Incident Response Capability Research Articles

Incident response: A structured model from detection to containment and recovery

As cyber-attacks evolve in sophistication; organizations are under constant threat. This necessitates a cohesive approach to prioritize incident response (IR) capabilities and mitigate potential damages. This research paper explores integrating Information Security Management (ISM) and Incident Response (IR) functions; underlining the need for a unified strategy that leverages organizational learning theory. The study comprehensively analyzes the Incident Response Lifecycle; outlining the critical phases of preparation; detection and analysis; containment; eradication; recovery; and post-incident activities. It also investigates the crucial role and structure of Incident Response Teams (IRTs); advocating for tailored team formations that adapt to the dynamic nature of cyber incidents. By fostering collaboration between ISM and IR functions and focusing on technical and socio-technical factors; organizations can enhance their resilience against cyber threats and improve their overall security posture.

The impact of ISO security standards on enhancing cybersecurity posture in organizations

The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats have made organizations need to adopt robust cybersecurity frameworks. ISO security standards, particularly the ISO/IEC 27000 series, play a critical role in enhancing organizations' cybersecurity posture worldwide. These standards provide a systematic approach to managing sensitive information, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. ISO/IEC 27001, which focuses on establishing an Information Security Management System (ISMS), is widely recognized for its ability to help organizations identify, manage, and mitigate cybersecurity risks. By adopting ISO standards, organizations benefit from improved risk management, enhanced incident response capabilities, and stronger alignment with regulatory compliance requirements, such as GDPR and HIPAA. In addition, ISO security standards promote a security-first culture within organizations, fostering greater employee awareness and encouraging the consistent implementation of best practices across departments and regions. The adoption of standards like ISO/IEC 27001 (Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection), ISO/IEC 27018 (Code of practice for protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds acting as PII processors), ISO/IEC 27017 (code of practice for information security controls based on ISO/IEC 27002 for Cloud services), ISO/IEC 27015 (Information security management guidelines for financial services) ISO/IEC 27002 (Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection - Information security controls), and ISO/IEC 27701 (Security techniques- Extension to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27002 for privacy information management – requirements and guidelines) has demonstrated significant improvements in data protection, especially in industries handling sensitive personal or financial data. Despite their benefits, implementing ISO standards poses challenges, such as resource constraints, scalability, and the need for continuous updates. As the threat landscape evolves, ISO security standards will remain integral to developing a proactive cybersecurity strategy, integrating with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and IoT. The global adoption of these standards reflects their pivotal role in securing the digital infrastructure of modern organizations.

Security in the era of wireless innovations: analysis of potential threats and protective measures

In today's interconnected world, wireless data transmission technologies have seamlessly integrated into the fabric of modern business operations. As reliance on these technologies grows, so does the imperative to ensure robust cyber security measures. Particularly in the age of wireless innovations, exemplified by the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), the discourse surrounding the security of wireless technologies underscores the necessity of comprehending both established threats and the continuous emergence of new vulnerabilities. This underscores the urgent need for timely detection and mitigation strategies. While the convenience afforded by wireless data transmission technologies grants society unprecedented access to information and facilitates the management of diverse devices, processes, and systems, it also exposes users and modern information and communication systems (ICS) to significant cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Consequently, there arises a pressing need to address these challenges comprehensively. This research dissects contemporary methodologies aimed at restricting access to wireless networks, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and crafting effective responses to cyberattacks. It delves into various facets of cyber security, including data encryption, user authentication mechanisms, traffic monitoring protocols, and anomaly detection algorithms. Furthermore, it delves into the crucial aspect of educating personnel on wireless security practices, equipping them with threat awareness and incident response capabilities. Given the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity technologies and threats, this work seeks to establish a foundational understanding of the security landscape within wireless networks. By doing so, it aims to outline pragmatic strategies for effectively managing security risks, thereby fortifying the resilience of modern organizations and safeguarding critical information assets.

Enhancing Metaward: Integrating Digital Forensic Readiness in the Metaverse

As virtual currencies gain traction as rewards and with the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work environments, the need for adaptive and comprehensive reward systems becomes imperative. This research builds upon the foundation laid in prior studies, focusing on the integration of Digital Forensic Readiness (DFR) into the Metaward reward model, within the Metaverse. However, as more individuals engage with and use the Metaverse, it is crucial to implement DFR to the Metaverse. The problem of this research is the absence of DFR processes integrated into the Metaverse, particularly within the context of the Metaward reward system. With the increasing importance of cybersecurity and digital forensics (DF) in organizational operations, the integration of such measures aims to enhance the security and integrity of the Metaward model. This enhancement aims to ensure a proactive and effective response to potential security incidents, while maintaining the integrity of digital evidence. This research employs a comprehensive methodology, encompassing literature review, analysis of DF measures, and the development of an extended conceptual model. By considering factors such as the security implications of virtual currencies, incident response capabilities, and proactive DF measures, the study seeks to provide insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of this augmented reward model. The proposed model acknowledges the significance of balancing motivation and engagement with the imperative need for robust DFR. It explores potential synergies between these seemingly different elements, aiming to create a reward system that not only motivates employees but also ensures the resilience and security of the organizational digital infrastructure. This study's findings hold promise for organizations navigating the complex terrain of modern work paradigms, offering a strategic approach to bolstering employee motivation, engagement, and DFR. The conclusion reflects on the implications of the proposed integration and outlines avenues for further research in the dynamic intersection of virtual currencies, reward systems, and DF.

Cybersecurity Maturity of Turkey: An Assessment with ENISA’s National Capabilities Assessment Framework (NCAF)

In this study, Turkey's cybersecurity maturity level was assessed using the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity's (ENISA) National Capabilities Assessment Framework (NCAF). The results of other global cybersecurity indices for Turkey were also given to support the NCAF assessment. Additionally, Turkey’s organizations, legal framework, public and private sector, academic landscape, incident response capabilities and military capabilities were presented through an extensive literature review. In this respect, this is the most up-to-date cybersecurity capability analysis of Turkey in English. According to the findings from NCAF assessment, Turkey has high level of cybersecurity maturity level while there are various areas that need improvement, including supply chain security, contingency strategies, education and training, security and trustworthiness of digital identity and public digital services. The methodology and findings of this study can serve as a reference for researchers to measure the cybersecurity levels of other countries.

Estimating Malware Impact on Network Traffic Analysis by Using Wireshark

With the increasing prevalence of advanced cyber threats, there is a growing need for effective cybersecurity measures that can detect and visualize malware attacks. This research introduces an integrated approach that combines malware detection techniques with geospatial visualization methods to enhance the identification and analysis of cyber-attacks. By analyzing packets in the HTTP protocol, we identify suspicious file transfers and compute their hash values for further examination. To assess the threat level of these transferred files, we utilize the Virus Total platform to conduct comprehensive scans for malware. At the same time, by utilizing geolocation data, we map out both the origins and destinations of these attacks, providing valuable spatial context for understanding global patterns in cyber threats. In addition to enabling the identification of potentially harmful files, the proposed approach also provides a comprehensive visualization of how these threats are spread geographically. Our findings contribute to advancing cybersecurity strategies by facilitating proactive threat mitigation and enhancing incident response capabilities. The integration of malware detection, hash analysis, and geospatial visualization emphasizes the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach in strengthening network security infrastructure.

The Importance of Red Team Exercises in VAPT for Proactive Cybersecurity

This research paper explores the integration of Red Team Exercises into Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) as a proactive cybersecurity measure. Red Team Exercises, simulating cyber-attacks, play a crucial role in identifying vulnerabilities and testing incident response capabilities. Proactive cybersecurity is emphasized for anticipating and preventing breaches, reducing cyber risks, and showcasing the value of preemptive measures. The benefits of incorporating Red Team Exercises into VAPT include uncovering hidden vulnerabilities, realistic cyber-attack simulations, and enhanced incident response capabilities. Challenges such as resource requirements and potential operational impacts are addressed. Case studies featuring Microsoft and Google illustrate successful implementations, while lessons from incidents like the Equifax data breach underscore practical applications. Best practices, integration guidelines, and considerations for future trends in cybersecurity provide a comprehensive guide for organizations seeking to fortify their defences against evolving cyber threats

Enhancing Cloud Compliance: A Machine Learning Approach

The intersection of machine learning (ML) and cloud computing presents significant opportunities to enhance cloud compliance and security practices. This research paper explores the role of ML in improving cloud compliance, focusing on proactive threat detection, automated incident response, and adaptive security controls. The importance of ML-driven approaches lies in their ability to analyse large datasets, detect anomalies, and mitigate risks in dynamic cloud environments. Methods employed include case studies and experiments showcasing real-world applications of ML in cloud security, such as Google Cloud's Context-Aware Access and AWS GuardDuty for threat detection. Experimental findings demonstrate the effectiveness of ML models in reducing mean time to detect (MTTD) security incidents and improving incident response capabilities. Results highlight the transformative impact of ML technologies in bolstering cloud security effectiveness and resilience. ML-powered compliance monitoring systems, like Netflix's, have significantly improved compliance posture while reducing operational costs. Implications of this research include enhanced security governance, reduced compliance risks, and improved operational efficiencies within cloud infrastructures. Future directions entail exploring advanced ML techniques, addressing ethical considerations, and integrating ML-driven security frameworks into holistic cloud governance strategies.

An approach based on hexagram model for quantifying security risks with Performance Key Indicators (PKI)

As organizations grapple with an ever-evolving threat landscape, the need for effective security risk quantification methodologies becomes paramount. This research paper introduces and explores a novel approach to security risk quantification through the application of a hexagram model. Drawing inspiration from the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text, this hexagram model encompasses six key elements: Threat Landscape, Vulnerability Analysis, Asset Criticality, Control Effectiveness, Incident Response Capability, and Business Impact. By dividing these elements into two trigrams, a comprehensive view of external and internal factors influencing security risk emerges. The literature review examines existing security risk quantification methods, highlighting their strengths and limitations. The hexagram model's uniqueness lies in its holistic representation, integrating technical and organizational facets. The paper details the methodology, providing a clear framework for application. A practical case study demonstrates the model's implementation, showcasing its efficacy in real-world security assessments. Results and analysis reveal valuable insights into the security risk landscape, with comparisons to traditional quantification methods illustrating the hexagram model's added depth. The discussion interprets findings in the context of the security domain, addressing implications and areas for improvement. The paper concludes by summarizing key contributions, emphasizing the significance of the hexagram model in providing a nuanced understanding of security risk. Recommendations for future research underscore the potential for further refinement and broader adoption of this innovative approach.

ISO 27001 IN BANKING: AN EVALUATION OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS IN ENHANCING INFORMATION SECURITY

As the banking industry becomes increasingly reliant on digital technologies and faces evolving cyber threats, the adoption of robust information security frameworks is imperative. ISO 27001, a globally recognized standard for information security management systems, has gained prominence as a comprehensive framework for safeguarding sensitive data. This study explores the implementation and effectiveness of ISO 27001 within the banking sector, evaluating its impact on enhancing information security. It delves into the specific challenges and considerations unique to the banking industry, where the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of financial information are paramount. It examines the motivations behind adopting ISO 27001, the process of implementation, and the associated organizational changes required to align with the standard's principles. A critical aspect of the evaluation involves assessing the tangible benefits and outcomes resulting from ISO 27001 implementation. This includes improvements in risk management, incident response capabilities, and the overall resilience of information security controls within banking environments. The study also investigates the role of ISO 27001 in fostering a culture of security awareness among banking employees and stakeholders. Ethical considerations, compliance challenges, and the balance between security and operational efficiency are examined to provide a holistic perspective on the standard's impact. It concludes with insights into the future of ISO 27001 adoption in the banking sector, considering emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and the evolving nature of cyber threats. This research contributes valuable insights into the effectiveness of ISO 27001 as a strategic framework for information security in banking, offering practical implications for industry practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders invested in fortifying the digital resilience of financial institutions
 Keywords: ISO 27001, Banking, Information Security, Ethical, Financial Institution.

Assessing the Factors Influencing Cybersecurity Effectiveness: A PLS-SEM Approach

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, the imperative of robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data, systems, and operations cannot be overstated. This research undertakes a comprehensive evaluation of the intricate factors that collectively contribute to cybersecurity effectiveness within organizational contexts. Employing the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology, this research dissect the complex relationships among pivotal constructs including Security Measures Effectiveness, Incident Response Capability, Vulnerability Management, User Training Impact, Security Policy Adherence, External Threat Mitigation, Data Protection Effectiveness, and System Resilience. Through data derived from surveys and meticulous assessments, our analysis utilizes PLS-SEM to quantitatively scrutinize how these constructs interconnect and impact the overarching goal of cybersecurity: the proactive prevention, swift detection, and effective mitigation of cyber threats. By elucidating the constructs with the most significant influence, our study not only enhances scholarly discourse but also empowers organizations to refine cybersecurity strategies, strengthen user training initiatives, and implement robust policies in alignment with the ever-adapting threat landscape. Ultimately, this research furnishes organizations with insights to bolster their cybersecurity defenses, fortify digital assets, and counteract the escalating sophistication of cyber threats.

Securing the Network: A Red and Blue Cybersecurity Competition Case Study

In today’s dynamic and evolving digital landscape, safeguarding network infrastructure against cyber threats has become a paramount concern for organizations worldwide. This paper presents a novel and practical approach to enhancing cybersecurity readiness. The competition, designed as a simulated cyber battleground, involves a Red Team emulating attackers and a Blue Team defending against their orchestrated assaults. Over two days, multiple teams engage in strategic maneuvers to breach and fortify digital defenses. The core objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of the Red and Blue cybersecurity competition in fostering real-world incident response capabilities and honing the skills of cybersecurity practitioners. This paper delves into the competition’s structural framework, including the intricate network architecture and the roles of the participating teams. This study gauges the competition’s impact on enhancing teamwork and incident response strategies by analyzing participant performance data and outcomes. The findings underscore the significance of immersive training experiences in cultivating proactive cybersecurity mindsets. Participants not only showcase heightened proficiency in countering cyber threats but also develop a profound understanding of attacker methodologies. Furthermore, the competition fosters an environment of continuous learning and knowledge exchange, propelling participants toward heightened cyber resilience.

Operations-informed incident response playbooks

Cyber security incident response playbooks are critical for establishing an effective incident response capability within organizations. We identify a significant conceptual gap in the current research and practice of cyber security playbook design: the lack of ability to communicate the operational impact of an incident and of incident response on an organization. In this paper, we present a mechanism to address the gap by introducing the operational context into an incident response playbook. This conceptual contribution calls for a shift from playbooks that consist only of process models to playbooks that consist of process models closely linked with a model of operations. We describe a novel approach to embed a model of operations into the incident response playbook and link it with the playbook's incident response activities. This allows to reflect, in an accurate and systematic way, the interdependencies and mutual influences of incident response activities on operations and vice versa. The approach includes the use of a new metric for evaluating the change in operations in coordination with critical thresholds, supporting decision-making during cyber security incident response. We demonstrate the application of the proposed approach to playbook design in the context of a ransomware attack incident response, using a newly developed open-source tool.

SecureLog: Open-Source Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Solution for Enhanced Threat Detection and Incident Response

Purpose of the study: As organizations face increasingly sophisticated and persistent cyber threats, the need for robust Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions becomes paramount. This paper presents "SecureLog," an open-source SIEM solution designed to enhance threat detection and incident response capabilities.
 Methodology: This paper explores the architecture and components of SecureLog, detailing its data collection and log management capabilities. It examines the threat detection algorithms employed, emphasizing real-time event correlation and alerting mechanisms. The paper addresses the scalability and performance considerations associated with deploying SecureLog in large-scale environments.
 Main Findings: The findings highlight the benefits of using fuzzy logic in cyber threat intelligence and pave the way for further research and development in this promising field. The future prospects and challenges of integrating fuzzy logic with other advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
 Applications of this study: SecureLog emerges as a valuable open-source SIEM solution, empowering organizations with enhanced threat detection and incident response capabilities. With its feature-rich architecture and active community support, SecureLog proves to be a reliable choice for organizations seeking to fortify their cybersecurity defences.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The paper also includes practical use cases and case studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of SecureLog in enhancing threat detection and incident response. Security and compliance considerations, including data privacy and regulatory compliance, are examined, along with recommendations for securing the SecureLog deployment.

The role of information and psychological operations in the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis

The article shows the importance and increasing role of the information and psychological warfare factor as the Ukrainian crisis escalates. The role of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine in the informational and psychological confrontation is noted. The structure and functionality of the 16th, 72nd, 74th and 83rd centers of information and psychological operations of the Special operations Forces of Ukraine are considered. The main functions of these centers are shown, such as intelligence and subversive activities, identification of internal opponents, disinformation of the population, information terrorism, demoralization of citizens of Donbass, etc. The tools used by the centers of information and psychological operations in their activities are considered, in addition to the official media, several thousand Internet resources, information and news sites, coordinated groups of users of social networks and individual "platforms" in social networks are used. The role of the NATO Coordination Center for Responding to Computer Incidents (NCIRC — NATO Computer Incident Response Capability), the NATO Center of Excellence for Joint Cyber Defense (NATO CCD COE — NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence — Tallinn) and the cyber operations center in Mons (Belgium) is noted.

A Cyber Incident Response and Recovery Framework to Support Operators of Industrial Control Systems

Over the last decade, we have seen a shift in the focus of cyber attacks, moving from traditional IT systems to include more specialised Industrial Control Systems (ICS), often found within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). Despite a push from governments to introduce appropriate legislation and guidance for such systems, operators of ICS and CNI still face multiple challenges in their cyber incident response and recovery capabilities, a theme that is often viewed as a last line of defence in minimising the impact of cyber attacks. This paper provides the following contributions: Firstly, we analyse existing standards and guidelines within cyber incident response and recovery. This analysis provides a structure on key response and recovery phases, a foundational understanding of associated requirements for these, and identifies challenges that could affect the quality of in-practice response and recovery capabilities. Using this analysis as a baseline, we examine how response and recovery processes are currently undertaken in practice through engagement with UK-based CNI operators and regulators. Secondly, as a starting point towards improving identified challenges in existing standards and guidelines and their use in practice, we propose a framework, built using the outputs identified from the document analysis and the stakeholder engagement, for use by operators to support them in assessing and improving their response and recovery capabilities.

CTI-SOC2M2 – The quest for mature, intelligence-driven security operations and incident response capabilities

Threats, cyber attacks, and security incidents pertain to organizations of all types. Everyday information security is essentially defined by the maturity of security operations and incident response capabilities. However, focusing on internal information only has proven insufficient in an ever-changing threat landscape. Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) and its sharing are deemed necessary to cope with advanced threats and strongly influence security capabilities. Therefore, in this work, we develop CTI-SOC2M2, a capability maturity model that uses the degree of CTI integration as a proxy for SOC service maturity. In the course, we examine existing maturity models in the domains of Security Operations Centers (SOCs), incident response, and CTI. In search of adequate maturity assessment, we show threat intelligence dependencies through applicable data formats. As the systematic development of maturity models demands, our mixed methodology approach contributes a new in-depth analysis of intelligence-driven security operations. The resulting CTI-SOC2M2 model contains CTI formats, SOC services and is complemented with an evaluation through expert interviews. A prototypical, tool-based implementation is aimed to document steps towards the model’s practical application.

How can organizations develop situation awareness for incident response: A case study of management practice

Organized, sophisticated and persistent cyber-threat-actors pose a significant challenge to large, high-value organizations. They are capable of disrupting and destroying cyber infrastructures, denying organizations access to IT services, and stealing sensitive information including intellectual property, trade secrets and customer data. Past research points to Situation Awareness as critical to effective response. However, most research has focused on the technological perspective with comparatively less focus on the practice perspective. We therefore present an in-depth case study of a leading financial organization with a well-resourced and mature incident response capability that has evolved as a result of experiences with past attacks. Our contribution is a process model that explains how organizations can practice situation awareness of the cyber-threat landscape and the broad business context in incident response.

NATO’s new strategic concept in cybersecurity issues in the context of up-to-the date vulnerability and threat information

The focus of the article revolves around NATO’s roadmap of smart defense against cyber attacks as the bedrock of Euro-Atlantic security. The author discloses NATO’S new policy and cutting-edge technical initiatives, aimed at focusing on countering global threats and cyber security challenges. It is stressed out, that new ideas towards a more synergetic approach between all the NATO Cyber Defense agencies should be explored to develop a shared framework for cybersecurity that might provide up-to-the date intelligence in order to ensure the development, acquisition and maintenance of the necessary military capabilities. The research highlights the core aspects of the 2010 Lisbon Summit that adopted NATO’s Strategic Concept ‘Active Engagement, Modern Defense: Strategic Concept for the Members of the North Atlantic. Treaty Organization’, that recognizes Cyber Defense as one of its strategic priorities. In particular, to foster Allied Nations’ cooperative efforts to counter terrorism, cyber attacks, prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Reinforce energy security and environmental constraints. Develop the capacity to contribute to energy security, including protection of critical energy infrastructure and transit areas and lines, cooperation with partners, and consultations among Allies on the basis of trategic assessments and contingency planning; In July 2011, NATO Defense Ministers adopted revised NATO Policy on Cyber Defense, which highlighted three areas: • The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, which involve the assistance provided only upon request, in any other cases, the principle of selfresponsibility of sovereign states is applied; • Avoiding unnecessary duplication of the structures or capabilities and approaches on the international, regional and national levels; • Collaboration based on trust, with regard to the potential sensitivity and vulnerability of the system, the access to which has to be given. After the 2014 Wales Summit, in the revised NATO Cyber Defense Policy, cyber threats were identified as a potential prerequisite for collective defense under the Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. Noteworthy, Cyber Security is responsible for providing the broad spectrum of services in the following specialist security areas: CIS Security, Cyber Defense, Information Assurance, and Computer & Communications Security. Cyber defense is provided by many Alliance bodies: any NATO response concerning collective defense against cyber attacks will be subordinated to the North Atlantic Council (NAC), The Cyber Defense Committee (CDC) – the leading advisory body of the NAC. The executive level is represented by The Cyber Defense Management Board (CDMB), NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency), Cyber Security incorporates the NATO Computer Incident Response Capability (NCIRC) Technical Centre, providing specialist services to prevent, detect, respond to and recover from cyber security incidents.

Cybersecurity incident response capabilities in the Ecuadorian financial sector

Cybersecurity incident response capabilities in the Ecuadorian financial sector