This week's article is about Recover, the fourth principle in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) guidelines.
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework's Recover function is a critical component that focuses on an organization's ability to bounce back after a cybersecurity incident. This function emphasizes the importance of swift and effective recovery to minimize downtime and reduce the overall impact of a cyber event.
Recovery planning, sometimes referred to as “disaster recovery”, is at the heart of this function. Organizations are encouraged to develop, test, and maintain comprehensive recovery procedures. The goal of these plans is to minimize data loss, downtime, and financial impacts. A good recovery plan should include the following elements: a detailed outline of the steps to restore critical systems and data, identification of the responsibilities of staff, plans to mitigate and reduce the impact of the incident, a backup plan that includes regularly scheduled backups, and a business impact analysis that evaluates the potential for lost data. Alongside the recovery plan should be a business continuity plan, which are instructions for sustaining an organization’s business processes during and after a significant cybersecurity disruption.
The Recover function emphasizes continuous improvement. After each incident, organizations should conduct thorough debriefings to identify areas for enhancement. This process allows for the refinement of recovery strategies and the incorporation of lessons learned into future plans.
Effective communication is crucial during the recovery phase. The framework stresses the importance of coordinating internally and externally with stakeholders, including customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders. Clear communication about recovery progress and expected timelines helps maintain trust and manage expectations.
There are some interesting nuances to this process. The Recover function goes beyond just restoring systems and data. It also emphasizes the importance of reputation recovery, recognizing that swift and appropriate recovery can even improve an organization's cybersecurity posture in the eyes of customers and the market.
An intriguing aspect of this function is its emphasis on verifying the integrity of backups and other restoration assets before using them. This step ensures that the recovery process doesn't inadvertently reintroduce vulnerabilities or malware into the system.
The framework introduces the concept of formally declaring the end of incident recovery based on specific criteria. This official acknowledgment signifies the return to normal operations and includes comprehensive documentation of the incident.
The Recover function encourages organizations to perform simulations of cybersecurity events that include executive decision-making and stakeholder communications. These simulations can even involve producing and legally reviewing a basic notification press release, preparing the organization for real-world scenarios.
By focusing on these aspects, the NIST CSF Recover function guides organizations to not only restore their systems efficiently but also to emerge stronger and more resilient after a cybersecurity incident. The SolarWinds supply chain attack of 2020 demonstrates the critical importance of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's Recover function. This sophisticated cyberattack affected thousands of organizations worldwide and highlighted the need for robust recovery planning and execution.
In December 2020, it was discovered that hackers had compromised SolarWinds' Orion software, a widely used IT management tool. The attackers inserted malicious code into Orion software updates, which were then distributed to SolarWinds' customers. This allowed the hackers to gain unauthorized access to numerous government agencies and private companies.
Organizations affected by the SolarWinds breach had to quickly implement their recovery plans to restore compromised systems and data. Those with well-developed recovery procedures were able to mitigate the effects of the event more efficiently. The SolarWinds attack revealed vulnerabilities in many organizations' supply chain security. In the aftermath, companies and government agencies had to reassess and improve their recovery processes, particularly in relation to third-party software risks.
The widespread nature of the SolarWinds attack required extensive coordination and communication, both internally within affected organizations and externally with stakeholders, customers, and the public. Clear communication channels and protocols, as emphasized in the NIST Recover function, were crucial for managing the crisis and maintaining trust.
Organizations had to meticulously verify the integrity of their restored systems and confirm that normal operating status was achieved without any residual malicious code. This process, which is a key component of the NIST Recover function, was critical in ensuring that the threat had been fully eradicated.
The SolarWinds incident reinforced several important aspects of cybersecurity recovery. Organizations with well-prepared recovery plans were able to respond more quickly and effectively to the breach. Additionally, the incident highlighted the need for improved vetting and monitoring of third-party software and services. Many organizations had to update their recovery processes to better address supply chain attacks in the future. Finally, clear and timely communication with all stakeholders proved crucial in managing the fallout from the attack.
The SolarWinds attack served as a wake-up call for many organizations, emphasizing the critical importance of the NIST Recover function. It demonstrated that in today's interconnected digital landscape, having a robust, well-tested recovery plan is not just a best practice, but an essential component of overall cybersecurity strategy.
Next week is our final article in this series, discussing the Govern function of the NIST CSF. For now, visit our solutions page to see how CyberZek’s team can help empower you to recover quickly and bounce back even better in the case of a cybersecurity incident.