The agency should develop a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) or an Incident Response Plan (IRP), which will serve as a comprehensive guide for the procedures, contacts, and resources available to address security incidents and unscheduled downtime. Below are key components that should be included in these plans:
1. Introduction and Purpose
- State the purpose of the plan, including its importance for maintaining operations during emergencies.
2. Scope
- Define the scope of the plan, including which parts of the organization it covers, such as specific departments, systems, or types of incidents.
3. Incident Identification and Classification
- Establish criteria for identifying and classifying incidents to determine the appropriate response level.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
- List key personnel and their roles in incident response, including:
- Incident Response Team members
- IT and Security personnel
- Communications and Public Relations coordinators
- Include alternate contacts for key positions.
5. Contact Information
- Create a directory with contact information for:
- Internal stakeholders (executives, IT staff, legal counsel)
- External contacts (law enforcement, cybersecurity consultants, vendors)
- Emergency services
6. Incident Response Procedures
- Outline step-by-step procedures for responding to various types of incidents, such as:
- Data breaches
- System outages
- Natural disasters
- Include guidelines for incident detection, reporting, escalation, investigation, containment, eradication, and recovery.
7. Communication Plan
- Detail how communication will occur during an incident:
- Who will communicate with whom
- How information will be disseminated internally and externally
- Templates for notifications
8. Resources and Tools
- List resources available for incident management, including:
- Hardware and software tools for detection and response
- Data backups and recovery solutions
- Physical resources (e.g., relocation sites)
9. Training and Drills
- Outline a plan for regular training and tabletop exercises to ensure staff are familiar with procedures and to identify areas for improvement.
10. Plan Maintenance and Review
- Specify how often the plan will be reviewed and updated, and who will be responsible for maintaining it.
11. Appendices
- Include additional materials such as checklists, flowcharts, and templates for incident documentation.
By developing a structured Business Continuity Plan or Incident Response Plan that addresses these elements, the government agency will be better equipped to manage security incidents and minimize downtime efficiently.