Phishing Playbook created using IBM’s WatsonX GenAI | Gen AI, Playbooks, Phishing
Phishing Attack Response Playbook
Purpose:
This playbook outlines the steps to detect, respond to, and recover from phishing attacks, aiming to minimize impact and reinforce defenses against future incidents.
Scope:
Applies to all organizational employees and covers procedures for identifying, reporting, and responding to phishing attempts.
Team Roles and Responsibilities:
- Incident Response Manager: Coordinates the response to phishing incidents.
- Security Analysts: Investigate the phishing attempt, conduct forensics, and assist in remediation.
- IT Support: Implement technical controls and assist in the recovery of affected systems.
- Communications Officer: Manage communication with the workforce and external parties if necessary.
- Human Resources: Assist in the management of phishing training and awareness programs.
Phase 1: Identification
- Employee Training: Regularly train employees to recognize phishing emails such as unexpected attachments, suspicious links, or requests for sensitive information.
- Detection Tools: Use email filtering solutions and secure email gateways to detect and block phishing attempts.
- Reporting Mechanism: Establish a simple and efficient process for employees to report suspected phishing emails to the IT security team.
Phase 2: Containment
- Email Quarantine: Immediately isolate reported phishing emails to prevent further opening or forwarding.
- Credential Reset: Promptly reset passwords for any accounts that might have been compromised due to the phishing attack.
- Communication Block: Block the sender’s email address and any malicious URLs contained in the phishing email.
Phase 3: Eradication
- Phishing Email Removal: Delete phishing emails from all user accounts to eliminate the risk of further openings.
- System Checks: Scan all affected systems for malware that may have been installed as a result of the phishing attack.
Phase 4: Recovery
- System Restoration: Restore any affected systems from clean backups if necessary.
- Monitoring: Increase monitoring of affected systems to detect any unusual activity indicating a breach or additional compromised accounts.
- Review Security Controls: Assess current email security controls and implement enhancements to prevent similar attacks.
Phase 5: Post-Incident
- Lessons Learned: Conduct a review meeting to discuss the phishing incident and identify improvements in processes and controls.
- Training Update: Update security awareness training programs based on the insights gained from the incident.
- Reporting: Document the incident and response actions for future reference and compliance purposes.
Tools and Resources Needed:
- Email filtering and security gateway solutions
- Antivirus and anti-malware software
- Security information and event management (SIEM) system
- Employee training and awareness platforms
Contact List:
- Incident Response Manager: [Contact Information]
- Security Analysts: [Contact Information]
- IT Support: [Contact Information]
- Communications Officer: [Contact Information]
- Human Resources: [Contact Information]