Data Breach and Incident Response Policy Template| Data Governance Framework

To fulfill principles outlined in Data Governance Policy and Data Security Policy managing data breaches and their subsequent responses need to be done methodologically and in a timely manner. Because rapid and effective reaction stands vital when data breaches occur because they threaten information belonging to the organization and its users. Companies implement a formal process which works to prevent data loss and protect services along with lessening the magnitude of security incidents. 

Data Breach and Incident Response Principle

Preparation for Data Breach

• Any unapproved data access together with the collection or usage or disclosure or duplication or alteration or disposal of information qualifies as a breach. The unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification or disposal of data emerges from three main sources: malicious activities, human errors and ineffective control designs in operating systems.
  
  
• The principles of IT Risk Management Policy and Data Governance Policy guide us to use risk intelligence for detecting data breach risks so that they can create tracking systems and develop efficient solutions against such threats.
  
  
• Joint administration oversight and log monitoring tools will perform the activated monitoring tasks. Operating systems and network devices together with applications generate logs which need periodic examination for abnormal behavior to detect system-based cyberattacks. Basic log monitoring standards should be implemented in order to achieve effective log observation. 
  
  
• The organization will access shared intelligence and information platforms for receiving security advisories related to vulnerabilities and emerging threats in current trends.

Data Breach and Incident Response Plan

• Both verified and suspected breaches of data and their explanation: Employees will be able to recognize a data breach in real time and know the exact response that is required pertaining to an issue. 
  
  
• Processes of reporting the data breaches in the whole organization: Each and every member of the organization has a unique and important role when it comes to reporting cases of data breach. It is crucial that an employee in question knows, once he or she has knowledge about a potential or real data breach, how and to whom the report should be made within the business organization (for instance, relevant persons such as the chief data security officer, the chief data officer (CDO), senior management, or data owners) Therefore, it is necessary to capture the notification tree structure and the circumstances in which the person(s) will be alerted to the occurrence of a data breach incident.
  
  
• How to respond to data breaches: This will accommodate the framework for the containment of a data breach, its evaluation and management, together with the roles and duties of employees forming the data breach incident management team. Data breach response simulation training exercises will be employed rigorously in organization so as to ensure that as a business will be ready for effective response to cases of data breach in a timely manner.

Responding to Data Breaches for More Information

During a breach, panic is the worst reaction that can be made. Responding promptly and proactively to a data breach plan is integral for minimizing damage to your organization’s image and resources during a breach. This is how the breach can be managed in the best possible manner:  

1. Identify The Breach- Ensure that you have set alert alerts in place for any hint of suspicious or abnormal activity. Flag potential proactive threats using tools known as intrusion detection systems (IDS).  Acknowledge the fact that a breach must be verified, as there can always be false claims made by users.  

2. Limit Damage As Soon As Possible- Immediately isolate affected systems in order to contain the data leak, if there is any. Disable the use of credentials or logical access for the affected user. If deemed necessary, servers, databases and or applications that are being impacted need to be disabled.  

3. Analyze The Impact- Figure out what information has been breached, it could range from personal to financial to even confidential. Workbench on how many individuals or organizations stand to gain access to the data. Identify the source and types of attack, be it phishing, malware, or something from within like an insider threat.  

4. Inform Relevant People- Make sure internal stakeholders are the first ones to be notified. This includes but is not limited to: IT, legislative, compliance, and public relations. Inform if it becomes necessary for your business to comply with regulatory authorities such as GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and or other. Be careful, but ensure to have clear communication with customers and business partners.

Incident Classification, Identification and Reporting

• Effective management of an organization’s Cyber Security Incident Response Plan relies heavily on incident identification and reporting. They guarantee accurate identification, evaluation and reporting of security incidents in an organization. If there are no proper identification processes, security breaches may remain unnoticed for long periods of time, resulting in greater possible harm.
  
  
• Setting up effective procedures for incident reporting, classification, and identification helps organizations effectively reduce the impact and risk of the incidents. Organizations need to have efficient detection systems which monitor the organization’s systems on a 24/7 basis for unusual activities and possible threats. These systems act as the primary line of defense in a comprehensive incident response model.
  
  
• Such detection systems should have the capability of matching the sophistication of alerting systems designed to notify the security section of any suspicious and strange activity or security breaches. Organizations should set up defined reporting structures and criteria for classification to ensure key incidents receive the action they require according to their seriousness and probable consequences.

Summary

An organization will enhance cybersecurity defense readiness through incident response information to protect against future threats. The data breach and incident response policy enables quick detection and correct classification of incidents and proper reporting through the application of response principles.