In this Cyber Security Tribe member spotlight article, Dorene Rettas, Co-Founder of Cyber Security Tribe, delves into the world of incident response with Paul Carpenito, the Head of Information Security at Loews Corporation.
With over two decades of experience in information security and a member of the Cybersecurity Tribe community, Carpenito shares his expertise and thoughts on the evolving landscape of cyber threats and the critical need for a robust incident response strategy.
The Changing Role of Security Leaders
Carpenito highlights how the role of security leaders has evolved significantly. Rather than solely focusing on prevention, the emphasis now lies in efficient response mechanisms. Drawing parallels to law enforcement, where the primary focus is on responding to incidents, he highlights that in the cybersecurity realm, preparedness for incidents, regardless of their scale, is paramount.
The conversation touches upon Carpenito's recent report for Cyber Security Tribe, 'The Executive's Cybersecurity Incident Response Playbook'. He underscores the necessity for organizations to be well-prepared to respond effectively to cybersecurity incidents and the report aims to consolidate essential components, encouraging organizations to refine their incident response plans for better actionability.
The Importance of Effective Response Teams
Carpenito stresses the importance of establishing effective response teams. For example the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirement for companies to report incidents within four days once they become material. He emphasizes the need for companies to define what 'material' means for them and advises the formation of a committee for determining materiality.
In addition to this, you can run tabletop exercises and simulations for both technical and business-focused scenarios. The importance of these exercises helps ensure collaboration, the understanding of roles, and decision-making processes during incidents.
Strategic Communication During Incidents
Addressing the sensitive issue of communication during incidents, Carpenito emphasizes the need for a clear communication flow within organizations. He stresses the importance of having predefined communication templates, out-of-band communication channels, and regular testing of these channels to ensure effectiveness.
The conversation concludes by addressing the nature of a Chief Information Security Officer's role, in how individuals in this role need to have natural curiosity, a constant awareness of abnormalities, and a penchant for dealing with the unexpected.
Conclusion: Actionable Incident Response Plans
Carpenito wraps up by underlining the significance of actionable incident response plans, advocating for their regular review, alignment with company culture, and dynamic adaptation to organizational changes.
In this this member spotlight interview, Carpenito provides invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of incident response, highlighting the need for proactive preparedness, strategic communication, and adaptive planning in the face of escalating cyber threats.
