Incident scope

Incident scope in the information security field is a term used to describe the extent and width of the investigation and associated responses to an information security related event. The scope should define the associated immediacy of response, as well as defining the range of the incident. It should also consider the extent of the damage caused by the incident, the response resources needed, the response objectives, as well as any associated compliance obligations.

The key factor in determining the incident scope is identifying whether the incident is a current or potential threat to the organisation and the underlying information systems. This should include analyzing the broader impact of the incident on the organisational overall objectives. Incident scope should also consider the current security posture of the organisation and the underlying infrastructure when determining the scope.

Once identified, the incident scope should provide a foundation to any response action plan, as well as allow a prioritizing of tasks in order to ensure the efficient and effective allocation of resources.

Furthermore, incident scope should also assist in confining the extent of the investigation to the required responses associated with each component of the incident. A smaller and containable incident scope also helps to contain the severity of the incident, as well as any associated media attention. Additionally, incident scope should consider the legal and regulatory requirements of the organisation and the incident in order to ensure that any impact is minimized and the potential for courts to become involved are eliminated.

A successful management of incident scope can also help to gain the confidence of related stakeholders and customers that any response has been undertaken in a timely and efficient manner. Ensuring that the incident scope is actively managed should provide evidence that any form of security incident has been effectively responded to.