Cybersecurity Incident Response & Reporting Process

Cybersecurity incidents can happen to any organization. Following a structured, transparent, and compliant process ensures quick containment, reduces risk, and builds trust with our customers.

🔐 Why This Process Matters

Cybersecurity incidents can happen to any organization. Following a structured, transparent, and compliant process ensures quick containment, reduces risk, and builds trust with our customers.

📖 Case Example: A Phishing Breach Attempt

At [FictiBadge™ Systems], we model our response on NIST CSF 2.0 functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) and track every step within our HubSpot CRM Cybersecurity Incident Pipeline.

In one simulated training event, a phishing email was sent to a Portal user pretending to be a Corporate Compliance Officer. The attacker requested full access to a customer’s account under the guise of an audit. Unfortunately, the employee approved the request.

This allowed the attacker to temporarily export sensitive customer data, including employee records and badge photos. A ransom demand followed, threatening to misuse the data if payment wasn’t made.

Thanks to our Incident Response Pipeline, the issue was:

• 🚨 Detected quickly through abnormal login alerts.

• 🛑 Contained by disabling the compromised account.

• 🔍 Investigated to identify the phishing source.

• 🔧 Remediated by patching processes and re-training users.

• 📢 Communicated transparently with stakeholders.

• ✅ Closed with updated training and improved security rules.

🛠️ Cybersecurity Support Pipeline (HubSpot CRM)

eXpress badging uses HubSpot tickets to log and track incidents through their lifecycle. Each stage aligns with NIST CSF 2.0 best practices and includes a checklist for accountability.

1. Incident Reported

• Trigger: Suspicious activity flagged (internal alert, user report, or client notification).

• HubSpot Action: Ticket created from webform, monitored inbox, or automation.

• Checklist:

  • Record reporter’s name, timestamp, and details.

  • Assign incident owner.

  • Mark “Incident Reported” property = Yes.

2. Triage & Verification

• Goal: Confirm if this is a valid security event or false alarm.

• HubSpot Action: Assign to Cybersecurity Lead.

• Checklist:

  • Document triage notes in ticket.

  • Mark “Verified Incident” = Yes/No.

  • Escalate if involving Scoped Systems or Client Data.

3. Containment

• Goal: Limit spread of incident.

• HubSpot Action: Create checklist tasks (e.g., disable account, block IP).

• Checklist:

  • Disable compromised accounts.

  • Isolate affected servers/applications.

  • Time-stamp actions in ticket notes.

4. Root Cause Analysis

• Goal: Identify how the breach occurred.

• HubSpot Action: Document findings in “Root Cause” property.

• Checklist:

  • Collect forensic logs.

  • Determine attack vector (e.g., phishing, exploit, credential theft).

  • Attach supporting evidence.

5. Remediation

• Goal: Fix vulnerabilities and prevent recurrence.

• HubSpot Action: Task assignments with deadlines.

• Checklist:

  • Reset credentials & enforce MFA.

  • Apply patches.

  • Update email filtering / DNS filtering rules.

  • Mark “Remediation Complete” property.

6. Recovery & Monitoring

• Goal: Return systems to normal and monitor for anomalies.

• HubSpot Action: Recurring tasks for 30-day monitoring.

• Checklist:

  • Validate restored services.

  • Confirm no repeat events.

  • Document recovery outcome.

7. Client/Stakeholder Communication

• Goal: Transparent updates while respecting confidentiality.

• HubSpot Action: Use templated notification emails.

• Checklist:

  • Notify affected customers.

  • Share incident summary with leadership.

  • Store communication copies in ticket.

8. Post-Incident Review & Training Update

• Goal: Learn from the event and strengthen defenses.

• HubSpot Action: Schedule follow-up training session.

• Checklist:

  • Hold lessons-learned meeting.

  • Update cybersecurity training.

  • Add improvement items to EOS Scorecard.

9. Closed – Documented

• Goal: Ensure closure with evidence and compliance trail.

• HubSpot Action: Ticket status set to Closed, mandatory fields complete.

• Checklist:

  • Incident summary finalized.

  • Evidence archived.

  • Training updates recorded.

  • Compliance checklist 100% complete.