Incident Recognition & Reporting
Learn to identify security incidents early and report them effectively. Quick recognition and proper reporting can mean the difference between a minor issue and a major breach.
Understanding Security Incidents
A security incident is any event that potentially threatens the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information or systems. Understanding different types of incidents helps you recognize them quickly.
What Constitutes a Security Incident:
1. Unauthorized Access Someone gaining access to systems, data, or physical areas without permission.
Examples: - Unknown logins to your accounts - Unauthorized access to sensitive files - Physical intrusion to secure areas - Shared credentials being misused
2. Malware Infections Malicious software affecting your systems.
Examples: - Ransomware encrypting files - Viruses spreading through networks - Spyware stealing information - Trojans providing backdoor access
3. Data Breaches Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information.
Examples: - Customer data exposure - Employee records accessed - Financial information leaked - Intellectual property stolen
4. Phishing & Social Engineering Attempts to manipulate employees into harmful actions.
Examples: - Phishing emails received - Social engineering calls - Business email compromise attempts - Fake websites discovered
5. Lost or Stolen Equipment Missing devices containing company data.
Examples: - Stolen laptops - Lost phones - Missing USB drives - Misplaced access cards
6. Accidental Exposure Unintentional disclosure of sensitive information.
Examples: - Email sent to wrong recipient - Sensitive document left in public area - Data uploaded to wrong location - Unintended data in shared files
7. Policy Violations Actions that violate security policies.
Examples: - Sharing passwords - Installing unauthorized software - Bypassing security controls - Using unsecured networks for work
8. Physical Security Incidents Events affecting physical security.
Examples: - Tailgating through secure doors - Suspicious persons in secure areas - Unlocked server rooms - Documents in unsecured trash
Why Every Incident Matters:
- Small incidents can indicate larger problems
- Attack patterns emerge from multiple reports
- Early detection limits damage
- Compliance may require reporting all incidents
- Lessons learned improve defenses