Overview

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published the draft update to the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP) for public comment on the Federal Register. Developed through collaboration with the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) and in close coordination with the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), this update addresses new changes in cybersecurity and incorporates significant changes in policy, law, and operational processes since the plan’s initial release in 2016.

The NCIRP serves as the strategic framework guiding the U.S. response to cyber incidents. It aligns efforts across government agencies, private sector entities, state and local governments, tribal and territorial authorities, and international partners. The plan outlines four critical lines of effort (LOEs) to ensure a cohesive and coordinated approach to incident response: Asset Response, Threat Response, Intelligence Support, and Affected Entity Response. These efforts aim to manage cyber incidents of varying severity and ensure timely actions during the response lifecycle.

The release of this draft update marks an important step in enhancing the nation’s ability to respond effectively to cyber threats‘ growing complexity and sophistication. CISA has worked closely with government and industry partners to create an agile, actionable framework that keeps pace with their rapid evolution.

Key Updates to the National Cyber Incident Response Plan

Several critical updates have been introduced in this draft version of the NCIRP, which are designed to improve coordination and responsiveness during cyber incidents. These changes include:

1. Defined Path for Non-Federal Stakeholder Participation: This update clarifies the process by which non-federal stakeholders, including private sector entities, can participate in cyber incident response efforts. Given the growing role of the private sector in cybersecurity, this path ensures more comprehensive engagement in the event of a major cyber incident.
2. Improved Usability: The plan has been streamlined to enhance its usability. The updated version aligns with the operational lifecycle of incident response, making it more straightforward for agencies and organizations to implement during real-world incidents.
3. Incorporation of Legal and Policy Changes: The draft incorporates the latest legal and policy developments impacting the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in cyber incident response. These updates ensure that the plan is in line with current regulatory frameworks and legal requirements.
4. Predictable Update Cycle: The NCIRP will now undergo regular updates, ensuring that it remains relevant as the threat landscape evolves. The predictable cycle will allow for continual refinement based on feedback, emerging threats, and changing technological realities.

In her statement on the publication of the draft update, CISA Director Jen Easterly emphasized the necessity of a seamless, agile, and effective incident response framework. She noted that “Today’s increasingly complex threat environment demands that we have a seamless, agile, and effective incident response framework” and encouraged public comment to refine the document further.

Overview of the National Cyber Incident Response Plan

The NCIRP is an important guide for coordinating responses to cyber incidents that could affect national security, the economy, or public health. The plan was initially published in 2016 and is an essential component of the U.S. government’s broader cybersecurity strategy. The 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy called for the update to reflect new cyber threats, organizational changes, and policy shifts.

The NCIRP is not a step-by-step guide but rather a flexible framework for coordinating efforts during a cyber incident. It defines the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including federal agencies, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations. By laying out these roles and mechanisms, the NCIRP fosters coordinated action across sectors and jurisdictions, ensuring that resources are deployed effectively during a crisis.

Four Lines of Effort for Cyber Incident Response

The NCIRP outlines four primary lines of effort that guide the U.S. government’s response to cyber incidents. These are:

• Asset Response: Led by CISA, this effort focuses on helping affected entities protect their assets and mitigate the impacts of a cyber incident. It includes providing technical assistance to organizations and supporting them in securing critical infrastructure.
• Threat Response: The Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI, and the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF) are responsible for leading efforts to neutralize cyber threats and track down cybercriminals. The FBI, in particular, plays a central role in law enforcement response and investigations.
• Intelligence Support: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), through the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), provides essential intelligence to guide response efforts. This line of effort helps ensure that the U.S. government has the latest information on adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
• Affected Entity Response: In cases where a federal agency or private sector organization is directly impacted, it is responsible for leading its own response, though it coordinates with CISA, the Department of Defense (DOD), or other federal partners as needed. This effort is vital for managing the operational continuity of affected entities.

These lines of effort are managed through structured coordination bodies such as the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (Cyber UCG), which brings together stakeholders from across the government and the private sector to ensure unified, cohesive action. The Cyber Response Group (CRG) focuses on broader policy and strategic coordination, ensuring alignment with national cybersecurity priorities.

The Detection and Response Phases

Cyber incident response is broken down into two main phases: Detection and Response.

1. Detection: This phase involves continuous monitoring, analysis, and engagement with critical infrastructure owners to validate whether an incident is significant enough to require a full-scale response. Detection includes analyzing anomalies, working with the cybersecurity community, and validating the severity of the incident.
2. Response: Once an incident has been confirmed as significant, the response phase begins. This phase focuses on containment, eradication, and recovery, as well as supporting law enforcement in their efforts to attribute and hold perpetrators accountable. The response efforts also include supporting affected entities as they recover and restore services.

In both phases, the roles of federal agencies, SLTT governments, and private sector entities are critical. The JCDC plays a central role in coordinating public-private collaboration, ensuring that both sectors are aligned in their efforts to defend against and recover from cyber incidents.

Conclusion

The updated National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP) emphasizes continuous improvement and collaboration. After an incident, the Cyber Response Group (CRG) reviews the response and prepares a report, which helps refine future efforts. The Cyber Safety Review Board also provides independent recommendations to strengthen cybersecurity.

CISA is committed to regularly updating the NCIRP, incorporating feedback from the public and private sectors, and adapting to new threats and technologies. The Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) plays a key role in ensuring coordinated efforts. The updated NCIRP aims to strengthen national preparedness and ensure effective response to future cyber incidents.

References

• https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/cisa-publishes-draft-national-cyber-incident-response-plan-public-comment
• https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/NCIRP%20Update%20Public%20Comment%20Draft%20508c.pdf

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