Information security incident management planning and preparation is a foundational governance framework requiring the formalisation of response procedures to mitigate cyber threats. The primary implementation requirement focuses on documented policy readiness, ensuring the business benefit of maintaining operational resilience and meeting strict regulatory data breach reporting timelines.
What is Information security incident management planning and preparation?
ISO 27001 Information Security Incident Management Planning and Preparation is a guideline that helps organisations get ready for and respond to security problems. It’s like having a fire drill for computer security. This control makes sure you have a plan to deal with things like cyber-attacks or data leaks. It helps you act fast to lessen the damage.
Examples
- Cyber-attack: A hacker gets into your company’s network. Your team uses the ISO 27001 Annex A 5.24 plan to find out what happened, stop the attack, and fix the damage.
- Data Breach: A file with customer information is accidentally shared with the wrong people. The plan tells you who to tell, how to handle the data, and what to do to prevent it from happening again.
Context
This control is a key part of ISO 27001, which is an international standard for managing information security. It’s about being proactive. Instead of waiting for a problem to happen, you prepare for it. This helps protect your company’s important information.
How to implement Information security incident management planning and preparation
Implementing a robust incident management framework requires a shift from reactive firefighting to proactive preparation. This 10-step guide outlines the technical and administrative controls necessary to comply with ISO 27001:2022 standards and protect organisational assets.
1. Formalise the Incident Management Policy
Establish a high-level policy that defines what constitutes an incident versus a security event. This document must be approved by senior management to ensure resource allocation and authority during a crisis. Key inclusions are:
- Legal and regulatory reporting obligations, such as GDPR 72-hour windows.
- Defined severity levels (Critical, High, Medium, Low).
- Reference to the overarching Information Security Management System (ISMS).
2. Appoint and Train the Incident Response Team
Designate a cross-functional Incident Response Team (IRT) with clearly defined roles. Members should include technical leads, legal counsel, HR, and communications specialists. Requirements include:
- Documented Roles and Responsibilities (RACI matrix).
- Specialised training on forensic preservation and malware containment.
- 24/7 contact availability for critical team members.
3. Conduct a Comprehensive Asset Discovery
Provision an up-to-date Asset Register to identify what needs protection. You cannot manage incidents on hardware or software you do not know exists. Technical actions include:
- Running network discovery scans to identify “Shadow IT”.
- Mapping data flows for sensitive Personal Identifiable Information (PII).
- Assigning asset owners responsible for recovery prioritisation.
4. Implement Technical Detection Controls
Deploy monitoring tools to provide early warning signals of unauthorised activity. ISO 27001 requires proactive detection rather than relying on accidental discovery. Critical tools include:
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems for log aggregation.
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) on all workstations and servers.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) at network boundaries.
5. Enforce Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Secure the “keys to the kingdom” by hardening access to sensitive systems. Compromised credentials are the leading cause of security incidents. Implementation steps are:
- Mandating Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all remote and privileged access.
- Applying the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) to restrict lateral movement.
- Regularly reviewing administrative IAM roles and revoking unnecessary permissions.
6. Establish Incident Reporting Channels
Create simple, accessible methods for employees and third parties to report observed security weaknesses or events. Speed of reporting is directly correlated to containment success. Channels should include:
- A dedicated internal security email address or ticketing portal.
- An anonymous whistleblowing line for sensitive internal breaches.
- Automated alerts from technical monitoring systems.
7. Develop Technical Response Playbooks
Create modular “Runbooks” for specific incident types, such as ransomware, DDoS, or lost physical assets. These provide the “Rules of Engagement” (ROE) for the IRT. Each playbook must detail:
- Immediate containment steps to prevent further spread.
- Evidence collection procedures to maintain forensic integrity.
- Eradication and recovery checklists.
8. Define External Communication Protocols
Formalise how the organisation communicates with external stakeholders during an incident. Uncoordinated messaging can lead to reputational damage and legal liability. Protocols must cover:
- Liaison with Law Enforcement (e.g., Action Fraud or National Cyber Security Centre).
- Notification procedures for affected clients and partners.
- Interaction with data protection authorities (e.g., the ICO).
9. Execute Regular Simulation Exercises
Test the effectiveness of the plan through “Tabletop” exercises or simulated breach scenarios. This identifies gaps in the planning before a real incident occurs. Audit requirements include:
- Conducting at least one major simulation annually.
- Testing technical failover and backup restoration.
- Documenting “After Action Reports” to capture improvements.
10. Audit and Continuous Improvement
Review the incident management framework as part of the formal internal audit cycle. ISO 27001 is built on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model. Ongoing actions involve:
- Updating playbooks based on lessons learned from real incidents.
- Refreshing the threat landscape analysis every six months.
- Verifying that all new assets are integrated into the monitoring scope.
Information security incident management planning and preparation FAQ
What is information security incident management planning and preparation?
Information security incident management planning is the strategic process of establishing structured protocols to detect, report, and respond to security threats. It ensures a 100% consistent response to breaches, minimising operational downtime and financial loss. Effective preparation involves defining clear escalation paths and technical recovery procedures before a crisis occurs.
How does ISO 27001 require organisations to prepare for incidents?
ISO 27001 requires organisations to establish a documented “Information Security Incident Management Policy” and assign specific roles and responsibilities. Under Annex A 5.24 (2022 version), firms must ensure 24/7 readiness by training staff to recognise and report events immediately. This preparation must include:
- Defining incident categories and severity levels.
- Establishing internal and external communication channels.
- Developing technical playbooks for containment and eradication.
- Ensuring forensic readiness for legal and regulatory evidence.
Why is incident management planning critical for business continuity?
Incident management planning is critical because it reduces the average cost of a data breach by up to 40% through rapid containment. Without a plan, 60% of small-to-medium enterprises struggle to recover within six months of a major cyber-attack. A prepared response ensures that legal obligations, such as the 72-hour GDPR reporting window, are met without fail.
What is the difference between a security event and a security incident?
A security event is an identified occurrence of a system or network state indicating a possible breach of policy, whereas a security incident is a confirmed event that has actually compromised business operations or information security. Effective planning enables teams to filter thousands of daily events to focus resources on the 1-2% of genuine incidents that require immediate intervention.
Relevant ISO 27001 Controls
The following controls from the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 standard are related to Information security incident management planning and preparation:
- ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.24 Information Security Incident Management Planning and Preparation: This is the main control. It focuses on creating a plan to handle security issues.
- ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.25 Assessment And Decision On Information Security Events: This control is about what to do during and after an incident. It covers things like reporting and fixing the problem.
- ISO 27001:2022 Annex A 5.28 Collection Of Evidence: This control is about how to gather proof during a security incident. This is important for figuring out what happened and for legal reasons.
| Related ISO 27001 Control | Relationship Description |
|---|---|
| ISO 27001 Annex A 5.24: Incident Management Planning and Preparation | Core Requirement: The primary control that mandates organizations to establish a formal process and plan for preparing for and responding to security incidents. |
| ISO 27001 Annex A 5.25: Assessment and Decision | Operational Step: Focuses on the evaluation of security events to determine if they constitute an incident and requires a formal decision-making process during a crisis. |
| ISO 27001 Annex A 5.26: Response to Incidents | Execution: The actual implementation of the steps defined in the planning phase to contain, mitigate, and recover from a confirmed security incident. |
| ISO 27001 Annex A 5.28: Collection of Evidence | Investigation Support: Requires that the incident plan include specific methods for gathering and preserving evidence for forensic or legal purposes. |
| ISO 27001 Annex A 5.5: Contact with Authorities | Reporting Requirement: Incident planning must include pre-defined contact points for legal and regulatory authorities in the event of a significant data breach. |
| Glossary: Incident | Subject Matter: Defines the negative events (like data leaks or cyber-attacks) that the planning and preparation process is specifically designed to manage. |
| Glossary: Breach | Scenario: A data breach is one of the most critical scenarios that an organization’s incident management plan must address. |
| ISO 27001 Glossary of Terms (Main Index) | Parent Directory: The central index where Incident Management Planning and Preparation is categorized as a vital preventative and responsive control. |
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