It is critical to establish a clear understanding on what is permissible during the engagement.
Otherwise, the tester may inadvertently trigger a system outage or inadvertently corrupt files. Not as important, but still useful, is to request a list of what software will be used. As for monitoring the intrusion detection system (IDS) and firewall, and providing directions to IT staff, it is better not to alert those responsible for monitoring (other than at the management level), so that the effectiveness of that monitoring can be accurately assessed.

Performing post-incident reviews is the best way to enhance training for incident response teams because it allows them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their response, learn from the lessons and best practices, and implement corrective actions and improvement plans for future incidents. Post-incident reviews also help to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the incident response process and procedures, and to update them as needed.

The effectiveness of an incident response team will be greatest when the incident response process is updated based on lessons learned. This ensures that the team can continuously improve its performance and capabilities, and address any gaps or weaknesses identified during previous incidents. Updating the incident response process based on lessons learned also helps to align the process with the changing business and security environment, and to incorporate best practices and standards. Meeting on a regular basis to review log files, having trained security personnel as team members, and using a security information and event monitoring (SIEM) system are all important factors for an incident response team, but they are not sufficient to ensure the effectiveness of the team. Reviewing log files may help to detect and analyze incidents, but it does not guarantee that the team can respond appropriately and efficiently. Having trained security personnel may enhance the skills and knowledge of the team, but it does not ensure that the team can work collaboratively and communicate effectively. Using a SIEM system may facilitate the identification and prioritization of incidents, but it does not ensure that the team can follow the established procedures and protocols. Reference = CISM Review Manual, 16th Edition, page 1361; CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition, page 1492

Section: INCIDENT MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE