Security Incident Response Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Security Incident Response Policy is to provide a structured approach to managing and responding to security incidents that may affect Vendo's operations, systems, or data. This policy establishes guidelines and procedures to ensure that security incidents are properly identified, reported, contained, investigated, and remediated in a consistent and effective manner.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all Vendo employees, contractors, consultants, temporary workers, and other personnel. It covers all information systems, networks, applications, and data owned, operated, or managed by Vendo, including those hosted in third-party environments.

3. Definitions

Security Incident: Any event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of Vendo's information systems, networks, or data, or constitutes a violation of Vendo's security policies or practices.

Security Event: An observable occurrence in an information system or network that may require analysis to determine if it constitutes a security incident.

Incident Response Team (IRT): A designated group of individuals responsible for responding to and managing security incidents.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

4.1 Incident Response Team (IRT)

The Incident Response Team consists of:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) - Team Lead
• IT Security Manager
• Network Administrator
• System Administrator
• Legal Counsel
• Corporate Communications Representative

4.2 IRT Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the incident response plan
• Respond to and manage security incidents
• Conduct incident investigations
• Document incidents and response activities
• Perform post-incident analysis
• Recommend preventive measures

5. Incident Response Process

5.1 Preparation

The IRT maintains a state of readiness to respond to security incidents through:

• Regular training and awareness programs
• Development and maintenance of incident response procedures
• Implementation of tools and resources for incident detection and response
• Conducting periodic drills and exercises to test the incident response plan

5.2 Identification

Security incidents may be identified through various sources, including:

• Security monitoring systems and alerts
• Reports from employees or users
• Notifications from third-party vendors
• Automated detection mechanisms

All employees are required to report suspected security incidents to the IT Help Desk or directly to the Security Team.

5.3 Containment

Upon identification of a security incident, the IRT will take immediate steps to contain the incident and prevent further damage. Containment strategies may include:

• Isolating affected systems
• Blocking malicious IP addresses
• Disabling compromised accounts
• Implementing additional security controls

5.4 Eradication

After containing the incident, the IRT will work to eliminate the cause of the incident by:

• Removing malware
• Patching vulnerabilities
• Rebuilding compromised systems
• Resetting compromised credentials

5.5 Recovery

The recovery phase involves restoring affected systems and data to normal operation. Recovery activities may include:

• Restoring systems from backups
• Implementing additional security controls
• Verifying system functionality
• Monitoring systems for signs of continued compromise

5.6 Post-Incident Analysis

Following the resolution of a security incident, the IRT will conduct a post-incident analysis to:

• Document the incident and response activities
• Identify lessons learned
• Recommend improvements to security controls and processes
• Update the incident response plan as needed

6. Incident Classification

Security incidents are classified based on their severity and potential impact:

• Low: Minimal impact on operations, no sensitive data exposed
• Medium: Moderate impact on operations, potential exposure of non-sensitive data
• High: Significant impact on operations, potential exposure of sensitive data
• Critical: Severe impact on operations, confirmed exposure of sensitive data

7. Reporting and Communication

7.1 Internal Reporting

The IRT will provide regular updates to management and affected business units during the incident response process. The frequency and detail of these updates will depend on the severity and nature of the incident.

7.2 External Reporting

External reporting may be required depending on the nature of the incident and applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations. The Legal Counsel will determine if external reporting is required and will coordinate the reporting process.

7.3 Communication Plan

The Corporate Communications Representative will develop and implement a communication plan for significant incidents, ensuring that appropriate information is shared with affected parties in a timely manner.

8. Documentation and Record Keeping

The IRT will maintain detailed records of all security incidents, including:

• Date and time of the incident
• Nature and description of the incident
• Systems, data, and operations affected
• Response actions taken
• Resolution of the incident
• Lessons learned and recommendations

All incident documentation will be stored securely and retained in accordance with Vendo's data retention policies.

9. Training and Awareness

Vendo will provide regular security awareness training to all employees, emphasizing the importance of identifying and reporting potential security incidents. Members of the IRT will receive specialized training on incident response procedures and tools.

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or more frequently if significant changes occur in Vendo's technology environment or in response to security incidents. Updates to the policy will be communicated to all employees.