IT DR Plan: Incident Response

IT Disaster Recovery Plan: Incident Response

This sample template provides a general structure for the IT disaster recovery procedures related to the response to an IT Incident.

Incident Identification

1. Establish a clear process for identifying and reporting incidents.
2. Implement monitoring systems and alerts to detect potential incidents.
3. Define criteria for incident severity levels and prioritize response accordingly.

Incident Assessment

1. Gather relevant information about the incident, including its nature, impact, and scope.
2. Assign dedicated personnel or incident response teams to assess and analyze the situation.
3. Determine the potential business impact and classify the incident accordingly.

Incident Response Team Activation

1. Identify and notify the appropriate incident response team members based on the incident type and severity.
2. Activate the incident response communication channels and establish a central incident response coordination point.
3. Ensure all team members have the tools, resources, and authority to respond effectively.

Incident Containment and Mitigation

1. Isolate affected systems or areas to prevent further damage or spread of the incident.
2. Implement immediate actions to mitigate the impact and minimize disruption to critical operations.
3. Document all containment and mitigation activities for future reference and analysis.

Incident Investigation

1. Conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the incident.
2. Preserve any evidence or logs related to the incident for analysis and forensics.
3. If required, engage relevant internal or external experts to assist in the investigation process.

Communication and Reporting

1. Establish clear communication channels to inform stakeholders about the incident and its impact.
2. Develop incident status reports regularly to provide updates on progress and resolution efforts.
3. Coordinate with the communication and public relations teams to manage external communications effectively.

Remediation and Recovery

1. Develop and execute a remediation plan to address vulnerabilities or weaknesses identified during the incident investigation.
2. Restore affected systems, applications, and data using backup and recovery procedures.
3. Validate the integrity and functionality of restored systems before returning them to normal operations.

Post-Incident Review

1. Conduct a post-incident review to assess the response's effectiveness and identify improvement areas.
2. Document lessons learned and update the incident response plan accordingly.
3. Share findings and recommendations with relevant stakeholders and incorporate feedback for future incidents.

Reference Goh, M. H. (2016). A Manager's Guide to Implementing Your IT Disaster Recovery Plan. Business Continuity Management Specialist Series (2nd ed.). Singapore: GMH Pte Ltd.

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