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Incident Management Operations

Executing incident response procedures to address and mitigate security breaches.

Incident Management Operations involves the actual execution of incident response procedures when a security breach occurs. It includes detecting, analyzing, containing, eradicating, and recovering from security incidents, as well as conducting post-incident reviews to improve future response capabilities.
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Incident Management Operations within CISM framework refers to the structured approach for handling security incidents effectively from identification through resolution. It begins with preparation, establishing the incident response team, defining roles, creating response plans, and implementing communication protocols. Detection mechanisms must be in place to identify potential security breaches through monitoring systems, alerts, and user reports. Once detected, incidents require classification based on severity, impact, and type to prioritize response efforts. The containment phase focuses on limiting damage by isolating affected systems, blocking attack vectors, and preventing further compromise. After containment, eradication removes the threat through malware removal, vulnerability patching, and system hardening. Recovery restores normal operations, validates system integrity, and confirms security controls are functioning properly. Throughout these phases, documentation captures incident details, response actions, and evidence for potential legal proceedings. Post-incident analysis evaluates the effectiveness of the response, identifies improvement areas, and updates procedures accordingly. Communication remains crucial—keeping stakeholders informed with appropriate information while maintaining operational security. Integration with business continuity ensures critical functions continue during incident handling. Performance metrics should track response effectiveness, including time-to-detect, time-to-contain, and resolution time. Ultimately, effective incident management operations balance prompt technical response with business requirements, ensuring security incidents are handled efficiently while minimizing organizational impact.

Incident Management Operations within CISM framework refers to the structured approach for handling security incidents effectively from identification through resolution. It begins with preparation, …

Concepts covered: Post-Incident Review Practices, Incident Response Communications, Incident Investigation and Evaluation, Incident Management Tools and Techniques, Incident Eradication and Recovery, Incident Containment Methods

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CISM - Incident Management Operations Example Questions

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Question 1

During a major security incident, which communication method is most appropriate for quickly disseminating critical information to a large number of internal stakeholders?

Correct Answer: Mass notification system

The most appropriate communication method for quickly disseminating critical information to a large number of internal stakeholders during a major security incident is a mass notification system. A mass notification system is designed specifically for rapid, wide-scale communication in emergency situations. It allows for immediate, simultaneous distribution of critical information to all relevant parties, ensuring that everyone receives the same message at the same time. This method is highly efficient and can reach stakeholders through multiple channels (e.g., text, email, voice calls) to ensure the message is received. The other options are less effective in this scenario: Individual phone calls to each department head would be time-consuming and inefficient, potentially delaying critical information dissemination. A company-wide email with a detailed incident report may not be read promptly by all stakeholders and could contain too much information for an initial alert. Scheduled face-to-face briefings with team leaders would take too long to organize and execute, delaying the spread of crucial information during a time-sensitive security incident.

Question 2

Which of the following incident management techniques is most effective for prioritizing and categorizing reported security incidents?

Correct Answer: Incident triage

Incident triage is the most effective technique for prioritizing and categorizing reported security incidents. Here's why:

1. Incident triage is specifically designed to quickly assess and classify incoming security incidents based on their severity, potential impact, and urgency.

2. It allows security teams to efficiently allocate resources by determining which incidents require immediate attention and which can be addressed later.

3. Triage helps in establishing a standardized approach to incident handling, ensuring consistent prioritization across different types of security events.

4. It enables organizations to respond to the most critical threats first, minimizing potential damage and reducing overall risk.

As for the other options:

Root cause analysis is typically performed after an incident has been contained and resolved. While valuable for preventing future incidents, it does not help with initial prioritization.

Forensic data collection is an important step in incident response, but it occurs after an incident has been identified and prioritized. It's not used for initial categorization.

An incident escalation matrix is a tool that defines who should be notified and when, based on the severity of an incident. While useful, it doesn't directly address the prioritization and categorization of incoming incidents.

Question 3

Which of the following is the most effective approach for ensuring timely and accurate incident response communications across different time zones?

Correct Answer: Establishing a 24/7 global communication center with designated regional liaisons

The most effective approach for ensuring timely and accurate incident response communications across different time zones is establishing a 24/7 global communication center with designated regional liaisons. This approach provides several key advantages:

1. Continuous Coverage: A 24/7 center ensures that there's always someone available to handle incidents, regardless of the time zone.

2. Consistency: Centralized communication helps maintain consistent messaging and information flow across all regions.

3. Coordination: Designated regional liaisons can bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring effective communication with local teams.

4. Real-time Response: The center can provide immediate updates and coordinate responses as incidents evolve.

5. Scalability: This approach can easily adapt to handle multiple incidents or large-scale events.

The other options are less effective:

Implementing an automated email system at predetermined intervals may lead to delays in critical information sharing and doesn't allow for real-time adjustments based on evolving situations.

Relying on local team leaders for information dissemination can result in inconsistencies, delays, and potential miscommunications due to the lack of a centralized coordination point.

Scheduling regular video conferences at convenient times for all global participants is impractical for urgent incident response. It doesn't provide the necessary flexibility and immediacy required in rapidly evolving security situations.

The 24/7 global communication center approach combines the benefits of centralized coordination with localized expertise, making it the most effective solution for managing incident response communications across different time zones.

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