Information Security Incident Response Policy

Version 1.4

For Students, Faculty, Staff, Guests, Alumni

Purpose

This policy defines the responsibilities of all members of the University community when responding to or reporting information security incidents.

Scope

This IT security policy, and all policies referenced herein, shall apply to all members of the University community, including faculty, students, administrative officials, staff, alumni, authorized guests, delegates, and independent contractors (the “User(s)” or “you”) who use, access, or otherwise employ, locally or remotely, the University’s IT Resources, whether individually controlled, shared, stand-alone, or networked.

Policy Statement

• Any individual who suspects that a theft, breach, or exposure of Fordham Protected data or Fordham Sensitive data has occurred must immediately describe what happened to the Information Security and Assurance via email sent to [email protected] or call 888-382-3443 option 5.
• The Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) handles the incident response process per the Cyber Security Incident Response Plan (CSIRP). Incident handling must include preparation, detection and analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, coordination with applicable business continuity and disaster recovery activities, and incorporation of lessons learned into response procedures, training, and testing.
• Information Security and Assurance, in coordination with the CSIRT, must document, track, and monitor Incidents from initial identification through closure, including response actions, status, and disposition.
• Information Security and Assurance must maintain and distribute the CSIRP to designated personnel. The CSIRP must define the University’s incident response structure, roles and responsibilities, reportable Incident criteria, escalation and communication requirements, information-sharing and coordination requirements, resources and management support, and requirements for plan review and update.
• Incidents involving the unauthorized exposure or disclosure of Fordham Protected Data or Fordham Sensitive Data must be identified, contained, assessed, remediated, and documented in accordance with the CSIRP and Information Security Breach Response policy. The response must include identification of affected information and systems, evaluation of exposure, and any required notification or escalation.
• All members of the CSIRT must participate in the Testing, Training, & Exercise (TT&E) program to sustain and refine the University’s ability to handle Incidents following the best practices outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-84.

Definitions

An incident is an occurrence that actually or potentially jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an information system or the information the system processes, stores, or transmits or that constitutes a violation or imminent threat of violation of security policies, security procedures, or acceptable use policies.  

IT Resources include computing, networking, communications, application, and telecommunications systems, infrastructure, hardware, software, data, databases, personnel, procedures, physical facilities, cloud-based vendors, Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors, and related materials and services.

NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 Alignment:

• Controls addressed by this revision: IR-4 Incident Handling; IR-5 Incident Monitoring; IR-8 Incident Response Plan; IR-9 Information Spillage Response.
• Existing requirements in this policy also support IR-2 Incident Response Training; IR-3 Incident Response Testing; and IR-6 Incident Reporting.

Related Policies and Procedures

• Cyber Security Incident Response Plan (CSIRP)
• Information Security Breach Response

Implementation Information

Revision History

Policy Disclaimer Statement

Deviations from policies, procedures, or guidelines published and approved by Information Security and Assurance (ISA) will only be considered cooperatively between ISA and the requesting entity with sufficient notice to allow for conducting appropriate risk analysis, documentation, review, and notification to authorized University representatives where necessary. Failure to adhere to ISA written policies may be met with University sanctions up to and including dismissal.