Assignment 2 Cloud Security Ensuring Confidentiality and Availability.docx | CSIS 343 - Cybersecurity
- Choose a recent cybersecurity incident related to cloud services (refer to credible
sources) and analyze how the affected organization and the CSP responded to and managed the incident. Here are some general steps you can follow to find information on recent cybersecurity
incidents:
Identify the Incident: First, determine which specific cybersecurity incident you are interested in. You can search for incidents related to cloud services, data breaches, ransomware attacks, or any other specific type of incident. Use Credible Sources: Look for information from credible sources, such as news outlets, official statements from the affected organization, CSP, or government agencies, and cybersecurity firms that may have analyzed the incident. Review News Reports: Major news outlets often cover cybersecurity incidents. Search for news articles related to the incident to understand the basic details and the initial response. Check Official Statements: Affected organizations and CSPs usually release official statements or press releases regarding the incident. These statements may provide insights into how the organizations are addressing the situation. Cybersecurity Blogs and Forums: Some cybersecurity experts and organizations maintain blogs or forums where they discuss and analyze recent incidents in detail. These can offer valuable technical insights. Cybersecurity Reports: Organizations like cybersecurity firms and government agencies often publish detailed reports on significant cybersecurity incidents. These reports provide in-depth analysis and insights into the incident and its impact. Social Media: Sometimes, updates and discussions related to incidents can be found on social media platforms. However, be cautious about relying solely on social media for information, as it may not always be accurate. Legal and Regulatory Sources: Depending on the nature of the incident, legal and regulatory bodies may provide information or reports related to the incident's aftermath and compliance issues. Remember that the response to a cybersecurity incident can vary widely depending on the nature and severity of the incident, the organization's preparedness, and the CSP's role. It may involve technical mitigation, legal and regulatory actions, public relations efforts, and more. If you have a specific incident in mind, you can provide its name or details, and I can attempt to provide more general guidance or information based on my knowledge up to September 2021. I can provide a general overview of how organizations and cloud service providers (CSPs) typically respond to and manage cybersecurity incidents related to cloud services. Keep in mind that the specifics of each incident can vary significantly, but this should give you an idea of the
common steps involved:
Detection and Initial Assessment:
Incident detection typically begins with the organization's security monitoring systems or external alerts. The organization assesses the situation to understand the scope, severity, and potential impact of the incident.
Containment:
Immediate actions are taken to stop the ongoing threat. For example, isolating affected systems or disconnecting compromised accounts.
Communication:
The organization communicates with key stakeholders, including internal teams, executives, and, in some cases, customers and regulatory bodies, depending on the incident's nature and legal requirements.
Response Plan Activation:
Organizations often have pre-defined incident response plans that outline roles, responsibilities, and steps to follow during a security incident. The plan may include coordinating with the CSP to address any issues on their end.
Forensics and Investigation:
Cybersecurity professionals conduct a detailed forensic analysis to understand how the incident occurred, what data or systems were affected, and who may be responsible.
Notification and Compliance:
Depending on the nature of the incident, the affected organization may be legally required to notify affected parties and regulatory authorities, as well as to comply with data protection regulations.
Mitigation:
Once the incident is contained, steps are taken to remediate vulnerabilities and ensure that the incident cannot recur. This may involve patching systems, changing passwords, and improving security configurations.
Cloud Service Provider (CSP) Involvement:
If the incident is related to the CSP's infrastructure or services, the organization works closely with the CSP to identify the root cause and implement corrective measures. The CSP may provide logs and information to aid in the investigation.
Public Relations:
Organizations often manage public relations to control the narrative and maintain trust with customers and partners.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
The organization must adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. This can include reporting to regulatory bodies, cooperating with law enforcement, and handling legal actions against perpetrators.
Lessons Learned:
After the incident, organizations conduct a post-incident review to understand what went wrong and how to improve their security posture.
Improvement and Resilience:
Based on the lessons learned, organizations make necessary improvements to their security policies, procedures, and technologies to enhance their overall resilience. It's important to note that a well-prepared organization will have an incident response plan in place to facilitate these steps efficiently. Additionally, cooperation and coordination with the CSP are crucial when the incident involves cloud services, as the CSP plays a critical role in addressing the issue.