Speaker: Sean, 30-year security veteran, Technical Program Manager at Google Workspace.
Key Message: During a data breach, maintaining composure and executing the incident management plan are paramount.
Phase 1: Maintaining Composure & Containment:
- Stay Calm: The incident manager must remain calm and collected, providing a reassuring presence amidst the panic.
- Contain the Breach: Prioritize stopping the data loss immediately. This might involve shutting down systems (servers, data centers, comms) as necessary. Hemorrhaging data must be stopped first.
Phase 2: Investigation & Remediation:
- Investigate: Once the breach is contained, begin a thorough investigation to understand its cause, scope, and impact.
- Follow the Plan: Executing the pre-established incident management plan is crucial for effective response.
Illustrative Example:
Sean recounted a breach involving a server purchased on eBay containing 20 million credit card records. This highlighted the critical need for controlling third-party access and data wiping procedures, particularly when outsourcing data center operations.
Key Learning for Entry-Level Personnel: Focus on executing the incident management plan.
Actionable Items:
- Review and update existing incident management plans.
- Strengthen third-party vendor risk management processes, especially regarding data handling and security practices.
- Conduct regular security awareness training emphasizing the importance of data security and handling procedures.