Cybersecurity Analyst how-to
How to Follow the Incident Response Lifecycle
A defined process keeps incidents under control. Many organizations follow NIST guidance.
A defined process keeps incidents under control. Many organizations follow NIST guidance. In short: preparation; detection; containment, then complete the remaining steps below.
Step by step
Preparation: maintain plans, contacts, tools and training before incidents happen.
Detection and analysis: confirm the incident and determine scope and severity.
Containment: limit damage, such as isolating affected systems.
Eradication: remove the cause, such as malware or compromised accounts.
Recovery: restore systems and monitor for recurrence.
Post-incident activity: document lessons learned and improve defenses.
Safety reminders for cybersecurity analysts
- Act only within your authorization and organizational policy
- Handle evidence carefully and preserve chain of custody
- Protect sensitive data you encounter during investigations
- Follow legal and regulatory notification requirements
Key terms
SOC · SIEM · EDR · IOC · Phishing · Ransomware: see the full cybersecurity analyst glossary.