Page 128 - Cyber Defense eMagazine RSAC Special Edition 2025

For example, if a critical infrastructure operator relies on cloud-based tools for daily operations and
security monitoring, an attack on that environment can severely limit the ability to respond effectively.
Conventional communication tools also can pose security risks during an active breach. If these systems
are compromised, attackers can intercept sensitive communications or disrupt coordination efforts. It's
hard to bounce unwanted entities from your systems when they know your next move.

Secure, collaborative incident response platforms offer an alternative that is resilient to external threats
and provides uninterrupted, high-trust communication. They provide an isolated, out-of-band
environment safe from eavesdropping.

The Benefits of a Dedicated Incident Response Platform

Modern security operations use a variety of tools: firewalls, endpoint detection and response systems,
intrusion detection software, and cloud security platforms. However, these tools often function in silos.
Security teams must manually make sense of different tools' alerts and logs, which slows response times.

A dedicated incident response platform offers a unified, real-time view of cyber threats by integrating data
from multiple sources. Analysts can identify abnormalities faster, triage incidents more effectively, and
initiate containment procedures without delay in this consolidated view.

Speed counts when responding to an attack. A well-structured incident response strategy must
incorporate automated workflows that enable organizations to react immediately to emerging threats.
Pre-configured digital playbooks help teams follow reliable, approved, and compliant procedures when
responding to different types of cyber incidents. Whether it's a data breach, ransomware attack, or insider
threat, automated workflows ensure that every step — from detection to resolution — is systematically
executed.

Beyond ensuring procedural integrity, playbooks address one of the biggest challenges in incident
response: staffing turnover and training. Real-life incidents are documented and then become highly
effective training tools, guiding new staff through best practices, expected standards, and necessary
steps in handling incidents. By providing clear, step-by-step instructions, playbooks help new team
members quickly adapt, reducing onboarding time and improving overall team readiness. As a result,
organizations can maintain operational resilience and knowledge continuity even amid staffing changes.

Prepare for Post-Mortem Audits

After resolving an incident, a security team’s work isn't finished. They must review what happened and
assess the effectiveness of their response.

A centralized incident response platform should automatically log all activities, decisions, and
communications so teams can generate detailed reports. These reports can help identify procedural gaps
to strengthen future security strategies and identify threat patterns that can improve future security
responses. These reports also meet regulatory requirements with comprehensive response
documentation. For example, federal agencies require robust auditing to comply with Federal Information

128