Navigating Disruptions: The Crucial Role of Incident Classification

In the paced and interconnected world of technology, organizations can experience unexpected events at any moment causing disruptions and putting sensitive information at risk. To effectively handle these situations organizations rely on what is called incident classification. 

What is Incident Classification? 

Incident classification is the process of categorizing incidents according to their level of severity, impact, and urgency, in order to effectively prioritize incidents and allocate resources. Organizations can face various types of incidents, such as IT incidents, physical security incidents, health and safety incidents, system failures, etc. 

As a result, organizations are able to assess the severity of each incident, which in turn helps them make decisions and plan for the future. IT incidents, security incidents, and other disruptions can all occur at the same time. Their classification allows organizations to customize their response strategies, thus, reducing downtime, safeguarding data, and protecting their reputation.

Incident Classification Criteria and ISO/IEC 27035

To effectively categorize incidents, organizations must establish criteria that typically consider factors such as the severity of the incident, its impact, urgency, potential outcomes, and the extent of its reach. A well-known framework helping with IT incidents is ISO/IEC 27035 Information Security Incident Management. 

ISO/IEC 27035 is a globally recognized standard that provides guidance on how to handle security incidents in the field of information security. It assists organizations in responding and minimizing the impact of such incidents. Incident classification is a component of incident management as it aids in understanding the nature and severity of each incident. 

ISO/IEC 27035 facilitates incident classification by providing a consistent framework, for categorizing incidents based on their characteristics. This standard defines attributes, including the source of the incident, the type of attack, and the potential consequences. By utilizing this classification approach organizations can prioritize their efforts in responding to incidents, allocating resources, and enhancing their security posture. 

Incident Classification Process

To streamline incident response efforts, it is crucial to have a defined process for classifying incidents. This process involves several important steps such as: 

• Incident Identification – The first step is to identify security incidents. This can be done through different methods like intrusion detection systems, employee reports, security monitoring, or automated alerts.
• Incident Logging – Once incidents are identified, it is crucial to record all information about them in a centralized log which will serve as a reference throughout the classification process.
• Initial Triage – This is the phase where a preliminary assessment of the incident takes place. The incident response team evaluates the information to determine if it qualifies as a security incident and if further investigation is necessary.
• Gathering Information – After confirming the incident, the response team collects all data related to it. This includes information from affected systems, network logs, user accounts, and any other relevant sources.
• Incident Classification Attributes – To aid in categorizing the incident ISO/IEC 27035 provides a set of attributes for classification. These include identifying whether the source of the incident was external or internal and determining the type of attack. Also, identifying the affected assets involved and the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
• Classification Decision – Based on all gathered information and considering these classification attributes, experts classify each incident into its category. 
• Incident Documentation – Proper documentation is essential, for recording the classification process and the reasoning behind the classification decision. This documentation serves as a record of the incident aiding in investigation and analysis.
• Incident Reporting – Depending on the organizations' policies and regulations incidents may require reporting to stakeholders, management, or external authorities. Accurately classifying incidents ensures that precise and relevant information is provided during reporting.
• Response and Mitigation – Once an incident is classified, the incident response team can implement strategies for response and mitigation based on the severity and impact of the incident.
• Continuous Improvement – After resolving an incident, organizations have the opportunity to review their incident classification process and response procedures. This review aims to identify opportunities for improvement. 

Incident Classification Levels 

Severity levels play a role, in determining the urgency of response actions. By assigning severity levels, incident response teams can prioritize incidents according to their impact, on business operations, data integrity, and customer trust. 

For example, incidents classified as "Low Severity" may follow a resolution process whereas those labeled as "Critical Severity" require action and involvement at a higher level. Appropriately escalating incidents based on their classification ensures that the necessary resources are allocated promptly to address issues.