available for consultation.

Following the initial containment efforts, conducting a detailed damage assessment is essential to grasp the breach's extent. This phase involves pinpointing the compromised systems, identifying the nature of the accessed data, and evaluating the potential operational impact. A thorough investigation aims to uncover the breach's root cause—be it a phishing attack, an unpatched vulnerability, or perhaps an insider threat. This crucial step not only shapes your recovery plan but also aids in fortifying defenses against future incidents. Meticulously documenting every detail of this assessment is vital, serving both legal purposes and as a foundation for transparent communication with affected stakeholders.

Every incident response process must be thoroughly documented for future analysis and to derive lessons learned. During the containment and eradication phases, it is crucial to assess the damages and implement necessary mitigation measures, tailored to the specific type of incident. For example, in cases involving the extraction of personal data, it is imperative to engage departments responsible for data privacy. Furthermore, support from public relations, legal, and human resources teams is vital. These teams play an essential role in restoring the company's image among clients, suppliers, and employees, and in ensuring compliance with personal data regulation laws.

Post-assessment, crafting a transparent and timely communication plan is crucial. Informing all affected parties—employees, customers, partners, and regulatory bodies—is mandatory. Your communications should clearly articulate the breach's nature, the actions being undertaken for mitigation, and its implications for them. Advise on protective measures for those whose data may have been compromised. Establishing a single point of contact for all inquiries and updates is essential for delivering consistent information and preserving trust among stakeholders, thereby managing the situation with integrity and responsibility.

A communication plan should always provide for statements to be made by responsible persons (eg CISO). In practice, this emphasises the importance and understanding in a challenging situation, such as after a compromise. When choosing the medium of communication, care should also be taken to choose a standardised approach and not to provide information via different channels with different information content at the same time. Early and honest communication in times of crisis strengthens the trust of partners and customers. The content of information letters should also include information about measures already taken (first response) and their achievements.

Appropriate and timely communication is a form of transparency that keeps smooth operations between stakeholders and the team, it builds trust and also promotes coordination as to what next step to take in containment and remediation to restore the system to normal working condition

Being clear, direct and objective with senior management will enable the necessary referrals to be made in an agile way. Explain the damage and impacts, answer all questions, and if you don't, be honest in your answer. The pressure for a miracle cure when the news breaks sometimes leads managers to make promises they can't keep, which weakens their position as a driver of recovery. Explain the uncertainties of the scenarios inherent in this type of crisis and validate your recovery strategy. It is essential that you come away from this conversation with the recovery priorities legitimized by senior management, as this will guide your actions in the coming days.

Offer guidance on steps affected parties should take to protect themselves. Provide resources or support channels for further assistance. Designate a single point of contact for inquiries and updates related to the breach. This ensures consistency in communication and prevents confusion among stakeholders. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations regarding data breaches, including reporting requirements and obligations to affected individuals. Take proactive steps to rebuild trust with affected parties through ongoing communication, transparency, and demonstrating commitment to improving security measures. Conduct a thorough post-breach evaluation to identify any weaknesses in security protocols and processes.

According to my experience, after a security breach, it is essential to restore systems from backups. However, before proceeding with restoration, it is crucial to ensure that the systems are free from the vulnerabilities that led to the initial incident. This process involves a thorough analysis and the application of necessary security patches to mitigate any exposure points. Moreover, it is vital to elevate security policies to the highest possible level, adjusting settings and reinforcing protocols to prevent reinfections. This proactive approach not only securely restores systems but also strengthens the infrastructure against future attacks.

Disaster Recovery(DR) is what the company should have. If we have a good security policy and risk management, we can secure our systems and evenif we have encountered vulnerability within our system, we can restore our system easilyand timely and continue our business without any obstacles because we implement an effective security policy and risk management plan.

Centralize the list of assets that will make up the recovery. Recover servers to a different storage area. Install or update security products. Perform a full scan for each recovered asset. Each recovered asset must have its operating system and software updated. Perform a cleanup on the local access groups and credentials. Perform a vulnerability analysis. Release only the internet access essential to the operation of the services in production. Keep assets in quarantine for some time before fully returning services. Gradually bring services into production. Follow the monitoring environment, using all available security solutions and services (MDR/SOC).

After thorough communication, the focus shifts to recovery actions. Begin by restoring systems from clean backups, ensuring they're patched against the vulnerabilities exploited in the breach. In cases where backups are compromised, a rebuild might be necessary. Update and patch all systems to eliminate security loopholes. Enhancing your defense mechanisms is crucial; consider adding multi-factor authentication and intrusion detection systems for stronger security. Before fully reintegrating restored systems, conduct comprehensive testing to confirm their security and integrity, safeguarding against future breaches.

After navigating through recovery, turning the incident into a learning opportunity is essential for bolstering defenses against future breaches. Conduct a thorough review of your security policies and procedures to pinpoint gaps. Assess whether the breach resulted from specific oversights, such as insufficient phishing awareness among employees or lapses in regular software updates. Address these vulnerabilities with targeted training and stricter cybersecurity practices. Regular security audits and penetration testing are vital in preemptively identifying and addressing weaknesses.

Conduct periodic reviews of Security policies and procedures. Determine the root causes of the incident, whether it was due to lack of employee training, outdated software, inadequate access controls, or other factors. Develop targeted training programs to address specific areas of weakness identified during the incident. Implementing multi-factor authentication, enforcing stronger password policies, and regularly reviewing access privileges. Conduct regular security audits, Consider hiring external experts to perform penetration testing to uncover potential weaknesses proactively. Update your incident response plan based on lessons learned from the incident. Encourage open communication about security concerns.

Prevention is better than cure, as they say. It is essential to unpack the people, process, and technology aspects of the incident. Are staff adequately equipped to act safely? Have processes been updated to meet the current environment and address risks? Are critical systems adequately protected? Perform vulnerability assessments frequently, along with internal audits and penetration tests, to better understand your attack surface. Regularly conduct IT risk assessments to ensure your security measures adapt to emerging threats and the evolving landscape.

Have your legal and regulatory obligations clearly defined and documented so that you understand what is expected of you when handling an incident. This information should be readily available. Run incident simulations so that you can test your plans. You will often find gaps that were not obvious in the documentation when testing plans. Follow your communication plan that you tested. Regularly review our obligation with your legal team.

Ensure your incident preparedness plan outlines all regulatory and legal requirements, with clear reporting periods and notification timeframes. Make this information easily accessible to the relevant team members. Assign roles and responsibilities, holding accountable the appropriate team members to prevent fines.

Do not rely on information, search the Internet and research. Modern society is an information society. We are inundated with information. There is a mixture of harmful and harmless information. It is necessary to be discerning. The importance of learning through online courses. Participate in the community, attend events, and engage in discussions. Subscribe to newsletters and stay up-to-date. Get expert opinion, advice and guidance. Networking. Utilize Linkedin services through social media.

If an information security system is compromised, here are some key steps that should be taken: 1. Incident Response: 2. Damage Assessment: 3. System Recovery: 4. Security Hardening: 5. Notification and Communication: 6. Investigation and Root Cause Analysis: 7. Lessons Learned and Improvement: 8. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: It's crucial to have a well-defined incident response plan in place and to regularly test and update it to ensure an effective and coordinated response to security incidents.

Building lists of trusted contacts and establishing relationships with them before any security breaches occur is beneficial for effective incident response planning. This proactive strategy ensures that when a breach happens, necessary resources can be quickly mobilized without the stress of vetting new providers during a crisis. The key aspects of this approach include identifying critical contacts, maintaining relationships, and understanding the benefits of preparedness.