How do you regularly train your incident response team?

You will only know what to improve if you measure it first. So, the first step before training the team is to get a good sense of where the team is sitting. Interviews, role-playing, and reviewing any existing documentation related to Incident Response are all excellent activities. Yet, as soon and as often as possible, you should sit in the war room during incidents, listen, watch, and take notes. This is the best time to assess the team's skills and needs. You can then use the After Action Review and a tailored training program to improve your team's stance.

Use methods like self-assessments, quizzes, surveys, and performance reviews to gauge current capabilities. Consider each member's specific roles and expertise levels to tailor training effectively. This targeted approach allows you to define clear learning objectives and outcomes aligned with both individual and team needs. By customizing your training program based on thorough assessments, you ensure it addresses real weaknesses and enhances overall team performance.

Preparing for emergency responders is essential to ensure they can effectively respond to incidents and emergencies. *Emergency Response Plan (ERP)*: Develop a comprehensive emergency response plan. *Training and Education*: Provide regular training sessions and exercises. *Resource Identification*: Maintain an inventory of available resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, know your limitations. *Incident Command System (ICS)*: Implement the Incident Command System establish a clear chain of command. *Safety Protocols*: Prioritize safety by providing responders with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). *Collaboration with Local Authorities*: Collaborate closely with local emergency management agencies.

Use cyber ranges, capture the flag (CTF) competitions, and tabletop exercises to replicate real-world cyberattacks and incidents. These tools allow your team to practice their response strategies, test tools, and refine procedures in a controlled environment. Vary the types, complexities, and frequencies of scenarios to ensure your team encounters diverse challenges. This approach not only improves their readiness and adaptability but also fosters continuous learning and resilience against evolving threats.

In my experience, teams might quickly fall into habits, leaving a few individuals to repeatedly take on the same roles during Incident Response. While this might sound like a good idea, it will only help in the short run. Two risks here: - fatigue: individuals will get tired and either quit of make mistakes - low bus factor: if your key player is out due to personal or medical reasons, you will have a terrible time managing incidents Instead, I would like to use any incident as an opportunity for learning for less experienced individuals: shadowing and pairing are great ways for one individual to watch and learn. Putting the right environment in place for this takes effort and care, but it will pay off.

Provide regular learning opportunities—webinars, podcasts, courses, and workshops—to keep your team abreast of the latest trends, threats, and best practices. Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration by encouraging team members to exchange insights and experiences. Utilize tools like online forums, chat groups, and wikis to facilitate continuous learning and effective communication. This approach ensures your team remains engaged, informed, and prepared for evolving cyber threats.

#️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ 🙃 Host a Question and Answer session, plus tell a story, and add in some humor: Q: How did the hacker get in? A: Someone left their Windows open. Q: How did hacker get away? A: Used the backdoor and ransomware. Q: Why couldn't the witness identify the hacker? A: Used Spyware and Subnet Mask to hide identity. Q: How did the hacker get caught? A: CSIRT used a Bug, to lure in Scattered Spider, and they got stuck in the Web. A2: The CSIRT used Python to Byte...well, let's just say that a little bird (a.k.a. Parrot) did some squawking, but now they are done talking. Q: What happened to the hacker after getting caught? A: Police made them WannaCry by clearing their cookies. A2: FBI made their Heartbleed by deleting their cache.