Introduction

In today’s complex Cybersecurity environment, every organisation faces the possibility of data breaches, ransomware or insider Threats. To effectively manage such events, the ISO 27035 Incident Response Team provides a structured & internationally recognized Framework for identifying, analyzing & mitigating Security Incidents. This Standard helps Organisations coordinate their security operations, minimize damage & restore normal operations swiftly & securely.

By following the ISO 27035 approach, businesses can ensure their response activities are consistent, Evidence-based & aligned with global Information Security Standards. This article explores the Framework, roles, benefits & integration of an ISO 27035 Incident Response Team in ensuring coordinated & efficient security operations.

Understanding ISO 27035 Incident Response Team

The ISO 27035 Incident Response Team is a formal group within an organisation responsible for managing Cybersecurity incidents from detection through recovery. It is based on the ISO/IEC 27035 standard, which defines processes for Information Security incident management.

According to the International organisation for Standardization, ISO 27035 establishes a systematic method for incident preparedness, detection, response & lessons learned. The Incident Response Team, often referred to as the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), ensures that incidents are handled consistently & efficiently, reducing potential Risks to Business Operations & Data Integrity.

The Structure & Roles of an ISO 27035 Incident Response Team

An ISO 27035 Incident Response Team is typically composed of multidisciplinary members, including technical experts, communication officers, compliance managers & legal advisors. Their collective objective is to respond rapidly & effectively to any incident that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of organizational data.

The main roles within the team include:

• Incident Manager: Oversees the Incident Response process & decision-making.
• Technical Analysts: Conduct forensic investigations & system analysis.
• Communications Lead: Manages Stakeholder communication & public relations.
• Legal & Compliance Officer: Ensures all actions comply with regulatory requirements.
• Forensic Specialist: Preserves & analyzes digital Evidence to support accurate findings.

This structured composition guarantees that every aspect of Incident Response-from detection to resolution-is addressed professionally & methodically.

Core Phases of ISO 27035 Incident Handling

The ISO 27035 Incident Response Team follows a sequence of well-defined phases for handling Security Incidents:

1. Preparation & Planning: Establishing Policies, assigning responsibilities & setting up necessary tools.
2. Detection & Reporting: Identifying & documenting potential security events or breaches.
3. Assessment & Decision: Evaluating the incident’s severity & determining appropriate response actions.
4. Response & Recovery: Executing technical & procedural actions to contain & remediate the incident.
5. Lessons Learned: Reviewing post-incident outcomes & updating procedures to prevent recurrence.

These stages ensure that Incident Response remains systematic & aligned with organizational objectives. 

Importance of Coordination in Security Operations

Coordination is the backbone of an effective ISO 27035 Incident Response Team. In modern security environments, multiple departments-ranging from IT to Human Resources-are involved in managing incidents. Without structured coordination, response activities can become fragmented & ineffective.

ISO 27035 emphasizes communication protocols & role clarity to ensure all Stakeholders work together seamlessly. Regular coordination meetings, incident drills & predefined escalation procedures contribute to faster response times & minimise miscommunication. 

Key Benefits of Implementing an ISO 27035 Incident Response Team

Organisations that adopt an ISO 27035 Incident Response Team Framework experience several critical benefits, including:

• Faster Incident Containment: Rapid detection & structured response limit the scope of damage.
• Enhanced Communication: Defined roles improve internal & external coordination during incidents.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to Global Standards like ISO 27035 supports legal defensibility.
• Improved Security Posture: Continuous learning cycles strengthen organizational resilience.
• Trust & Reputation: Transparent & efficient incident handling fosters confidence among Stakeholders.

These benefits make ISO 27035 a key component in any mature Information Security strategy.

Common Challenges in Establishing an Incident Response Framework

Despite its advantages, building an effective ISO 27035 Incident Response Team is not without obstacles. Organisations often face:

• Limited Resources: Insufficient funding or staffing for full-time response teams.
• Lack of Training: Inadequate understanding of incident management principles.
• Poor Documentation: Failure to maintain accurate incident logs or post-incident reviews.
• Integration Gaps: Difficulty linking the response process to broader security Frameworks.

These challenges can be mitigated through comprehensive training, executive support & investment in automation. 

Integration of ISO 27035 with Other Security Standards

The ISO 27035 Incident Response Team works best when integrated with complementary Standards such as ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System [ISMS]) and ISO 27037 (Digital Evidence Handling). Together, these Standards form a holistic defense Framework covering detection, investigation & remediation.

Integration ensures that Incident Response aligns with organizational Policies, Risk Management & compliance objectives. 

Best Practices for an Effective ISO 27035 Incident Response Team

To optimize performance, an ISO 27035 Incident Response Team should:

• Conduct regular training & simulation exercises.
• Maintain clear escalation procedures & decision trees.
• Leverage automation for faster incident detection.
• Keep updated documentation for all incidents.
• Establish strong communication with external partners & law enforcement.

Applying these Best Practices ensures continuous readiness & operational excellence during incident handling.

Conclusion

The ISO 27035 Incident Response Team is an essential component of modern Cybersecurity Governance. By following this standard, Organisations can manage incidents effectively, coordinate operations seamlessly & enhance overall resilience against digital Threats. The structured Framework empowers teams to respond promptly while maintaining Evidence integrity & compliance.

Takeaways

• ISO 27035 defines a structured process for incident management & response.
• Effective coordination enhances communication & response accuracy.
• Integration with ISO 27001 & ISO 27037 ensures end-to-end security Governance.
• Continuous Training & readiness exercises are vital to maintain efficiency.
• Adopting ISO 27035 builds trust, compliance & operational resilience.

FAQ

References:

1. ISO – ISO/IEC 27035 Overview
2. NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 – Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
3. SANS Institute – White Papers on Incident Response

Need help for Security, Privacy, Governance & VAPT? 

Neumetric provides organisations the necessary help to achieve their Cybersecurity, Compliance, Governance, Privacy, Certifications & Pentesting needs.  

Organisations & Businesses, specifically those which provide SaaS & AI Solutions in the Fintech, BFSI & other regulated sectors, usually need a Cybersecurity Partner for meeting & maintaining the ongoing Security & Privacy needs & requirements of their Enterprise Clients & Privacy conscious Customers. 

SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, HIPAA, HECVAT, EU GDPR are some of the Frameworks that are served by Fusion – a SaaS, multimodular, multitenant, centralised, automated, Cybersecurity & Compliance Management system. 

Neumetric also provides Expert Services for technical security which covers VAPT for Web Applications, APIs, iOS & Android Mobile Apps, Security Testing for AWS & other Cloud Environments & Cloud Infrastructure & other similar scopes. 

Reach out to us by Email or filling out the Contact Form…