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Essentials of Incident Response Frameworks

Learn practical incident response skills and create a robust cyber incident response plan.

The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Strengthen your cyber security incident response with proven frameworks

Cyber security incidents don’t wait for convenient moments. When they strike, your organisation needs professionals who know exactly how to respond.

On this course, you’ll gain the practical skills to manage cyber security incidents effectively. Led by Brett Moffett, an IT professional with over 30 years of experience, you’ll explore proven frameworks like NIST and SANS and create your own Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP).

Understand frameworks that guide effective incident response

Discover why having a clear framework matters when a cyber security incident hits.

Explore the challenges teams face and see how NIST and SANS frameworks shape decision-making when pressure is high. You’ll also explore how IT service management integrates with incident response processes.

Create your own cyber incident response plan

Put theory into practice by designing a tailored CIRP through hands-on exercises and realistic scenarios.

You’ll map out workflows, assign responsibilities, and align your processes with IT service management and risk management practices. Through simulations, you’ll test your plan, identify improvements, and refine your approach.

Advance your career with in-demand cyber security skills

You’ll know how to apply industry frameworks, sharpen response strategies, and protect your organisation when it counts. You’ll be equipped to take charge when incidents occur.

Whether you’re progressing in cyber security, IT service management, or risk management, by the end of the course, you’ll have hands-on experience with incident response techniques used by cyber security professionals.

Explore our ExpertTrack: Cyber Operations, Defence & Threat Intelligence.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Defining the Problem

    • Lesson 1: Introduction to Entire Course

      This lesson will outline what you'll learn, who will guide you, and the key takeaways upon completion, providing a clear understanding of the content and expectations. Ideal for those looking to deepen their knowledge in this area

    • Lesson 2: What is Incident Management and Why is it Important?

      This section defines what a major cybersecurity incident is, why businesses need a plan, key terminology, industry frameworks, and the importance of having a major incident process to limit damage and recover quickly.

    • Lesson 3: Importance of a Mature IT Service Management Solution

      This lesson defines IT Service Management (ITSM), its importance, what makes a mature ITSM solution, and key ITIL processes that support effective major incident management.

    • Lesson 4: Justifying the Effort and Cost

      In this lesson, we'll explore the financial and non-financial costs of cybersecurity incidents and how to calculate and communicate the ROI of cybersecurity investments to business leaders.

  • Week 2

    Cybersecurity Incident Management Frameworks

    • Lesson 5: SANS Framework: 6-Step Process

      This lesson covers the SANS Institute's six-step Incident Response (IR) process, designed to help organizations manage and mitigate cybersecurity incidents with a structured approach. SANS is a leading cybersecurity organization.

    • Lesson 6: NIST SP 800-61r3: Incident Response Recommendations and Considerations for Cybersecurity Risk Management

      NIST, founded in 1901, promotes U.S. innovation and competitiveness through measurement science, standards, and technology. SP 800-61r3 provides incident response guidelines for cybersecurity risk management.

    • Lesson 7: Documentation Management Frameworks

      Documentation of business processes is useful only if it's easy to retrieve, read, and maintained. Before creating an Incident Management process, ensure staff can find, trust, and follow up-to-date documents.

  • Week 3

    Developing a Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP)

    • Lesson 8: Defining a Major Incident

      The first step in developing a Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) is defining a major incident. This ensures IT teams address serious issues without overreacting to false positives or overlooking severity.

    • Lesson 9: Building a Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP)

      Now that we understand industry best practices and the What, Where, and Why of cybersecurity major incident management, it's time to define our plan and document how a major incident will run for our organization.

    • Lesson 10: Post Implementation Review Process

      A Post Incident Review (PIR) is a detailed review after a major incident to identify process failures or improvements. It can also trigger problem management to prevent future incidents.

  • Week 4

    Implementing a Cyber Incident Response Plan

    • Lesson 11: Implementing the Process

      A Cyber Incident Response Plan is useless if no one knows about it, where it is, or how to use it. This lesson covers how to deploy the plan and ensure everyone knows how to access and implement it.

    • Lesson 12: Testing the Plan

      Testing the Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) ensures it works in real-world scenarios. This lesson covers running test scenarios to measure its effectiveness before it's needed in a business-critical situation.

    • Lesson 13: Review, Maintain, and Improve

      The Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) must evolve with changing systems, technology, and business needs. Regular updates ensure it stays relevant and effective in protecting systems over time.

    • Lesson 14: Course Wrap-up

      A quick recap of the key lessons and frameworks, ensuring you’re ready to apply your incident response knowledge in real-world situations.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the fundamentals of a cybersecurity major incident response process.
  • Explain key industry frameworks (NIST and SANS).
  • Develop your own cybersecurity major incident response plan.
  • Test, measure, and improve your cybersecurity major incident management process.

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for cyber security engineers, service desk analysts, IT managers, and service desk managers looking to improve incident response skills, implement frameworks, and create practical CIRPs.

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

Starweaver

Starweaver is a next generation platform that engages your workforce as no other. Combining business and technical skills, Starweaver provides real-time skill building that is in line with your business objectives and strategies, and in your associates day to day tasks and jobs.

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

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  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
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  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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