Introduction
Security Incidents are inevitable in any digital environment. What matters most is how quickly & effectively your Organisation responds. Under the Information Security Management System [ISMS] Framework outlined by ISO 27001, having a defined & structured Incident Response Plan is not optional — it is essential. This article walks you through a clear & actionable ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example, showing how to structure, execute & maintain your Incident Response strategy.
What Is an ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan?
An ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan is a formal set of Procedures designed to detect, respond to & recover from Security Incidents in a timely & organised manner. It is an integral part of the ISMS, ensuring that any breach or Threat is handled with minimal disruption.
The Standard does not prescribe a fixed format, but it expects Organisations to define their own structured approach. Whether it is Malware, Phishing or insider Threats, a well-crafted plan ensures you are prepared.
Why Is an Incident Response Plan Crucial for ISO 27001 Compliance?
An ISMS without a formal response plan leaves your organisation vulnerable, as it lacks a crucial layer of protection. Clause A.16 of ISO 27001 Annex A emphasises the need for Information Security Incident Management. In practice, this means:
- Reducing the impact of breaches
- Ensuring evidence is preserved
- Meeting regulatory & legal obligations
- Improving Customer & Stakeholder trust
A real-world ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example makes it easier to map these goals into operational workflows.
Key Components of an Effective Incident Response Plan
A comprehensive plan typically includes the following elements:
- Incident Classification: Clearly outline the criteria that determine what constitutes a Security Incident.
- Roles & Responsibilities: Who is accountable for which tasks?
- Incident Reporting Mechanism: Channels for logging & escalating issues.
- Response Procedures: Actions for containment, eradication & recovery.
- Post-Incident Review: Lessons learned & improvements to make.
You can refer to NIST’s Computer Security Incident Handling Guide for inspiration, even though ISO 27001 does not mandate this format.
Step-by-Step ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan Example
Consider the following illustration designed for a medium-sized business-to-business SaaS organisation:
- Detection & Reporting
An Employee notices abnormal login activity. The Incident involving the activity can be recorded & reported using the Organisation’s internal ticketing system to ensure its proper tracking. - Initial Assessment
The Incident Response team assesses the severity of the incident using a predefined classification system, which may include categories such as low, medium or high. - Notification & Escalation
Based on impact, the team escalates the incident to the CISO & relevant department heads. - Containment & Eradication
The compromised account is disabled. Logs are reviewed & malicious IPs are blocked. - Recovery & Restoration
Services are restored after confirming the environment is secure. Temporary access tokens are revoked. - Post-Incident Analysis
The team conducts a retrospective meeting within forty-eight (48) hours after the incident to review & analyse the response. Findings are added to the Risk register.
This ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example illustrates how clarity & role definition reduce chaos during real Incidents.
Who Should Be Involved in the Response Process?
Roles vary by Organisation size, but usually involve:
- Incident Response Team [IRT]
- IT & Security Operations
- Compliance Officer or DPO
- Management & Communications Teams
For ISO 27001 Compliance, ensure each role aligns with your RACI Matrix.
Common Challenges & Mistakes in Incident Response Planning
Many businesses make avoidable errors:
- Overlooking internal Threats
- Not documenting lessons learned
- Relying on manual logging processes
- Failing to rehearse the response plan
Your ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example should include scenarios that reflect these Risks, making your team more resilient.
Tools & Templates to Support your ISO 27001 Plan
Useful non-commercial tools include:
- MITRE ATT&CK Framework for Threat modelling
- Spreadsheets or wikis for simple documentation
- Real-time coordination can be facilitated through internal messaging platforms such as Slack or Teams.
Templates based on these tools can help streamline the creation of your ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example.
How Frequently Should You Review the Plan?
The response plan must be reviewed & tested annually or whenever a significant incident or change occurs within the Organisation. This ensures:
- Team readiness
- Plan relevance
- Compliance with ISO 27001’s continual improvement requirements
Consider running tabletop exercises or red team simulations to validate the effectiveness of your response strategy.
Integrating the Plan with your ISMS
To ensure your ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example is Audit-ready, link it with:
- Risk Treatment Plan
- Asset Inventory
- Access Control Policies
- Change Management Records
Documentation should be centralised & version-controlled to meet Audit requirements & internal Governance needs.
Takeaways
- A strong ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan is key to managing real-world Threats.
- Clear roles, structured workflows & timely updates ensure plan effectiveness.
- Regular testing & integration with your ISMS keep the plan relevant & compliant.
- Examples bring the concept to life, especially for training & awareness purposes.
- Mistakes often arise from neglecting internal communication or not learning from past Incidents.
FAQ
What is included in a good ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example?
It should include detection, reporting, containment, recovery & review steps clearly assigned to specific roles.
How do you build an ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example?
Start with identifying Potential Threats, assign team roles & define step-by-step actions to handle incidents from start to resolution.
Does ISO 27001 require a specific format for Incident Response plans?
No, ISO 27001 allows flexibility but expects a documented & actionable process aligned with your ISMS.
Can Small Businesses use an ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example?
Yes, examples help small teams understand their responsibilities & prepare efficiently, even with limited resources.
How often should we update the ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan?
Update it at least once a year or after any security incident, system upgrade or organisational change.
What tools help automate Incident Response?
Ticketing systems, SIEM tools & team messaging platforms can speed up detection, communication & resolution.
Who reviews the ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan?
Typically, the ISMS manager or Compliance officer, along with IT security leads & department heads.
Are Incident Response drills necessary?
Yes, drills test readiness, reveal weak points & ensure that your ISO 27001 Incident Response Plan example holds up under stress.
How do you measure the success of an Incident Response?
Track response times, containment success, recovery duration & number of repeat incidents.
Need help?
Neumetric provides organisations the necessary help to achieve their Cybersecurity, Compliance, Governance, Privacy, Certifications & Pentesting goals.
Organisations & Businesses, specifically those which provide SaaS & AI Solutions, usually need a Cybersecurity Partner for meeting & maintaining the ongoing Security & Privacy needs & requirements of their Clients & Customers.
SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, HIPAA, HECVAT, EU GDPR are some of the Frameworks that are served by Fusion – a centralised, automated, AI-enabled SaaS Solution created & managed by Neumetric.
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