Contents
NIST Special Publication 800-61: Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
What it is: NIST SP 800-61 Revision 2 is a widely adopted framework developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that provides guidelines for handling computer security incidents. It is aimed at helping organisations establish, operate, and improve their incident response capabilities.
Why It’s Used
NIST 800-61 offers a structured approach to incident response, promoting consistency and efficiency. It’s especially valuable for organisations subject to regulatory requirements, but it’s also considered a best practice framework across the cybersecurity industry.
Benefits include:
- Improved detection and mitigation of threats
- Reduced impact of security breaches
- Clear escalation and communication paths
- Better coordination within and across teams
The Incident Response Life Cycle
NIST defines four key phases:
1. Preparation:
- Establishing policies and response plans
- Training staff and assembling an incident response team
- Deploying tools and monitoring systems
2. Detection and Analysis:
- Identifying potential incidents through alerts, logs, and reports
- Validating and categorising incidents (e.g., malware, phishing, insider threats)
- Prioritising based on impact and scope
3. Containment, Eradication, and Recovery:
- Short-term and long-term containment strategies
- Removing the root cause (e.g., deleting malware, disabling accounts)
- Restoring systems to a known good state
4. Post-Incident Activity:
- Lessons learned sessions and documentation
- Updating incident response plans
- Reporting to stakeholders and regulatory bodies as needed
Where to Get It
The full document is available freely from NIST: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-61/rev-2/final
Implementation Tips
- Use playbooks for common incidents (e.g. phishing, ransomware)
- Integrate response with SIEM/SOAR tools like Splunk, CrowdStrike, or Taegis
- Simulate incidents regularly with tabletop exercises
- Ensure all team members know their roles and escalation paths
Conclusion
NIST SP 800-61 is a cornerstone of modern incident response planning. Whether you’re in a large enterprise or a small organisation, adopting its principles can significantly boost your resilience and readiness against cyber threats.