Perform Cyber Incident Response Assessment using eAuditor
Performing a Cyber Incident Response Assessment using eAuditor ensures a structured evaluation of an organization’s preparedness, response capabilities, and compliance related to cyber incidents. A Cyber Incident Response Assessment is a systematic audit used to verify that policies, procedures, technical controls, and staff readiness are effective in detecting, responding to, mitigating, and recovering from cybersecurity events.
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Purpose of Cyber Incident Response Assessment
The assessment focuses on evaluating the organization’s cyber incident readiness, response procedures, and risk mitigation strategies.
It helps organizations to:
- Identify gaps in cyber incident response plans
- Verify compliance with industry standards, regulations, and internal policies
- Ensure detection, containment, and mitigation procedures are effective
- Assess staff training, awareness, and role responsibilities
- Document and track incidents and corrective actions
- Support continuous improvement in cybersecurity posture
Using eAuditor enables structured inspections, real-time evidence capture, and audit-ready reporting.
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Setting Up Cyber Incident Response Assessment Template in eAuditor
2.1 Assessment Details
Record essential information:
- Organization name and department
- Assesment of System or network scope
- Date and time of assessment
- Assessor or cybersecurity officer name
- Type of assessment (routine, post-incident, or audit simulation)
This ensures accountability and traceable records.
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Incident Response Policy & Planning
3.1 Policy Review
Verify that:
- A formal cyber incident response policy exists and is approved
- Clear defining of roles and responsibilities
- Documentation of escalation procedures and contact lists
3.2 Plan Testing
Check whether:
- Staff regularly test and update incident response plans.
- Staff incorporate lessons learned from previous incidents.
- Establishment of communication protocols for internal and external stakeholders
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Detection & Monitoring
4.1 Threat Detection
Assess whether:
- Security monitoring systems (SIEM, IDS/IPS, endpoint monitoring) are operational
- Configuration and testing of alerts for critical systems
- Maintenance and review of logs and event records
4.2 Reporting Mechanisms
Confirm:
- Staff can report suspected incidents promptly
- Reporting tools or forms are accessible
- Reporting procedures comply with organizational policy
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Incident Classification & Containment
5.1 Incident Identification
Verify that:
- Incidents are classified according to severity and type
- Documentation of clear criteria for classification
- Initial triage procedures are followed
5.2 Containment Procedures
Check whether:
- Containment strategies (network isolation, account suspension) are effective
- Protection of effected systems to prevent further damage
- Preservation of incident logs and evidence
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Mitigation & Recovery
6.1 Mitigation Actions
Confirm that:
- Appropriate mitigation measures are implemented based on incident type
- Staff address vulnerabilities exploited during the incident.
- Communication with affected stakeholders is timely
6.2 Recovery Procedures
Check:
- Backup systems and data restoration procedures are functional
- Staff securely restore and test critical systems.
- Post-incident validation confirms systems are secure and operational
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Communication & Coordination
7.1 Internal Communication
Verify:
- Incident notifications are sent to management and relevant teams
- Roles and responsibilities during the incident are clear
- Coordination between IT, legal, HR, and management is documented
7.2 External Communication
Check whether:
- Regulatory or legal reporting requirements are met
- Communication with customers or affected parties is managed appropriately
- Public relations procedures are in place if required
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Staff Training & Awareness
8.1 Training Programs
Assess whether staff:
- Are trained in identifying cyber threats and phishing attacks
- Understand incident reporting procedures
- Participate in periodic incident response drills
8.2 Competency Verification
Confirm that:
- Roles and responsibilities for incident response are assigned and understood
- Staff demonstrate knowledge of containment, mitigation, and recovery steps
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Documentation & Record Keeping
9.1 Incident Records
Check that:
- All incidents are logged in detail (time, type, affected systems)
- Evidence is securely stored for investigations and audits
- Corrective actions and lessons learned are documented
9.2 Audit Trail
Ensure eAuditor allows:
- Upload of screenshots, logs, and supporting documents
- Assignment and tracking of follow-up actions
- Trend analysis for continuous improvement
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Non-Conformances & Corrective Actions
10.1 Identifying Gaps
Document:
- Weaknesses in incident response policies or plans
- System misconfigurations or monitoring deficiencies
- Staff knowledge or compliance gaps
10.2 Action Assignment
Assign corrective actions in eAuditor for:
- Policy updates or procedural enhancements
- Staff retraining or additional drills
- Technical fixes or system improvements
- Follow-up assessments to verify closure
eAuditor enables accountability, deadlines, and evidence uploads for all corrective actions.
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Reporting, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
11.1 Automated Reporting
Generate reports for:
- Management and cybersecurity committees
- Regulatory and compliance audits
- Risk management reviews
11.2 Continuous Improvement
Use assessment findings to:
- Strengthen incident response policies and procedures
- Improve staff readiness and awareness
- Enhance detection, containment, and recovery processes
- Maintain a proactive cybersecurity posture
Summary
The Cyber Incident Response Assessment using eAuditor provides a structured approach to evaluate policies, detection systems, staff readiness, incident handling, and recovery procedures. By systematically assessing planning, monitoring, containment, mitigation, and documentation, organizations can strengthen their cybersecurity posture, minimize risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory and internal standards while supporting continuous improvement. https://eauditor.app/2025/12/24/cyber-incident-response-checklist/
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