The plan "Assessing Threat and Incident Response" focuses on enhancing cybersecurity measures through specific metrics. These metrics, like Incident Detection Time and Containment Time, are crucial as they help in promptly identifying and controlling threats to minimize damage. For example, improving Incident Detection Time by automating alert systems ensures faster reaction, reducing potential harm.
Another vital metric, like False Positive Rate, ensures efficiency in threat identification by reducing unnecessary alerts. This helps in maintaining focus on genuine threats. Additionally, metrics like the Number of Lateral Movement Attempts and Incident Recovery Time are essential to prevent extensive damage and ensure swift recovery of systems, thus securing the network environment effectively.
Top 5 metrics for Threat and Incident Analysis
1. Incident Detection Time
The time taken from the moment a threat is detected to the initiation of an incident response
What good looks like for this metric: Typically less than 15 minutes
How to improve this metric:- Implement automated alerting systems
- Conduct regular threat hunting exercises
- Enhance staff training on threat identification
- Integrate with advanced threat intelligence platforms
- Utilise machine learning for anomaly detection
2. Containment Time
The duration between detection and containment of a threat to minimise its spread and impact
What good looks like for this metric: Ideally under 30 minutes
How to improve this metric:- Automate endpoint isolation procedures
- Improve network segmentation
- Establish predefined incident response playbooks
- Regularly test response strategies
- Foster collaboration between IT and security teams
3. False Positive Rate
The percentage of alerts that are incorrectly identified as threats
What good looks like for this metric: Should be below 5%
How to improve this metric:- Refine rule sets and detection algorithms
- Incorporate feedback loops to learn from past alerts
- Leverage threat intelligence feeds
- Enhance contextual information in alerts
- Invest in more precise detection technologies
4. Number of Lateral Movement Attempts
Counts of attempts by threats to move laterally within a network after initial access
What good looks like for this metric: Ideally zero attempts
How to improve this metric:- Deploy micro-segmentation techniques
- Monitor for unusual access patterns
- Strengthen user privilege controls
- Use lateral movement detection tools
- Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing
5. Incident Recovery Time
The time required to fully restore systems and operations post-incident
What good looks like for this metric: Within 24 hours for minor incidents
How to improve this metric:- Maintain regular backups and restore procedures
- Invest in resilient infrastructure
- Document and streamline recovery processes
- Facilitate cross-department cooperation
- Regularly update and test recovery plans
How to track Threat and Incident Analysis metrics
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your metrics.
