Software Engineering Institute

This one-day course is designed for managers and project leaders who have been tasked with implementing a computer security incident response team (CSIRT) or similar capability. This course provides a high-level overview of the key issues and decisions that must be addressed in establishing an incident management capability. The course can also be used as an introduction to incident management and CSIRT activities, responsibilities, and services for incident handlers and also for those who work with incident handlers. As part of the course, attendees will develop an action plan that can be used as a starting point in planning and implementing their specific capability.

The course is composed of lectures and class exercises. Participants will learn the requirements for establishing an effective CSIRT, the various organizational models for a CSIRT, the variety and level of services that can be provided by a CSIRT (based on the FIRST CSIRT Services Framework), and the types of resources and infrastructure needed to support a capability. Additionally, attendees will identify policies and procedures that should be established and implemented when creating such an entity.

Attendees may also want to register for the three-day companion course, Managing Computer Security Incident Response Teams.

• current and prospective CSIRT managers; C-level managers such as CIOs, CSOs, CROs; and project leaders interested in establishing, starting, or understanding a CSIRT
• other staff who interact with CSIRTs, incident management capabilities, or incident handlers and would like to gain a deeper understanding of how each operates. For example, CSIRT constituents, higher-level management, media relations, legal counsel, law enforcement, human resources, audit, insider risk, or risk management staff

This course will help participants to

• identify the requirements for establishing an effective CSIRT or incident management capability
• strategically plan the development and implementation of a new capability
• highlight issues associated with assembling a responsive, effective team of cybersecurity or incident handling professionals
• identify policies and procedures that should be established and implemented
• review various organizational models to determine the model appropriate for their organization or situation
• recognize the variety and level of services that can be provided by an incident management capability

• types of CSIRTs and incident management capabilities or security teams
• incident management and the relationship to CSIRTs, Security Operations Centers (SOCs), Product Security Incident Response Teams (PSIRTs) and Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs)
• prerequisites to planning an incident management capability
• creating and institutionalizing a vision for the capability
• developing appropriate mission, objectives, and level of authority
• organizational issues, dependencies, needed integration, interfaces, and models
• range and levels of provided services
• funding issues
• hiring and training initial and additional staff and subject matter experts (SMEs)
• implementing relevant and supporting policies and procedures
• requirements for an incident handling infrastructure
• implementation and operational issues and strategies
• collaboration and communication issues

The course may be delivered virtually or in-person. In either case, materials will be provided to participants digitally through the SEI Learning Management System (LMS). Participants will be expected to download the materials and either print them or bring their laptop or mobile device with the materials on them. If laptops or other devices are brought, they may only be used during course lectures and exercises for course work. Digital handouts will be included with the course materials.

This course has no prerequisites.