Cyber security incident response retainer

Cybersecurity incident response retainer services are proactive agreements that ensure rapid response to potential security incidents. The service is designed to offer support in the event of a cyber attack or security breach. The service retainer ensures that your organization has access to expert guidance and resources when they need it most, without delays caused by contract negotiations or service availability issues.
 
Incident response retainer
 
Key components of these services include:
 
1. Pre-Incident Planning & Readiness: This involves the development of incident response plans tailored to your organization’s needs, along with cybersecurity training for staff to prepare for potential threats. This includes identifying critical assets, defining roles, and setting up communication protocols.
 
2. Rapid Response: In the event of an actual security breach or incident, the retainer service provide immediate access to a cyber security experts who can quickly assess, contain, and mitigate the incident. This may include analysis data recovery, and more.
 
3. 24/7 Availability: The  retainer service guarantee 24/7 availability to ensure that any cybersecurity incidents, whether detected during or outside of regular business hours, are swiftly addressed.
 
4. Incident Analysis and Investigation: The cybersecurity expert will conduct thorough investigations to determine the scope and root cause of the breach. This includes analyzing affected systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and providing forensic reports.
 
5. Containment and Remediation: The cyber security expert will work with your IT team to contain the threat and prevent further damage, following a structured remediation process. This can involve patching systems, isolating compromised networks, and improving security postures.
 
6. Post-Incident Reporting & Recommendations: After resolving the incident, the cybersecurity expert will prepare a detailed report documenting the breach, its impact, and recommendations for strengthening defenses to prevent future attacks.
  
By maintaining a cybersecurity incident response retainer, your organization can significantly reduce the impact and downtime of potential security breaches, ensuring their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to protect their assets and reputation.

IR retainer roles and responsibilities

1. During Incident Roles

Incident Triage

  • Act as the primary point of contact when an incident is reported.
  • Validate the severity, scope, and impact of the incident.
  • Prioritize response efforts based on business impact and risk.

Containment and Mitigation

  • Provide guidance or directly assist in isolating affected systems or networks.
  • Implement containment strategies to limit the spread of the threat.
  • Offer rapid recommendations for mitigating vulnerabilities or attack vectors.

Investigation and Analysis

  • Perform forensic analysis to understand the root cause and methods used by attackers.
  • Identify indicators of compromise (IOCs) and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of attackers.
  • Document findings to ensure evidence is preserved for compliance or legal purposes.

Technical Support

  • Deploy specialists to assist with technical remediation, including malware removal, system recovery, and patch deployment.
  • Provide real-time updates and collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.

2. Post-Incident Roles

Recovery Support

  • Assist with restoring operations, ensuring systems are secure and functional.
  • Validate that no backdoors or residual threats remain in the environment.
  • Guide the organization on rebuilding trust with customers and stakeholders if needed.

Incident Reporting

  • Deliver a comprehensive incident report detailing:
    • Timeline of events.
    • Actions taken during the response.
    • Root cause analysis.
    • Recommendations for improvement.

Process Improvement

  • Recommend updates to the IR plan based on lessons learned.
  • Provide guidance on enhancing security policies, technologies, and employee awareness.
  • Advise on implementing additional security controls to prevent recurrence.