CYBER SECURITY INCIDENT REPORT

Published 01/05/2025

Both small and large scale firms are taking cyber security as a priority when making future decisions. Technology has done it for us, but the negative implications is that it has prompted businesses to venture into security protocols. The digital world is full of hackers, malware, and ransomware taking advantage of less secure systems and networks. In today's world, there is no privacy so long as you are using a network.

The demand for cyber security information and guidance prompted the development of cyber security incident reports. A cyber security incident is an attempted and unauthorized access, disclosure, denial of service, destruction, or modification of information. It includes violating an organization's policies, interference with information technology, laws, and regulations.

Examples of cyber security incidents include; unauthorized use of the organization's network or system, denial of service attack, compromising user accounts, theft of organization's data storage equipment, unauthorized modification of data, hardware/software misconfiguration, ransomware, cryptographic flaw, lost device, and phishing.

Cyber security incidents are meant to jeopardize the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of networks and information systems. The reporting should take place within 24 hours after confirmation.

Cyber Security Incident Report Template

View Report Templates, Forms and Examples

Types of Cyber Incidents

When it comes to the realm of cyber incidents, there exists a myriad of potential threats and breaches that can wreak havoc on individuals, organizations, and nations alike. From the notorious malware attacks that infiltrate systems clandestinely to the ever-prevalent phishing schemes that deceive unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive information, the spectrum of cyber incidents is undeniably vast and multifaceted. Moreover, ransomware has emerged as a particularly insidious form of cyber incident, holding valuable data hostage until exorbitant ransoms are paid. In addition to these well-known threats, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks have also become increasingly prevalent, rendering online services inaccessible by overwhelming servers with an avalanche of traffic.

When delving into the intricate landscape of cyber incidents, it becomes evident that the threat landscape is constantly evolving and expanding. One prominent type of cyber incident is social engineering, wherein perpetrators manipulate individuals through psychological tactics to obtain confidential information or access privileged systems. Furthermore, insider threats pose a significant risk to organizations, as disgruntled or compromised employees may leverage their internal knowledge to perpetrate cyber incidents from within. Another notable concern is system vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access and compromise critical infrastructure. With this ever-present array of cyber incidents looming on the digital horizon, it is imperative for individuals and entities alike to remain vigilant and proactive in fortifying their defenses against such nefarious malfeasance.

Common cyber security incidents that may occur in an organization:

1. Phishing attacks

Personal information is private and confidential, but hackers work on systems and networks to access it. Phishing is an unlawful gathering of personal data using deceptive websites and emails. It is a very sophisticated and venerable cyber attack. Cybercriminals masquerade as trusted websites and emails that need personal information from their users.

Mostly, it is done through sending links that seem genuine and demand personal information like names, date of birth, residential area, credit card numbers, telephone number, and secret pins. When they gather the data, they use it to withdraw money from bank accounts, register accounts and deny the users from accessing their accounts.

2. Denial-of-service attacks

Cybercriminals practice denial of service to bar users from accessing a certain resource from the internet. Sometimes may include shutting down systems, websites, personal machines, and network infrastructure.

3. Malware and ransomware attacks

Malware combines worms, Trojans, adware, ransomware, file infectors, etc. Ransomware and malware are the unauthorized installations of malicious software in machines. Others are installed by users unknowingly when installing anti-viruses, freeware, and other applications. What happens is that a line of code is attached to the application being installed, and when clicked, it installs itself in the machine.

4. Password attacks

Hackers manipulate accounts to steal passwords to access the account without the users' consent. Cybercriminals use different tricks to obtain user passwords like brute-force, sniffing, password-cracking software, dictionary attacks, and password guessing. Out of the above password attacks, password guessing is the simplest and does not rely on complicated knowledge.

Some people use their date of birth as passwords, identification numbers, favorite car, pet, or nicknames as password. Password guessing is based on personal knowledge about the target. Attackers know that older people have low memory and cannot remember strong passwords. They often use simple digits like 1234 or their middle name as passwords.

5. Drive-by-attacks

If you've keen when browsing, you should have realized several links that re-direct you to other websites. These links usually have an engaging and attractive message like winning gifts, scholarships, love, and dating tips. The links are enticing but contain malicious scripts embedded into a code that, when you click, malware downloads and installs in the drive. The malware corrupts the machine and steals all data saved in it.

6. Man-in-the middle attacks

Communication between parties over the internet is very risky, mostly when discussing private issues or finance. Man in the middle is an intruder who intercepts and listens to the conversation without the knowledge of the communicating parties. Examples of man-in-the-middle attacks include; eavesdropping, email, and session hijacking.

Cyber security is becoming a trend in the 21st century because hackers terrorize people every second. Every company or individual who owns a website, YouTube channel, or a social media page is mandated to ensure that users have secure access to the data.

A single incident has the power to disrupt entire systems and cause widespread chaos for individuals as well as businesses alike. Understanding the significance of cyber security incidents helps us appreciate the need for robust protective measures across all online platforms.

Staying informed about cyber security incidents is crucial for recognizing potential warning signs and taking proactive steps to mitigate risks. By being aware of common tactics used by hackers and understanding how vulnerabilities are exploited, individuals and organizations can better protect themselves against potential threats. This knowledge empowers us to stay vigilant and actively participate in creating a safer online environment for everyone.

What to include on a Cyber Security Incident Report form

When it comes to cyber security, incident report forms are essential for keeping a handle on potential breaches. These forms provide information about the security incident and what steps need to be taken in order to ensure safety going forward. Depending upon the type of incident that occurred, the form can include a variety of elements, but these core items should always be included.

Firstly, when filing an incident report, companies should include an accurate description of what happened. This includes providing details such as any external sources causing harm or disruption to their systems or networks and the types of data that might have been exposed or affected by the attack. Date and time stamps should also be provided so that investigators can gain a better understanding of how long the breach lasted.

Secondly, it's important to note which cybersecurity measures were not successful in preventing the attack as well as any countermeasures implemented after the attack occurred. All failed policies and activities involved should also be listed out on this section of the form for future reference. Additionally, companies may wish to provide any additional details they think could help with analyzing where there may have been weaknesses in their system before a breach took place.

Thirdly, businesses should document all relevant financial information associated with the breach, such as what costs were incurred due to preventive actions taken and any compensations given out for losses suffered by victims of fraud or other malicious acts. Companies may also wish to document instances where services have been suspended due to a security incident and how much revenue was lost thanks to its interruption as well.

Finally, once all relevant information is documented on an incident report form, it's crucial that businesses detail their chosen course of action moving forward so they can take proactive steps towards strengthening their cyber security posture in order to protect against similar attacks in the future. This means documenting every step taken throughout remediation process up until such time when operations have returned back online with restored confidence amongst its user base.