What are some best practices for handling an incident?

The best practices for handling an incident include involving key personnel, automating containment, developing plans, pre-provisioning access, and conducting game days. By involving key personnel, organizations ensure that those with the appropriate expertise and authority are engaged in the incident response process, which improves decision-making and coordination.

Automating containment measures helps to rapidly limit the impact of an incident without overwhelming the response team, allowing for a more efficient and effective resolution. Developing incident response plans beforehand means that teams can act decisively and consistently when an incident occurs, as they know the procedures to follow. Pre-provisioning access for essential team members ensures that they have the necessary permissions and tools at hand when time is critical. Running game days—or practice drills—allows teams to rehearse their incident response actions in a controlled environment, improving their preparedness for real-world incidents.

Other approaches, such as ignoring external influences or prioritizing budget over security training, do not contribute to a robust incident handling strategy. Focusing solely on data recovery after an incident also limits the response effort, as incidents often require a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, detection, and response strategies beyond just recovering data.