Incident Response Frameworks: NIST and SANS

Incident response frameworks provide structured methodologies for detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents. Two widely recognized frameworks are the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security) Institute models. These frameworks help organizations minimize damage, mitigate threats, and improve future response strategies.

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1. NIST Incident Response Framework (NIST SP 800-61)

Phases of NIST Framework:

1. Preparation:
   • Develop incident response policies and procedures.
   • Conduct risk assessments and implement security controls.
   • Train staff and establish communication channels.
2. Detection and Analysis:
   • Monitor network traffic and system logs.
   • Identify anomalies and potential indicators of compromise (IoCs).
   • Perform root cause analysis and assess the impact.
3. Containment, Eradication, and Recovery:
   • Isolate affected systems to prevent further damage.
   • Remove malware or unauthorized access.
   • Restore systems from backups and verify integrity.
4. Post-Incident Activity:
   • Conduct a post-mortem analysis.
   • Document lessons learned and improve response strategies.
   • Update security policies and tools.

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2. SANS Incident Response Framework (SANS 6-Step Model)

Phases of SANS Framework:

1. Preparation:
   • Develop response plans and assign roles and responsibilities.
   • Implement security tools and conduct regular training.
2. Identification:
   • Detect unusual activity through network monitoring and threat intelligence.
   • Verify the nature and scope of the incident.
3. Containment:
   • Short-term containment (e.g., isolating affected systems).
   • Long-term containment (e.g., applying patches and security updates).
4. Eradication:
   • Remove malware, compromised accounts, and vulnerabilities.
   • Conduct forensic analysis to understand the attack vector.
5. Recovery:
   • Restore affected systems and services.
   • Monitor for any signs of re-infection or persistence.
6. Lessons Learned:
   • Review incident handling effectiveness.
   • Improve incident response playbooks and security posture.

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Comparison of NIST and SANS Frameworks

Aspect	NIST Framework	SANS Framework
Structure	4 Phases	6 Phases
Focus	Strategic and compliance-oriented	Operational and technical-focused
Emphasis	Risk management and continuous improvement	Tactical response and rapid containment
Best Use Case	Large organizations with compliance needs	Incident response teams and SOCs (Security Operations Centers)

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Benefits of Using These Frameworks

• Improved threat detection and response time.
• Reduced impact of security breaches.
• Enhanced compliance with regulatory standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
• Continuous improvement through post-incident analysis.

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Challenges and Best Practices

Challenges:

• Coordinating response across multiple teams.
• Handling sophisticated attacks (e.g., ransomware and APTs).
• Maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence.

Best Practices:

1. Implement continuous monitoring and threat intelligence.
2. Regularly conduct incident response drills and tabletop exercises.
3. Establish clear communication channels and escalation paths.
4. Use automation for faster containment and recovery.