Our "Incident Management Process Template" systematically guides you through identifying, handling, resolving and reviewing business incidents for continuous improvement.
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Identify the incident
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Log the incident details
3
Assign severity level to the incident
4
Notify relevant stakeholders about the incident
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Allocate the incident to a respective incident handler
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Approval: Incident Handler Assignment
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Isolate the affected system or network if necessary
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Investigate the cause of the incident
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Document findings from the investigation
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Establish an incident response plan
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Execute the response plan
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Monitor the results after execution of response plan
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Approval: Incident Resolution
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Communicate the incident resolution to all stakeholders
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Review the incident management process
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Identify process improvements for future incidents
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Update the incident database
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Prepare the incident report
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Approval: Incident Report
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Close the incident
Identify the incident
This task involves identifying the incident that has occurred. The goal is to gather information about the incident, such as the time and location of occurrence, and the parties involved. The results of this task will be used to further investigate the incident and determine its severity level.
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Breach
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Malware
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Data Loss
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Physical Damage
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Other
Log the incident details
In this task, the incident details will be logged into the incident management system. This includes recording information such as the date and time of the incident, the person reporting it, and any initial observations or evidence. The purpose of this task is to create a record of the incident for future reference and analysis.
Assign severity level to the incident
This task involves assessing the severity level of the incident. The severity level determines the urgency and priority of the incident response. By assigning the appropriate severity level, the incident can be prioritized for effective response and resolution.
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Low
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Medium
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High
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Critical
Notify relevant stakeholders about the incident
This task involves notifying relevant stakeholders about the incident. The purpose of this task is to ensure that all necessary parties are informed about the incident so that appropriate actions can be taken. Notify stakeholders such as management, IT department, or affected users.
Allocate the incident to a respective incident handler
This task involves assigning the incident to a respective incident handler. The role of the incident handler is to take ownership of the incident, coordinate the incident response, and ensure that it is resolved in a timely manner. By allocating the incident to a dedicated handler, accountability and efficiency in handling the incident can be ensured.
Approval: Incident Handler Assignment
Will be submitted for approval:
Assign severity level to the incident
Will be submitted
Isolate the affected system or network if necessary
If deemed necessary, isolate the affected system or network to prevent further damage or spread of the incident. The purpose of this task is to contain the incident and minimize its impact on other systems or networks. Take precautions such as disabling network access, disconnecting affected devices, or implementing network segmentation.
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Disable network access
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Disconnect affected devices
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Implement network segmentation
Investigate the cause of the incident
This task involves investigating the cause of the incident. The goal is to determine the root cause of the incident in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Conduct a thorough analysis, gather evidence, and interview relevant parties to identify the underlying cause.
Document findings from the investigation
In this task, the findings from the investigation will be documented. The purpose of this task is to create a record of the investigation process and its results. Document any evidence gathered, the identified cause of the incident, and any recommendations for improvement.
Establish an incident response plan
This task involves creating an incident response plan. The incident response plan outlines the steps to be taken in response to future incidents, based on the lessons learned from the current incident. The purpose of this task is to ensure preparedness and a systematic approach to incident response.
Execute the response plan
This task involves executing the incident response plan. Follow the steps outlined in the response plan to address the incident and mitigate its impact. This may involve coordination with various teams or stakeholders, implementing security measures, or deploying backup systems.
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Notify stakeholders
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Implement security measures
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Deploy backup systems
Monitor the results after execution of response plan
This task involves monitoring the results after the execution of the response plan. The purpose of this task is to assess the effectiveness of the response actions and ensure that the incident has been successfully resolved. Monitor the system or network for any signs of recurrence or new vulnerabilities.
Approval: Incident Resolution
Will be submitted for approval:
Execute the response plan
Will be submitted
Communicate the incident resolution to all stakeholders
This task involves communicating the incident resolution to all stakeholders. Notify relevant parties about the successful resolution of the incident, provide an overview of the actions taken, and address any concerns or questions. The purpose of this task is to maintain transparency and keep stakeholders informed.
Review the incident management process
In this task, the incident management process will be reviewed. Evaluate the effectiveness of the incident management process, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and gather feedback from the incident handler and stakeholders. The purpose of this task is to continuously improve the incident management process and enhance incident response capabilities.
Identify process improvements for future incidents
This task involves identifying process improvements for future incidents. Analyze the findings from the incident investigation and review, and identify areas where the incident management process can be enhanced. This may include updating procedures, implementing new technologies, or providing additional training.
Update the incident database
In this task, the incident information will be updated in the incident database. The purpose of this task is to maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of all incidents. Log any new information or updates related to the incident, such as additional findings, resolution details, or lessons learned.
Prepare the incident report
This task involves preparing the incident report. Compile all relevant information about the incident, including details about its occurrence, response actions taken, investigation findings, and recommendations for improvement. The incident report is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the incident for documentation and analysis purposes.
Approval: Incident Report
Will be submitted for approval:
Prepare the incident report
Will be submitted
Close the incident
This task involves closing the incident. Once the incident has been resolved, the incident handler can officially close the incident. This includes updating the incident status, notifying stakeholders about the closure, and archiving or storing all relevant incident documentation.
