Accessibility Tools

Skip to main content

Access World-Class NIST RMF Documentation with ASP Learn More

NIST 800-53, Rev. 5 Incident Response (IR) Policy Templates & Programs for Download

Arlington Security Portal

Get Access to 100 + NIST RMF security and privacy policies & procedures, programs, and plan templates.

NIST 800-53 provides guidance on incident response controls, which are crucial for effectively responding to and managing security incidents within an organization. Incident response aims to minimize the impact of incidents, restore normal operations, and prevent future occurrences. Here are key aspects of incident response as addressed in NIST 800-53:

  • Incident Response Policy and Procedures: Organizations should develop and implement an incident response policy that outlines the objectives, scope, roles, and responsibilities for managing security incidents. Procedures should be established to guide personnel on the detection, reporting, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery from incidents.
  • Incident Response Team: Organizations should establish an incident response team (IRT) consisting of individuals with the necessary skills and authority to respond to and manage security incidents. The IRT should be trained, equipped, and prepared to effectively handle incidents.
  • Incident Detection and Reporting: Organizations should implement mechanisms to detect security incidents promptly. This can involve the use of intrusion detection systems, log analysis, network monitoring tools, and user reporting channels. Incidents should be reported to the appropriate individuals or teams within the organization, such as the IRT or designated incident response coordinators.
  • Incident Analysis and Assessment: When an incident occurs, organizations should conduct an analysis and assessment to determine the nature, scope, and potential impact of the incident. This involves gathering evidence, conducting forensics investigations, and assessing the risk and damage caused by the incident.
  • Incident Response Plan: Organizations should develop and maintain an incident response plan that outlines the specific steps to be followed in response to different types of incidents. The plan should include procedures for containment, eradication, and recovery, as well as coordination with external entities, if necessary. The plan should be regularly tested, reviewed, and updated to ensure its effectiveness.
  • Incident Containment and Eradication: Once an incident is detected and analyzed, organizations should take immediate actions to contain the incident and prevent further damage. This can involve isolating affected systems, shutting down compromised accounts, and removing malicious software or unauthorized access points.
  • Incident Recovery and Post-Incident Activities: After the incident has been contained and eradicated, organizations should focus on restoring affected systems and data to their normal operational state. This includes restoring from backups, implementing patches or fixes, and validating the integrity of systems. Post-incident activities also include lessons learned exercises, documenting the incident response process, and implementing corrective actions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
  • Incident Reporting and Documentation: Organizations should maintain detailed records and documentation of security incidents, including incident reports, analysis findings, actions taken, and lessons learned. These records can be used for post-incident analysis, regulatory compliance, and future incident response planning.

By following the incident response controls in NIST 800-53, organizations can effectively detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. It is important for organizations to tailor these controls to their specific needs, regularly test and update their incident response capabilities, and foster a culture of incident awareness and reporting within the organization.

100 + NIST 800-53 Templates Available for Download for Federal Contractors

The solution for federal contractors is the Arlington Security Portal (ASP), an online repository of world-class, industry leading security and privacy policies & procedures, programs, plans – and other highly essential documents & templates developed specifically on NIST SP 800-53, Revision 5.

From Beginning to End, Complete Project Management for NIST RMF

With Arlington, we can manage your entire NIST RMF A&A process from beginning to end (i.e., from the initial scoping & gap assessment to post-Authorization to Operate (ATO) activities), providing essential services for getting you to the finish line in terms of your ATO.  Core services and solutions offered include the following:

  • Scoping & Gap (i.e., Readiness) Assessments
  • Remediation Services (Policy and Procedures writing)
  • Remediation Services (Technical and Operational)
  • System Security Plan (SSP) Development
  • Security Assessment Reports (SAR)
  • Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) Services

About Arlington

We are Arlington, a team of innovative, solution-oriented, highly agile, and well-versed professionals with decades of experience in working with America’s defense industry. From emerging cybersecurity regulations to helping our clients solve complex security & compliance solutions – and so much more – you can trust Arlington, the firm that’s Dedicated to Defense®.  Learn more at arlingtonintel.com