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An Incident Response Plan lays out your organization's strategy for handling cybersecurity breaches, data leaks, and other digital emergencies. It helps companies comply with India's Information Technology Act 2000 and CERT-In guidelines while protecting sensitive data and maintaining business continuity during crises.

The plan specifies key roles, communication protocols, and step-by-step procedures for detecting, containing, and recovering from security incidents. Good plans include contact details for IT teams, legal counsel, and relevant authorities, plus clear instructions for preserving evidence and notifying affected parties under Indian data protection requirements. Regular testing and updates keep the plan effective and compliant.

Activate your Incident Response Plan immediately when you discover any security breach, data compromise, or cyber attack targeting your systems. This includes ransomware incidents, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or network intrusions that could trigger mandatory reporting under CERT-In's 6-hour notification rule.

Put the plan into action when facing DDoS attacks, phishing campaigns, or malware infections that threaten business operations. It's also essential to use it during data privacy violations that could breach IT Act compliance requirements. Regular drills help teams stay prepared—run through the plan quarterly and after any significant system changes to ensure everyone knows their role during an actual incident.

• Security Incident Management Audit Program: Comprehensive program focused on evaluating and testing the effectiveness of existing incident response procedures, particularly suitable for large enterprises following CERT-In guidelines.
• Incident Response Audit Program: Streamlined audit framework specifically designed for assessing incident detection capabilities, response times, and compliance with IT Act reporting requirements, ideal for mid-sized organizations and regulated sectors.

• IT Security Teams: Lead the development and execution of Incident Response Plans, coordinate response efforts, and maintain technical documentation
• CISOs and IT Directors: Oversee plan implementation, approve procedures, and ensure alignment with organizational security policies
• Legal Counsel: Review plans for compliance with CERT-In guidelines and IT Act requirements, advise on breach notification obligations
• Department Heads: Provide input on business impact, coordinate response activities within their units during incidents
• External Consultants: Help develop and audit plans, provide specialized expertise in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance

• System Inventory: Document all critical IT assets, data types, and network infrastructure that need protection
• Contact Details: Compile emergency contacts for IT team, management, legal counsel, and CERT-In reporting
• Risk Assessment: Map potential security threats and their impact on business operations
• Response Procedures: Define clear steps for incident detection, containment, and recovery phases
• Legal Requirements: Review IT Act compliance needs and mandatory reporting timeframes
• Documentation Tools: Set up incident logging systems and evidence preservation protocols
• Testing Schedule: Plan regular drills and update cycles to keep the plan current

• Incident Classification: Clear definitions of security incidents as per CERT-In guidelines and severity levels
• Response Timeline: Mandatory 6-hour reporting requirements and incident handling deadlines
• Authority Matrix: Designated roles and responsibilities for incident response team members
• Data Handling Protocol: Procedures for protecting sensitive information during incident management
• Communication Plan: Internal and external notification procedures following IT Act requirements
• Evidence Collection: Legal requirements for preserving digital evidence and maintaining chain of custody
• Recovery Procedures: Steps for system restoration and business continuity compliance

While both documents address organizational responses to disruptions, an Incident Response Plan differs significantly from a Business Continuity Plan in several key aspects. The main distinction lies in their scope and timing: an Incident Response Plan focuses specifically on immediate cyber security incidents, while a Business Continuity Plan covers broader operational disruptions.

• Focus and Scope: Incident Response Plans target specific security breaches and cyber attacks, with detailed technical procedures aligned with CERT-In requirements. Business Continuity Plans cover all business disruptions, including natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and supply chain issues.
• Timeline Perspective: Incident Response Plans emphasize immediate action within the critical first hours of a security breach. Business Continuity Plans take a longer view, outlining weeks or months of recovery strategies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Incident Response Plans must meet specific IT Act and CERT-In cybersecurity requirements, while Business Continuity Plans focus more on general operational resilience standards.