CRA Policy Template

Forensics and Incident Analysis Policy

1. Introduction

Purpose and Scope: This Forensics and Incident Analysis Policy outlines the procedures for investigating and analyzing security incidents and conducting forensic investigations within [Organization Name]. The policy aims to understand the root cause of security incidents, minimize their impact, improve the organization's overall security posture, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and the Canadian Risk Assessment (CRA) framework. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and third-party vendors who access or handle the organization's information systems and data.

Relevance to CRA: This policy directly supports the CRA framework by establishing a structured approach to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks related to security incidents. By following this policy, the organization demonstrates its commitment to proactively managing and reducing its cybersecurity risk profile, fulfilling its obligations under the CRA framework and relevant legislation. It specifically addresses aspects of risk identification, assessment, treatment, monitoring, and reporting.

2. Key Components

This Forensics and Incident Analysis Policy includes the following key components:

  • Incident Response Plan: Details the steps to take when an incident occurs.

  • Forensic Investigation Procedures: Outlines the methodology for conducting thorough investigations.

  • Evidence Handling and Preservation: Specifies procedures for collecting, preserving, and handling digital evidence.

  • Root Cause Analysis: Describes the process for determining the underlying causes of incidents.

  • Reporting and Communication: Defines the process for reporting incidents internally and externally.

  • Remediation and Prevention: Outlines steps to fix vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents.

  • Training and Awareness: Specifies training requirements for personnel involved in incident response and forensics.

3. Detailed Content

3.1 Incident Response Plan:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section details the stages of incident response (preparation, identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident activity). It includes contact lists, escalation procedures, and communication protocols.

  • Best Practices: Establish clear roles and responsibilities, utilize automated tools for detection and response, conduct regular tabletop exercises, and maintain up-to-date documentation.

  • Example: If a phishing email is detected (identification), the IT security team (designated responders) will immediately quarantine the email (containment), analyze the email for malicious code (eradication), and notify affected users (communication). A full report will be generated and remedial action (e.g., security awareness training) will be implemented.

  • Common Pitfalls: Lack of clear roles, insufficient training, delayed response times, inadequate documentation.

3.2 Forensic Investigation Procedures:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section outlines the steps involved in conducting a forensic investigation, including acquiring evidence, analyzing data, documenting findings, and preparing reports. It specifies acceptable forensic tools and techniques.

  • Best Practices: Adhere to established forensic methodologies, use chain-of-custody procedures, maintain detailed logs, and employ validated forensic tools.

  • Example: Investigation of a suspected data breach involves creating a forensic image of affected systems (acquisition), analyzing network logs for suspicious activity (analysis), documenting all steps taken (documentation), and producing a report outlining the breach's scope, impact, and root cause (reporting).

  • Common Pitfalls: Compromising evidence through improper handling, insufficient documentation, lack of expertise in forensic techniques.

3.3 Evidence Handling and Preservation:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section defines procedures for collecting, preserving, and handling digital evidence, including maintaining chain of custody, ensuring data integrity, and using appropriate storage methods.

  • Best Practices: Utilize secure hashing algorithms, employ write-blocking tools, store evidence in secure, tamper-evident containers, and follow legal and regulatory requirements.

  • Example: A compromised laptop is collected using a chain-of-custody form. A forensic image is created, and the original drive is stored in a secure evidence locker. All actions are logged meticulously.

  • Common Pitfalls: Accidental data modification, loss or destruction of evidence, failure to maintain chain of custody.

3.4 Root Cause Analysis:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section describes the methodology for determining the underlying causes of security incidents using techniques like the "five whys" or fault tree analysis.

  • Best Practices: Use structured methodologies, involve multiple stakeholders, document findings thoroughly, and develop corrective actions.

  • Example: Following a denial-of-service attack, the root cause analysis reveals a vulnerability in the web server's configuration (why did it happen?), which allowed attackers to exploit it (why was it exploitable?), leading to server overload (why was the server overloaded?), because of inadequate capacity planning (why was capacity planning inadequate?), resulting from insufficient resource allocation (why was resource allocation insufficient?).

  • Common Pitfalls: Failing to identify the root cause, focusing solely on symptoms, neglecting to implement corrective actions.

3.5 Reporting and Communication:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section defines procedures for reporting incidents internally and externally, including escalation paths, communication protocols, and reporting templates.

  • Best Practices: Use clear and concise language, provide timely updates, and maintain accurate records.

  • Example: A security incident report is generated, detailing the incident's nature, impact, and remediation steps. This is escalated to senior management and relevant regulatory bodies as required.

  • Common Pitfalls: Delayed or incomplete reporting, inadequate communication, failure to inform stakeholders.

3.6 Remediation and Prevention:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section outlines steps for fixing vulnerabilities and preventing future incidents, including patching systems, implementing security controls, and updating policies.

  • Best Practices: Prioritize remediation efforts based on risk, implement preventive controls, and monitor effectiveness.

  • Example: Following a phishing attack, security awareness training is implemented, multi-factor authentication is enabled, and email filtering is enhanced.

  • Common Pitfalls: Failing to implement corrective actions, insufficient testing of remediation measures.

3.7 Training and Awareness:

  • In-depth Explanation: This section details training requirements for personnel involved in incident response and forensics.

  • Best Practices: Provide regular training, conduct simulations and exercises, and keep training materials up-to-date.

  • Example: Annual security awareness training for all employees and specialized forensic training for IT security personnel.

  • Common Pitfalls: Inadequate training, outdated training materials, lack of reinforcement.

4. Implementation Guidelines

  • Step-by-step process: Develop a detailed implementation plan, including timelines, resource allocation, and communication strategies. Conduct training for all relevant personnel. Pilot test the policy in a controlled environment before full deployment.

  • Roles and responsibilities: Clearly define roles and responsibilities for incident response and forensic investigation teams, including incident handlers, forensic investigators, and communication officers.

5. Monitoring and Review

  • Monitoring Effectiveness: Track key metrics such as incident response time, mean time to recovery, and the number of security incidents. Regularly review incident reports and post-incident activity reviews.

  • Frequency and Process: The policy should be reviewed and updated at least annually or more frequently if significant changes occur in the organization's IT infrastructure, security environment, or regulatory landscape. This review should involve key stakeholders, including IT security personnel, legal counsel, and senior management.

6. Related Documents

  • Security Policy

  • Acceptable Use Policy

  • Data Breach Response Plan

  • Privacy Policy

  • Business Continuity Plan

7. Compliance Considerations

  • Specific CRA clauses/controls: This policy addresses several key aspects of the CRA framework, including risk assessment, risk treatment, incident management, and compliance reporting. Specific controls addressed will depend on the organization’s risk assessment.

  • Legal and regulatory requirements: This policy must comply with all relevant Canadian privacy laws, such as PIPEDA, and other applicable federal and provincial legislation. It should also consider international standards like ISO 27001.

This template provides a robust framework for a CRA-compliant Forensics and Incident Analysis Policy. Remember to tailor it to your organization's specific needs and context, consult with legal counsel, and regularly update it to reflect changes in the threat landscape and regulatory environment. The inclusion of specific CRA controls should be determined based on your organization’s risk assessment and the associated control objectives.

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