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Internet Engineering Task Force Nevil Brownlee
INTERNET-DRAFT The University of Auckland
Valid for six months Erik Guttman
Sun Microsystems
March
April 1997
Expectations for Security Incident Response
<draft-ietf-grip-framework-irt-04.txt>
<draft-ietf-grip-framework-irt-05.txt>
Status of this Memo
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Abstract
The purpose of this document is to express the general Internet
community's expectations of Security Incident Response Teams. Teams (SIRTs).
It is not possible to define a set of requirements that would be
appropriate for all teams, but it is possible and helpful to list
and describe the general set of topics and issues which are of
concern and interest to constituent communities.
SIRT constituents have a legitimate need and right to fully
understand the policies and procedures of "their" Security Incident
Response Team. One way to support this understanding is to supply
detailed information which users may consider, in the form of a
formal template completed by the SIRT. An outline of such a
template and a filled in example is are provided.
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 28 April 97
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1
2 Scope..............................................................3 Scope.............................................................3
2.1 Publishing a SIRT Policies and Procedures .....................4 ......................3
2.2 Relationships between different SIRTs .........................5 ........................4
2.3 Establishing Secure Communications ............................6 ...........................5
3 Information, Policies and Procedures...............................7 Procedures..............................6
3.1 Obtaining the Document........................................7
3.2 Contact Information ...........................................8
3.2 Document Updates ..............................................9 ..........................................8
3.3 Charter .......................................................9 ......................................................9
3.3.1 Mission Statement.......................................10 Statement.......................................9
3.3.2 Constituency............................................10 Constituency............................................9
3.3.3 Sponsoring Organization / Affiliation...................10 Affiliation...................9
3.3.4 Authority...............................................11 Authority...............................................9
3.4 Policies .....................................................11 ....................................................10
3.4.1 Types of Incidents and Level of Support.................11 Support................10
3.4.2 Co-operation and Co-operation, Interaction with other Organizations...12
3.4.3 Reporting and Disclosure................................13
3.4.4 Disclosure of
Information............................................11
3.4.3 Communication and Authentication........................14
3.4.5 Point of Customer Contacts..............................14 Authentication.......................13
3.5 Services .....................................................15 ....................................................14
3.6 Incident Reporting Forms .....................................15 ....................................14
3.7 Disclaimers ..................................................16
4 .................................................15
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms 17
5 15
Appendix B: Related Material 18
6 17
Appendix C: Known Security Incident Response Teams 19
7 18
Appendix D: Outline for SIRT Template 21
8 19
Appendix E: Example - 'filled-in' Template for a SIRT 22
9 20
4 Acknowlegments 31
5 References 29
10 32
6 Security Considerations 29
11 32
7 Authors' Addresses 29
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97 32
1 Introduction
The GRIP Working Group was formed to create a document that describes
the community's expectations of security incident response teams
(SIRTs). Although the need for such a document originated in the
general Internet community, the expectations expressed should also
closely match those of more restricted communities.
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In the past there have been misunderstandings regarding what to
expect from SIRTs. The goal of this document is to provide a
framework for presenting the important subjects (related to incident
response) that are of concern to the community.
Before continuing, it is important to clearly understand what is
meant by the term "Security Incident Response Team." For the
purposes of this document, a SIRT is a team that performs,
coordinates, and supports the response to security incidents that
involve sites within a defined constituency (see Appendix A for a
more complete definition). Any group calling itself a SIRT for a
specific constituency must therefore react to reported security
incidents, and to threats to "their" constituency in ways which the
specific community agrees to be in its general interest.
Since it is vital that each member of a constituent community be
able to understand what is reasonable to expect of their team, A a SIRT
should make it clear who belongs to their constituency and define the
services the team offers to the community. Additionally, each SIRT
should publish its policies and operating procedures. Similarly,
these same constituents need to know what is expected of them in
order for them to receive the services of their team. This requires
that the team also publish how and where incidents should be reported. to report incidents.
This document details a template which will be used by SIRTs to
communicate this information to their constituents. The constituents
should certainly expect a SIRT to provide the services they describe
in the completed template.
It must be emphasised that without active participation from users,
the effectiveness of the SIRT's services can be greatly diminished.
This is particularly the case with reporting. At a minimum, users
need to know that they should report security incidents, and know how
and to where they should report them to.
Many computer security incidents originate outside local community
boundaries and affect inside sites, others originate inside the local
community and affect hosts or users on the outside. Often, therefore,
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
the handling of security incidents will involve the cooperation of
multiple sites and potentially multiple SIRTs. The coordination of
activities across communities and organization requires that the
parties understand who they are dealing with, and what sort of policies
they have in place. them.
Many computer security incidents originate outside local community
boundaries and affect inside sites, others originate inside the local
community and affect hosts or users on the outside. Often,
therefore, the handling of security incidents will involve multiple
sites and potentially multiple SIRTs. Resolving these incidents will
require cooperation between individual sites and SIRTs, and between
SIRTs.
Constituent communities need to know exactly how their SIRT will be
working with other SIRTs and organizations outside their
constituency, and what information will be shared.
The rest of this document describes the set of topics and issues that
SIRTs need to elaborate for their constituents. However, there is no
attempt to specify the "correct" answer to any one topic area.
Rather, each topic is discussed it in terms of what that topic means.
For example, five types of policy statements are listed
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 15 April 97
(representing those policies of interest to the community), but the
content of any one of them will necessarily be specific to a given
team.
Chapter two provides an overview of three major areas: The the
publishing of information by a response team, the definition of the
response team's relationship to other response teams teams, and the need
for secure communications. Chapter three describes in detail all the
types of information that the community needs to know about their
response team.
These
For ease of use by the community, these topics are condensed into an
outline template for ease of use by
the community, and is found in Appendix D. This template can be used
by constituents to elicit information from their SIRT, and it provides
criteria with which to measure their team's performance. SIRT.
It is the working group's sincere hope that through the clarification
of the topics in this document, understanding between the community
and its SIRTs will be increased.
2 Scope
The interactions between a constituent community and an incident response team and its
constituent community response team require first that the community understands
understand the policies and procedures of the response team. Second,
since many response teams collaborate to handle incidents, the
community must also understand the relationship between their
response team and
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97 other teams. Finally, many interactions will take
advantage of existing public infrastructures and infrastructures, so the community needs
to know how those communications are going to will be protected. Each of these
subjects will be described in more detail in the following three
sections.
2.1 Publishing a SIRT Policies and Procedures
Each user who has access to a Security Incident Response Team should
know as much as possible about the services of and interactions with
this team long before he or she actually needs them.
A clear statement of the policies and procedures of a SIRT helps the
constituent understand how best to report incidents and what support
to expect afterwards. Will the SIRT assist in resolving the
incident? Will it provide help in avoiding incidents in the
future? Clear expectations, particularly of the limitations of the
services provided by a SIRT, will make interaction with it more
efficient and effective.
There are different kinds of response teams. Some that teams: some have very broad
constituencies (e.g., CERT Coordination Center and the Internet),
others that have more bounded constituencies (e.g., DFN-CERT, CIAC),
and still others that have very restricted constituencies (e.g.,
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 15 April 97
commercial response teams, corporate response teams). Regardless
of the type of response team, the constituency supported by it
must be knowledgeable about the team's policies and procedures.
Therefore, it is mandatory that response teams publish such
information to their constituency.
As a
A SIRT provides a service to a this clearly defined constituency,
it should communicate all necessary information about its
policies and services in a form suitable form. to the needs of its
constituency. It is important to understand that not all policies
and procedures must need be publicly available. For example, it is not
necessary to understand the internal operation of a team in order to
interact with it, as when reporting an incident or receiving guidance
on how to analyze or secure one's systems.
In the past, some teams supplied a kind of Operational Framework,
others provided a Frequently Asked Questions list (FAQ), while still
others wrote papers for distribution at user conferences or sent
newsletters.
Another efficient way to communicate the relevant information to all
concerned, not only constituents but also other teams or organizations,
would be for
We recommend that each SIRT to publish its guidelines and procedures on
its own information server. server (e.g. a World Wide Web server). This
would allow constituents to easily access
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remains of how a constituent or
will can find "his" or "her" team. People team; people
within the constituency have to discover that there is a SIRT "at
their disposal."
It is foreseen that completed SIRT templates will soon become
searchable by modern search
engines. This engines, which will aid in distributing
information about the existence of SIRTs and basic information
required to approach them.
It would be very useful to have a central repository containing all
the completed SIRT templates. No such repository presently exists. This exists at the time
of writing, though this might change in the future.
Regardless of the source from which the information is retrieved,
the user of the template must check its authenticity. It is highly
recommended that such vital documents be protected by digital
signatures. These will allow the user can to verify that the template
was indeed published by the SIRT and that it has not been modified
thereafter. tampered
with. This document assumes the reader has familiarity is familiar with the proper
use of digital signatures to determine whether a document is
authentic.
2.2 Relationships between different SIRTs
In some cases a SIRT may be able to operate effectively on its own
and in close cooperation with its constituency. But with todays today's
international networks it is much more likely that most of the
incidents handled by a SIRT will involve parties external to its
constituency. Therefore the team will need to interact with other
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SIRTs and sites outside their its constituency.
The constituent community should be clear about understand the nature and extent of
this collaboration, as very sensitive information about individual
constituents may be disclosed in the process.
Such
Inter-SIRT interactions could include asking other teams for advice,
disseminating knowledge of problems problems, and working cooperatively to
resolve a security incident effecting affecting one or more of the SIRTs'
constituencies.
In establishing relationships to support such interactions, SIRTs will
need to
must decide what kinds of agreements can exist between them so as to
share yet safeguard information, whether this relationship can be
disclosed, and if so to whom.
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Note that there is a difference between a peering agreement, where
the SIRTs involved agree to work together and share information, and
simple co-operation, where a SIRT (or any other organization) simply
contacts another SIRT and asks for help or advice.
Although the establishing establishment of such relationships is very important
and
affect affects the ability of a SIRT to support its constituency, it is
up to the teams involved to decide about the details. It is beyond
the scope of this document to make recommendations for this process. But
However, the same set of information used to set expectations for a
user community regarding sharing of information will help other
parties to understand the objectives and services of a specific
SIRT, supporting a first contact.
2.3 Establishing Secure Communications
Once one party has decided to share information with another party,
or two parties have agreed to share information or work together - as
required for the coordination of Security Incident Response security incident response - all
parties involved need secure communications channels. ("Secure" hereby
relates (In this
context, "secure" refers to the protected transmission of information
shared between different parties parties, and not to the appropriate use of
the information by the parties.)
The goals of secure communication are:
- Confidentiality:
Can somebody else access the content of the communication?
- Integrity:
Can somebody else manipulate the content of the communication?
- Authenticity:
Am I communicating with the "right" person?
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It is very easy to send forged e-mail, and not hard to establish a
(false) identity by telephone. Cryptographic techniques, for
example Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) or Privacy Enhanced Mail (PEM)
can provide effective ways of securing e-mail. With the correct
equipment it is also possible to secure telephone communication.
But before using such mechanisms, both parties need the "right"
infrastructure, which is to say preparation in advance. The
most important preparation is ensuring the authenticity of the
cryptographic keys used in secure communication:
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- Public keys (for techniques like PGP and PEM):
Because they are accessible through the internet, they Internet, public keys must
be authenticated before usage. use. While PGP relies on a "Web of Trust" -
(where users sign the keys of other users - users), PEM relies on a
hierarchy - (where certification authorities sign the keys of users. users).
- Secret keys (for techniques like DES and PGP/conventional
encryption): Because they these must be known to both sender and
receiver,
they secret keys must be exchanged before the communication
via a secure channel.
Communication is critical for to all aspects of incident response. A
team can best support the use of the above-mentioned techniques by
gathering all relevant information, in a consistent way. Specific
requirements
(like (such as calling a specific number for checking to check the
authenticity of keys) should be explained right away. clear from the start. SIRT templates
provide a standardized vehicle for delivering this information.
It is beyond the scope of this document to address all the technical
and administrative problems of secure communications. The point is
that response teams must support and use a method to secure the
communications between themselves and their constituents (or other
response teams). Whatever the mechanism is, the level of protection
it provides must be acceptable to the constituent community.
3 Information, Policies and Procedures
In chapter 2, 2 it was mentioned that the policies and procedures of a
response team need to be published to their constituent community.
In this chapter we will list all the types of information that the
community needs to receive from its response team. How this
information is communicated to a community will differ from team to
team, as will the specific information content. The intent here is
to clearly describe the various kinds of information that a
constituent community expects from its response team.
To make it easier to understand all the issues and topics relevant to the
interaction of constituents with "their" SIRT, we suggest that a SIRT
publish all information, policies policies, and procedures addressing their its
constituency as a document, following the template given in Appendix
D. The template structure arranges items, making it easy to supply
specific information, was done
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specific information; in Appendix E. E we provide an example of a
filled-out template for the fictitious XYZ University. While
no recommendations are made as to what a SIRT should adopt for their its
policy or procedures, different possibilities are outlined to give
some examples. The most important thing is that a SIRT has have a policy
and that
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97 that those who interact with the SIRT can be able to obtain and
understand it.
As always, not every aspect for every environment and/or team can
be covered. This outline should be seen as a suggestion. Each team
should feel free to include whatever they think is necessary for
supporting their to
support its constituency.
3.1 Contact Information
Full details of how to contact the SIRT should be listed here, although
this might be very different for different teams. Some might choose to
restrict the availability of names of all team members. No further
clarification is given when the meaning of the item can be assumed.
- Name of the SIRT
- Mailing Address
- Time zone This is useful for coordinating
incidents which cross time zones.
- Telephone number
- Facsimile number
- Other telecommunication Some teams might provide secure
voice communication (e.g. STU III).
- Electronic mail address
- Public keys and encryption The use of specific techniques
depends on the ability of the
communication partners to have
access to programs, keys and so on.
Relevant information should be
outlined so users can determine
if and how they can make use of
secure communication while
interacting with Obtaining the SIRT.
- Team members
- Other information The operating hours and holiday
schedule should be provided here.
Is there a 24 hour hotline? Is
there any specific customer contact
info? (See also section 3.4.5).
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3.2 Document Updates
Details of a SIRT change with time, so the completed template must
indicate when it was last changed. Additionally, information should
be provided to learn about concerning how to find out about future updates. Without
this, it is inevitable that misunderstandings and misconceptions will
arise over time; an outdated document will can do more harm than good.
- Date of last update This should be sufficient to allow
anyone interested to evaluate the
currency of the template.
- Distribution list Mailing lists are a convenient
mechanism to distribute up-to-date
information to a large number of
users. A team can decide to use its
own or an already existing list to
notify users whenever the document
changes. The list might normally
cover the constituency and any other
groups the SIRT has frequent
interactions with.
Digital signatures should be used
for update messages sent by a SIRT.
- Location of the document The location where a current version
of the document should be is accessible
through a team's online information
services. Constituents can then
easily learn more about the team and
check for recent updates.
This online version should also be
accompanied by a digital signature,
3.3 Charter
Every SIRT must have a charter which specifies what it is to do, and
the authority under which it will do it. The charter should include
at least the following statements:
- Mission statement
- Constituency
- Sponsor / affiliation
- Authority signature.
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3.3.1 Mission Statement
The mission statement should focus on the team's core activities,
already stated in the definition
3.2 Contact Information
Full details of a SIRT. In order how to contact the SIRT should be considered
a Security Incident Response Team, listed here,
although this might be very different for different teams; for
example, some might choose not to publicize the names of their team must support
members. No further clarification is given when the reporting
of incidents and support its constituency by dealing with incidents.
The goals and purposes meaning of a team are especially important, and require
clear, unambiguous definitions.
3.3.2 Constituency
A SIRT's constituency the
item can be determined in many ways. For example it
could be a company's employees or its paid subscribers, or it could be
defined in terms assumed.
- Name of a technological focus, such as the users of a
particular operating system. SIRT
- Mailing Address
- Time zone This is useful for coordinating
incidents which cross time zones.
- Telephone number
- Facsimile number
- Other telecommunication Some teams might provide secure
voice communication (e.g. STU III).
- Electronic mail address
- Public keys and encryption The definition use of constituency should create a perimeter around the
group to whom specific techniques
depends on the team will provide service. The policy section ability of the document (see below)
communication partners to have
access to programs, keys and so on.
Relevant information should explain how requests from outside the
perimeter will be handled.
If a SIRT decide, not
given to disclosure their constituency, enable users to determine
if and how they should
explain can make use of
encrypted communication while
interacting with the reasoning behind this decision. For example for-fee
SIRTs will not list their clients but declare that they provide
a service to a large group of customers that are kept confidential
because of the clients' contract.
Constituencies might overlap, as when an ISP provides a SIRT, but
delivers services to customer sites which also have SIRTs. The
Authority section of the document (see below) should make such
relationships clear.
3.3.3 Sponsoring Organization / Affiliation SIRT.
- Team members
- Operating Hours The sponsoring organization, which authorizes the actions of the SIRT, operating hours and holiday
schedule should be given next. Knowing this will help the users to understand
the background and setup of the SIRT. It is vital provided here.
Is there a 24 hour hotline?
- Additional Contact Info Is there any specific customer
contact info?
More detailed contact information can be provided. This might
include different contacts for
building up trust between a constituent and different services, or might be a SIRT.
list of online information services. If specific procedures for
access to some services exist (for example addresses for mailing
list requests), these should be explained here.
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3.3.4 Authority
Based on the relationship between team and constituency this section
will be very different from one team to another. While an
organizational
3.3 Charter
Every SIRT will be given its authority by the management, must have a community SIRT will be supported charter which specifies what it is to do, and chosen by
the community,
usually in a advisory role.
SIRTs may not have authority to intervene in the operation of all the
systems within their perimeter. They under which it will do it. The charter should identify the scope of
their control as distinct from include
at least the perimeter of their constituency; if
other SIRTs operate hierarchically within their perimeter, these following items:
- Mission statement
- Constituency
- Sponsorship / affiliation
- Authority
3.3.1 Mission Statement
The mission statement should
be identified and addressed here.
A disclosure focus on the team's core activities,
already stated in the definition of a team's authority may expose it SIRT. In order to claims of
liability. Every be
considered a Security Incident Response Team, the team should seek legal advice on these matters.
(See section 3.7 for more on liability.)
3.4 Policies
3.4.1 Types must support
the reporting of Incidents incidents and Level of Support support its constituency by dealing
with incidents.
The types goals and purposes of incident which the a team is able to address are especially important, and
require clear, unambiguous definition.
3.3.2 Constituency
A SIRT's constituency can be determined in any of several ways. For
example it could be a company's employees or its paid subscribers,
or it could be defined in terms of a technological focus, such as
the
level users of support which a particular operating system.
The definition of the constituency should create a perimeter around
the group to whom the team will offer when responding to each
type of incident should be summarized here in list form. provide service. The Services policy section
of the document (see below) provides opportunity for more detailed definition
and to address non-incident related topics.
The level of support might change, depending on factors like workload
or completeness of information available. Such factors should be
outlined and their impact should be explained. As a list of known
types of incidents explain how requests from outside
this perimeter will be incomplete with regard to possible or future
incidents, handled.
If a SIRT decides not to disclose its constituency, it should also give some background on
explain the "default"
support for each reported incident.
The team should state whether it reasoning behind this decision. For example, for-fee
SIRTs will act on information it receives
about vulnerabilities which create opportunities for future incidents.
A commitment not list their clients but will declare that they provide
a service to act on such information on behalf a large group of its constituency is
regarded customers that are kept confidential
because of the clients' contracts.
Constituencies might overlap, as when an optional pro-active service policy rather than a core
service requirement for ISP provides a SIRT. SIRT which
delivers services to customer sites that also have SIRTs. The
Authority section of the SIRT's description (see below) should
make such relationships clear.
3.3.3 Sponsoring Organization / Affiliation
The sponsoring organization, which authorizes the actions of the
SIRT, should be given next. Knowing this will help the users to
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3.4.2 Co-operation
understand the background and Interaction with other Organizations set-up of the SIRT, and it is vital
information for building trust between a constituent and a SIRT.
3.3.4 Authority
This section should make explicit which related groups with which the will vary greatly from one SIRT routinely interacts with. Such interactions are not related to
the Security Incident Response provided, but are used to facilitate
better cooperation another, based on technical topics or services. By no means should
details about cooperation agreements
the relationship between the team and its constituency. While an
organizational SIRT will be given out, its authority by the main objective management
of this section is to give the constituency organization, a basic understanding
what kind of interactions are established and what their purpose is.
Examples of these are listed below.
Incident Response Teams:
A community SIRT will often need to interact with other SIRTs. For example
a SIRT within a large company may need to report incidents to a
national SIRT, be supported and chosen
by the community, usually in a national advisory role.
A SIRT may need to report incidents or may not have the authority to national SIRTs intervene in other countries to deal with the
operation of all sites
involved in a large-scale attack.
Vendors:
Larger vendors have their own SIRTs, but smaller vendors may not.
In such cases a SIRT will need to work directly with a vendor to
suggest improvements or modifications, to analyse of the technical
problem or to test provided solutions.
Law-enforcement agencies:
These include systems within its perimeter. It should
identify the police and other investigative agencies. SIRTs
and users scope of its control as distinct from the template perimeter of
its constituency. If other SIRTs operate hierarchically within its
perimeter, this should be sensitive to local laws mentioned here, and
regulations, which the related SIRTs
identified.
Disclosure of a team's authority may vary considerably in different countries.
A SIRT might advise on technical details expose it to claims of attacks or
liability. Every team should seek legal advice on these matters.
(See section 3.7 for more on liability.)
3.4 Policies
It is critical that Incident Response Teams define their policies.
The following sections discuss communication of these policies to
the legal implications constituent community.
3.4.1 Types of an incident. Local laws and
regulations may include specific reporting Incidents and confidentiality
requirements.
Press:
A SIRT may be approached by Level of Support
The types of incident which the Press for information team is able to address, and comment
from time the
level of support which the team will offer when responding to time. This is discussed each
type of incident, should be summarized here in list form. The
Services section (see below) provides the opportunity to give more detail immediately
below.
Other:
This might include research activities or
detailed descriptions, and to address non-incident-related topics.
The level of support may change depending on factors such as the relation
team's workload and the completeness of the information available.
Such factors should be outlined and their impact should be
explained. As a list of known types of incidents will be incomplete
with regard to possible or future incidents, a SIRT should also give
some background on the
sponsoring organization. "default" support for incident types not
otherwise mentioned.
The team should state whether it will act on information it receives
about vulnerabilities which create opportunities for future
incidents. A commitment to act on such information on behalf of its
constituency is regarded as an optional proactive service policy
rather than a core service requirement for a SIRT.
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3.4.3 Reporting
3.4.2 Co-operation, Interaction and Disclosure
The default status of any and all security-related information Information
This section should make explicit which a
team receives will usually be 'confidential,' but rigid adherence related groups the SIRT
routinely interacts with. Such interactions are not necessarily
related to
this makes the team security incident response provided, but are used to appear as a 'black hole.' Its template should
define what information it will report
facilitate better cooperation on technical topics or disclose, to whom, and when.
Different teams are likely services. By
no means need details about cooperation agreements be given out; the
main objective of this section is to give the constituency a basic
understanding of what kind of interactions are established and what
their purpose is.
The reporting and disclosure policy should make clear who will be subject
the recipients of a SIRT's report in each circumstance. It should
also note whether the team will expect to different legal restraints
requiring operate through another
SIRT or limiting disclosure, especially if they work in different
jurisdictions. In addition, they directly with a member of another constituency over matters
specifically concerning that member.
Important examples of related groups a SIRT will interact with are
listed below.
Incident Response Teams:
A SIRT will often need to interact with other SIRTs. For example
a SIRT within a large company may have reporting requirements
imposed by their sponsoring organization. Each team's template should
specify any such restraints, both need to clarify users' expectations report incidents to a
national SIRT, and a national SIRT may need to
inform report incidents
to national SIRTs in other teams.
Conflicts of interest, particularly countries to deal with all sites
involved in commercial matters, a large-scale attack.
Collaboration between SIRTs may also
restrain lead to disclosure by a team; this document does not recommend on
how of
information. The following are examples of such conflicts should be addressed.
'Disclosure' includes (but is maybe disclosure,
but are not limited to): intended to be an exhaustive list:
- Reporting incidents within the constituency to other teams. By
this, site related
If this is done, site-related information might may become public
knowledge, accessible for everybody, especially to everyone, in particular the press.
- Handling incidents occurring within the constituency, but
reported from outside it. it (which implies that some information
has already been disclosed off-site).
- Reporting observations from within the constituency indicating
suspected or confirmed incidents outside it.
- Acting on reports of incidents occurring outside the
constituency.
- Passing information about vulnerabilities to vendors, to Partner
partner SIRTs or directly to affected sites lying within or
outside the constituency.
- Feed-back Feedback to parties reporting incidents or vulnerabilities.
- The provision of contact information relating to members of the
constituency, members of other
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 15 April 97
the constituency, members of other constituencies, other SIRTs
SIRTs, or law-enforcement agencies.
Vendors:
Larger vendors have their own SIRTs, but smaller vendors may not.
In such cases a SIRT will need to work directly with a vendor to
suggest improvements or modifications, to analyse the technical
problem or to test provided solutions.
Law-enforcement agencies:
These include the police and other investigative agencies. SIRTs
and users of the template should be sensitive to local laws and
regulations, which may vary considerably in different countries.
A SIRT might advise on technical details of attacks or seek
advice on the legal implications of an incident. Local laws and
regulations may include specific reporting and confidentiality
requirements.
Press:
A SIRT may be approached by the press for information and comment
from time to time.
An explicit policy concerning disclosure to the Press press can be
helpful, particularly in clarifying the expectations of a SIRT's
constituency. The press policy will have to clarify the same
topics as above more specifically, as the constituency will
usually be very sensitive
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
towards to press contacts.
Other:
This might include research activities or the relation to the
sponsoring organization.
The reporting default status of any and disclosure policy should make clear who all security-related information which
a team receives will usually be 'confidential,' but rigid adherence
to this makes the team to appear to be an informational 'black
hole,' which may reduce the
recipients likelihood of a the team's obtaining
cooperation from clients and from other organizations. The SIRT's report in each circumstance. It
template should also
note whether the team define what information it will expect report or disclose,
to deal through another SIRT whom, and when.
Different teams are likely to be subject to different legal
restraints requiring or directly with a member limiting disclosure, especially if they work
in different jurisdictions. In addition, they may have reporting
requirements imposed by their sponsoring organization. Each team's
template should specify any such constraints, both to clarify users'
expectations and to inform other teams.
Conflicts of another constituency over matters directly
involving that member. interest, particularly in commercial matters, may also
restrain disclosure by a team; this document does not recommend on
how such conflicts should be addressed.
A team will normally collect statistics. If such statistical information are
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
is distributed, the template's reporting and disclosure policy
should say so, and should list methods describe how to obtain such statistics.
3.4.4
3.4.3 Communication and Authentication
Methods of secure and verifiable communication should be established.
This is necessary for communication between SIRTs and between a SIRT
and its constituents. The template should include public keys or
pointers to them, including key fingerprints, together with
guidelines on how to use this information to check authenticity and
how to deal with corrupted information (for example where to report
this fact to). fact).
At the moment it is recommended that every SIRT has - if possible - as a minimum, minimum every SIRT have
(if possible), a PGP key available. Teams A team may also
make other mechanisms available (for example PEM, MOSS, S/MIME),
according to its needs and the needs of its constituents. Note
however, that SIRTs and users should be sensitive to local laws and
regulations. Some countries do not allow strong encryption encryption, or
enforce specific policies on the use of encryption technology. In
addition to encrypting sensitive information whenever possible,
correspondence should include digitally digital signatures. (Please note, note that
in most countries, the protection of authenticity by using digital
signatures is not affected by existing encryption regulations.)
For communication via telephone or facsimile a SIRT may keep secret
authentication data for parties with whom they may deal, such as an
agreed password or phrase.
3.4.5 Point of Customer Contacts
More detailed contact information might be provided. This might
include different contacts for different services or might be a list
of online information services. If specific procedures for access to
some services exist (like addresses for mailing list requests) these
should Obviously, such secret keys must not be explained here.
published, though their existence may be.
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3.5 Services
Services provided by each a SIRT can be differentiated by according to
whether they relate to the main task, which is incident response, or
are provided in addition (optional to it, i.e. are optional in regard to the
definition of a SIRT). SIRT.
Incident response, which response usually includes:
- Verification Help with the verification of
incidents, as well as their in determining whether an
incident has really occurred, and
its scope.
- Technical Assistance This may include analysis of
compromised systems.
- Eradication Elimination of the effects cause of a
security incident. incident (the vulnerability
exploited), and its effects (for
example, continuing access to the
system by an intruder).
- Recovery Aid in restoring affected systems
and services to their status before
the security incident.
- Coordination Notification of other involved parties
parties.
Additional or optional services, which services might include:
- Information provision This might include an archive of
known vulnerabilities, patches or
resolutions of past problems. problems, or
advisory mailing lists.
- Security Tools This may include tools for auditing
a Site's security.
- Education and training
- Product evaluation
- Site security auditing and consulting
3.6 Incident Reporting Forms
The use of reporting forms makes it simplier simpler for both sides, users and
teams,
teams to deal with incidents. The constituent may can prepare answers to
various important questions before he or she actually contacts the team
team, and can therefore come well prepared. The team gets all the necessary
information at once with the first report and can proceed efficiently.
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 15 April 97
Depending on
necessary information at once with the objectives first report and can proceed
efficiently.
Depending on the objectives and services of a single particular SIRT,
multiple forms may be used, for example a reporting form for a new
vulnerability
will may be very different for from the form used for reporting
incidents.
It is most efficient to provide forms through the online information
services of the team. The exact pointers to them should be given in
the SIRT description document, together with statements about
appropriate use use, and
guidelines, guidelines for when and how to use the forms.
If separate e-mail addresses are supported for form based form-based reporting,
they should be listed here again.
One example for of such a form is the Incident Reporting Form provided by
the CERT Coordination Center:
- ftp://info.cert.org/incident_reporting_form
3.7 Disclaimers
Although the SIRT description document does not constitute a
contract, liability might may conceivably result from its descriptions of
services and purposes. The inclusion of a disclaimer at the end of
the template is therefore recommended and should warn the user about
possible limitations.
It should be noted that some forms of reporting or disclosure relating
to specific incidents or vulnerabilities can also imply liability, and
SIRTs should consider the inclusion of disclaimers in such material.
In situations where the original version of a document must be
translated into another language, the translation should carry a
disclaimer and a pointer to the original. For example:
Although we tried to carefully translate the original
document from German into English, we can not be certain
that both documents express the same thoughts in the same
level of detail and correctness. In all cases, where there
is a difference between both versions, the German version
is the binding version.
will prevail.
The use of and protection by disclaimers is effected affected by local laws
and
regulations. Therefore regulations, of which each SIRT should be sensitive and if aware. If in doubt
the SIRT should check the disclaimer with a lawyer.
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
4
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms
This glossary defines terms used in describing security incidents and
Security Incident Response Teams. Only a limited list is included.
For more definitions please refer to other sources, for example to
the Internet User's Glossary [RFC 1983].
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Constituency:
Implicit in the purpose of a Security Incident Response Team is
the existence of a constituency. This is the group of users,
sites, networks or organizations served by the team. The team
must be recognized by its constituency in order to be effective.
Security Incident:
For the purpose of this document document, this term is a synonym to of
Computer Security Incident: Any any adverse event which compromises
some aspect of computer or network security.
The definition of an incident may vary between organizations, but
at least the following categories are generally applicable:
- Loss of confidentiality of information.
- Compromise of integrity of information.
- Denial of service.
- Misuse of service, systems or information.
- Damage of to systems.
These are very general categories. For instance the replacement
of a system utility program by a Trojan Horse is an example of
'compromise of integrity,' and a successful password attack is an
example of 'loss of confidentiality.' Attacks, even if they
failed because of proper protection, might can be regarded as an
Incident.
Incidents.
Within the definition of an incident the word 'compromised' is
used. Sometimes an administrator may only 'suspect' an incident.
During the response it must be established whether or not an
incident has really occurred.
Security Incident Response Team:
Based on two of the definitions given above, a SIRT is a team
that coordinates and supports the response to security incidents
that involve sites within a defined constituency.
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
In order to be considered a SIRT, a team must:
- Provide a (secure) channel for receiving reports about
suspected incidents.
- Provide assistance to members of its constituency in
handling these incidents.
- Disseminate incident-related information to its
constituency and to other involved parties.
Note that we are not referring here to police or other law
enforcement bodies which may investigate computer-related crime.
SIRT members, indeed, should not need to not have any powers beyond
those of ordinary citizens.
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Vendor:
A 'vendor' is any entity that produces networking or computing
technology, and is responsible for the technical content of that
technology. Examples of 'technology' include hardware (desktop
computers, routers, switches, etc.), and software (operating
systems, mail forwarding systems, etc.).
Note that the supplier of a technology is not necessarily the
'vendor' of that technology. As an example, an Internet Services Service
Provider (ISP) might supply routers to each of its customers, but
the 'vendor' is the manufacturer, being since the manufacturer, rather
than the ISP, is the entity responsible for the technical content
of the router, rather than the ISP. router.
Vulnerability:
A 'vulnerability' is a characteristic of a piece of technology
which can be exploited to perpetrate a security incident. For
example, if a program unintentionally allowed ordinary users to
execute arbitrary operating system commands in privileged mode,
this "feature" would be a vulnerability.
5
Appendix B: Related Material
Important issues in responding to security incidents on a site level
are contained in [RFC 1244], the Site Security Handbook, produced by
the Site Security Handbook Working Group (SSH). This document will
be updated by the SSH working group and will give recommendations
for local policies and procedures, mainly related to the avoidance
of security incidents.
Other documents of interest for the discussion of SIRTs and their
tasks are available by anonymous FTP. A collection can be found on:
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
- ftp://ftp.cert.dfn.de/pub/docs/csir/
Please refer to file 01-README for further information about
the content of this directory.
Some especially interesting documents in relation to this document
are as follows:
- ftp://ftp.nic.surfnet.nl/surfnet/net-security/cert-nl/docs/
reports/R-92-01
This report contains the Operational Framework of CERT-NL, the
SIRT of SURFnet (network provider in the Netherlands).
- For readers interested in the operation of FIRST (Forum of
Incident Response and Security Teams) more information is
collected in Appendix C.
- http://hightop.nrl.navy.mil/news/incident.html
This document leads to the NRL Incident Response Manual.
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- http://www.cert.dfn.de/eng/team/kpk/certbib.html
This document contains an annotated bibliography of available
material, documents and files about the operation of SIRTs
with links to many of the referenced. referenced items.
- ftp://info.cert.org/incident_reporting_form
This Incident Reporting Form is provided by the CERT
Coordination Center to gather incident information and to avoid
additional delays caused by requesting the sites for need to request more detailed
information.
information from the reporting site.
- http://www.cert.org/cert.faqintro.html
A collection of frequently asked questions from the CERT
Coordination Center.
6
Appendix C: Known Security Incident Response Teams
Today, there are many different SIRTs but no single source list lists
every team. Most of the major and long established teams (the first
SIRT was founded in 1988) are nowadays member members of FIRST, the
worldwide Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams. Actually At the
time of writing, more than 55 teams are members (1 in Australia, 13
in Europe, all others from in North America). Information about FIRST
can be found:
- http://www.first.org/
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
The actual list of members is available also, with the relevant
contact information and some additional information provided by the single
particular teams:
- http://www.first.org/team-info/
For SIRTs which want to become members of this forum (please note, note
that a team needs a sponsor - a team which is already a full member
of FIRST - to be introduced), the following files contain more
information:
- http://www.first.org/about/op_frame.html
The Operational Framework of FIRST.
- http://www.first.org/docs/newmem.html
Guidelines for teams which want to become member members of FIRST.
Many of the European teams, regardless if of whether they are members
of FIRST or not, are listed by countries on a page maintained by
the German SIRT:
- http://www.cert.dfn.de/eng/csir/europe/certs.html
To learn about existing teams and maybe more suitable teams for to one's
need needs it is always a good approach,
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
often helpful to ask either existing known teams or an Internet Service
Provider for the "right" contact.
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7
Appendix D: Outline for SIRT Template
This outline summarizes in point form the issues addressed in this document in
document, and is the recommended template for a logical SIRT description
document. Its structure suitable is designed to communicate facilitate the policies communication
of a SIRT's policies, procedures, and procedures for the
interaction with SIRTs easily other relevant information to the team's constituency.
its constituency and to outside organizations such as other SIRTs.
A 'filled-in' example of this template is given as Appendix E.
1. Contact Document Information
1.1 Date of Last Update
1.2 Distribution List for Notifications
1.3 Locations where this Document May Be Found
2. Contact Information
2.1 Name of the Team
1.2
2.2 Address
1.3
2.3 Time Zone
1.4
2.4 Telephone Number
1.5
2.5 Facsimile Number
1.6
2.6 Other Telecommunication
1.7
2.7 Electronic Mail Address
1.8
2.8 Public Keys and Encryption Information
1.9
2.9 Team Members
1.10
2.10 Other Information
2. Document Updates
2.1 Date
2.11 Points of Last Update
2.2 Distribution List for Notifications
2.3 Locations where this Document May Be Found Customer Contact
3. Charter
3.1 Mission Statement
3.2 Constituency
3.3 Sponsors Sponsorship and/or Affiliation
3.4 Authority
4. Policies
4.1 Types of Incidents and Level of Support
4.2 Cooperation and Co-operation, Interaction with Other Entities
4.3 and Disclosure of Information
4.4
4.3 Communication and Authentication
4.5 Points of Customer Contacts
5. Services
5.1 Incident Response
5.2 Proactive Activities
6. Incident Reporting Forms
7. Disclaimers
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8
Appendix E: Example - 'filled-in' Template for a SIRT
Below is an example, example of a filled-in template for a fictitious SIRT
called XYZ
to avoid any confusion with existing teams. By no means does this
example imply, that a new founded SIRT should reuse this text.
It XYZ-SIRT. This text is for example purposes only. only, and does
not constitute endorsement by the working group or the IETF of any
particular set of procedures or policies. While SIRTs are welcome
to use any or all of this text if they wish, such use is of course
not mandatory, or even appropriate in most cases.
SIRT Template Description for XYZ-SIRT
--------------------------
Note: no digital signature XYZ-CERT
-----------------------------
1. About this document
1.1 Date of Last Update
This is currently available version 1.01, published 1997/03/31.
1.2 Distribution List for Notifications
Notifications of updates are submitted to our mailing list
<xyz-cert-info@xyz-univ.ca>. Subscription requests for this SIRT
Template. We'll put one up as soon as
list should be sent to the technology is adopted
by XYZ Enterprises.
1. Contact Information
1.1 Name Majordomo at
<xyz-cert-info-request@xyz-univ.ca>; the body of the Team
"XYZ-SIRT": message
should consist of the XYZ Computer Emergency Response Team.
1.2 Address
XYZ SIRT
XYZ Enterprises
Private Bag 12-345
MyTown
MyCountry
1.3 Time Zone
MyCountry/Eastern word "subscribe". Send the word "help"
instead if you don't know how to use a Majordomo list manager.
This mailing list is moderated.
1.3 Locations where this Document May Be Found
The current version of this SIRT description document is
available from the XYZ-CERT WWW site; its URL is
http://www.xyz-univ.ca/xyz-cert/english/sirt-descr.txt
Une version francaise de ce document est igalement disponible:
http://www.xyz-univ.ca/xyz-cert/francais/sirt-descr.txt
Please make sure you are using the latest version.
1.4 Authenticating this Document
Both the English and French versions of this document have
been signed with the XYZ-CERT's PGP key. The signatures are
also on our Web site, under:
http://www.xyz-univ.ca/xyz-cert/english/sirt-descr.asc
http://www.xyz-univ.ca/xyz-cert/francais/sirt-descr.asc
2. Contact Information
2.1 Name of the Team
"XYZ-CERT": the XYZ University Computer Emergency Response
Team.
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
2.2 Address
XYZ-CERT
XYZ University, Computing Services Department
12345 Rue Principale
UniversityTown, Quebec
Canada H0H 0H0
2.3 Time Zone
Canada/Eastern (GMT-0500, and GMT-0400 from April to October)
1.4
2.4 Telephone Number
+1 234 567 7890 (ask for the XYZ-SIRT)
1.5 XYZ-CERT)
2.5 Facsimile Number
+1 234 567 7654 7899 (this is *not* a secure fax)
1.6
2.6 Other Telecommunication
None available.
1.7
2.7 Electronic Mail Address
<xyz-sirt@sirt.xyz.org>
1.8
<xyz-cert@xyz-univ.ca> This is a mail alias that relays mail
to the human(s) on duty for the XYZ-CERT.
2.8 Public Keys and Other Encryption Information
Encryption
The XYZ-CERT has a PGP key, whose KeyID is not currently available, but we plan to install 12345678 and
whose fingerprint is
11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 88 77 66 55 44 33 22 11.
The key and its signatures can be found at the usual large
public keyservers.
Because PGP as soon as possible. Our is still a relatively new technology at XYZ
University, this key still has relatively few signatures;
efforts are underway to increase the number of links to this
key in the PGP public "web of trust". In the meantime, since most
fellow universities in Quebec have at least one staff member
who knows the XYZ-CERT coordinator Zoe Doe, Zoe Doe has
signed the XYZ-CERT key, and will be happy to confirm its
fingerprint and that of her own key to those people who know
her, by telephone or in person.
2.9 Team Members
Zoe Doe of Computing Services is the XYZ-CERT coordinator.
Backup coordinators and other team members, along with their
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
areas of expertise and contact information, are listed in the
XYZ-CERT web pages, at
http://www.xyz-univ.ca/xyz-cert/teamlist.html
Management, liaison and supervision are provided by Steve Tree,
Assistant Director (Technical Services), Computing Services.
2.10 Other Information
General information about the XYZ-CERT, as well as links to
various recommended security resources, can be found at
http://www.xyz-univ.ca/xyz-cert/index.html
2.11 Points of Customer Contact
The preferred method for contacting the XYZ-CERT is via
e-mail at <xyz-cert@xyz-univ.ca>; e-mail sent to this address
will "biff" the responsible human, or be automatically
forwarded to the appropriate backup person, immediately. If
you require urgent assistance, put "urgent" in your subject
line.
If it is not possible (or not advisable for security reasons)
to use e-mail, the XYZ-CERT can be reached by telephone during
regular office hours. Telephone messages are checked less
often than e-mail.
The XYZ-CERT's hours of operation are generally restricted to
regular business hours (09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday except
holidays).
If possible, when submitting your report, use the form
mentioned in section 6.
3. Charter
3.1 Mission Statement
The purpose of the XYZ-CERT is, first, to assist members of XYZ
University community in implementing proactive measures to
reduce the risks of computer security incidents, and second, to
assist XYZ community in responding to such incidents when they
occur.
3.2 Constituency
The XYZ-CERT's constituency is the XYZ University community,
as defined in the context of the "XYZ University Policy on
Computing Facilities". This policy is available at
http://www-compserv.xyz-univ.ca/policies/pcf.html
However, please note that, notwithtanding the above, XYZ-CERT
services will be provided for on-site systems only.
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3.3 Sponsorship and/or Affiliation
The XYZ-CERT is currently completing the application process
for membership in FIRST, the Forum of Incident Response and
Security Teams. More information about FIRST is available
from
http://www.first.org/
3.4 Authority
The XYZ-CERT operates under the auspices of, and with authority
delegated by, the Department of Computing Services of XYZ
University. For further information on the mandate and
authority of the Department of Computing Services, please
refer to the XYZ University "Policy on Computing Facilities",
available at
http://www-compserv.xyz-univ.ca/policies/pcf.html
The XYZ-CERT expects to work cooperatively with system
administrators and users at XYZ University, and, insofar as
possible, to avoid authoritarian relationships. However,
should circumstances warrant it, the XYZ-CERT will appeal to
Computing Services to exert its authority, direct or indirect,
as necessary. All members of the XYZ-CERT are members of the
CCSA (Committee of Computer Systems Administrators), and have
all of the powers and responsibilities assigned to Systems
Administrators by the Policy on Computing Facilities, or are
members of University management.
Members of the XYZ University community who wish to appeal the
actions of the XYZ-CERT should contact the Assistant Director
(Technical Services), Computing Services. If this recourse is
not satisfactory, the matter may be referred to the Director
of Computing Services (in the case of perceived
problems with existing policy), or to the the XYZ University
Office of Rights and Responsibilities (in the case of perceived
errors in the application of existing policy).
4. Policies
4.1 Types of Incidents and Level of Support
The XYZ-CERT is authorized to address all types of computer
security incidents which occur, or threaten to occur, at
XYZ University.
The level of support given by XYZ-CERT will vary depending on
the type and severity of the incident or issue, the type of
constituent, the size of the user community affected, and the
XYZ-CERT's resources at the time, though in all cases some
response will be made within one working day. Resources will appear here
as soon as it is available.
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1.9 Team Members
Jane Doe of Computing Services is the XYZ-SIRT
coordinator. Other team members will
be assigned according to the following priorities, listed here once
their participation is confirmed.
2. Document Updates
2.1 Date in
decreasing order:
- Threats to the physical safety of human beings.
- Root or system-level attacks on any Management Information
System, or any part of Last Update
Please see the bottom backbone network infrastructure.
- Root or system-level attacks on any large public service
machine, either multi-user or dedicated-purpose.
- Compromise of this Web page restricted confidential service accounts or
software installations, in particular those used for this information.
2.2 Distribution List MIS
applications containing confidential data, or those used
for Notifications
Notifications system administration.
- Denial of service attacks on any of the above three items.
- Any of updates are submitted to our mailing list
<xyz-sirt-info@sirt.xyz.org>. (Subscription request should
go to <xyz-sirt-info-request@sirt.xyz.org>.)
2.3 Locations where this Document May Be Found
This template is available from the above at other sites, originating from XYZ SIRT WWW
site; its URL is
http://www.sirt.xyz.org/op_frame.html
University.
- Large-scale attacks of any kind, e.g. sniffing attacks,
IRC "social engineering" attacks, password cracking
attacks.
- Threats, harrassment, and other criminal offenses
involving individual user accounts.
- Compromise of individual user accounts on multi-user
systems.
- Compromise of desktop systems.
- Forgery and misrepresentation, and other security-related
violations of local rules and regulations, e.g. netnews
and e-mail forgery, unauthorized use of IRC bots.
- Denial of service on individual user accounts, e.g.
mailbombing.
Types of incidents other than those mentioned above will be
prioritized according to their apparent severity and extent.
Note that no direct support will be given to end users; they
are expected to contact their system administrator, network
administrator, or department head for assistance. The template XYZ-CERT
will be signed with support the XYZ-SIRT's PGP
key.
3. Charter
3.1 Mission Statement
The purpose of latter people.
While the XYZ-SIRT is, first, to assist members of
XYZ community XYZ-CERT understands that there exists great
variation in implementing proactive measures to reduce the risks level of computer security incidents, system administrator expertise at XYZ
University, and second, while the XYZ-CERT will endeavor to
assist XYZ community in responding present
information and assistance at a level appropriate to such incidents when
they occur.
3.2 Constituency
The XYZ-SIRT's constituency is the XYZ SIRT community,
as defined in the context of each
person, the "XYZ Policy XYZ-CERT cannot train system administrators on Computing
Facilities".
3.3 Sponsors and/or Affiliation
None.
3.4 Authority
The XYZ-SIRT operates under the auspices of,
fly, and with
authority delegated by, it cannot perform system maintenance on their behalf.
In most cases, the Department of Computing Services
of XYZ Enterprises. XYZ-CERT will provide pointers to the
information needed to implement appropriate measures.
The Department in turn receives its
authority from XYZ-CERT is committed to keeping the formal ruling bodies XYZ University system
administration community informed of XYZ, as
set out in the "Policy on Computing Facilities". The XYZ-SIRT potential
vulnerabilities, and where possible, will inform this
community of such vulnerabilities before they are actively
exploited.
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 23] 24]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 28 April 97
has no direct authority over systems at XYZ Enterprises
at large. However, it benefits from the direct authority of
Computing Services with respect to systems managed by this
Department. Also, because Computing Services manages the
XYZ Enterprises Network, and is responsible for connectivity
to it, the Department has indirect authority over systems
in other departments, inasmuch as the Department can order
such systems to be disconnected from the network should
circumstances warrant it.
The XYZ-SIRT expects to work cooperatively with system
administrators
4.2 Co-operation, Interaction and users at XYZ, and, insofar as
possible, to avoid authoritarian relationships. However,
should circumstances warrant it, the XYZ-SIRT will appeal to
Computing Services to exert its authority, direct or indirect,
as necessary.
4. Policies
4.1 Types Disclosure of Incidents Information
While there are legal and Level ethical restrictions on the flow of Support
The XYZ-SIRT is authorized to address all types
information from XYZ-CERT, many of computer
security incidents which occur, or risk occurring, at are also outlined in
the XYZ Enterprises.
The level University Policy on Computing Facilities, and all of support given by XYZ-SIRT
which will vary depending on be respected, the type XYZ-CERT acknowledges its
indebtedness to, and severity declares its intention to contribute to,
the spirit of cooperation that created the incident or issue, Internet.
Therefore, while appropriate measures will be taken to protect
the type identity of
consituent, the size members of our constituency and members of
neighbouring sites where necessary, the user community affected, XYZ-CERT will otherwise
share information freely when this will assist others in
resolving or preventing security incidents.
In the paragraphs below, "affected parties" refers to the
legitimate owners, operators, and users of the
XYZ-SIRT's resources at relevant
computing facilities. It does not refer to unauthorized
users, including otherwise authorized users making
unauthorized use of a facility; such intruders may have no
expectation of confidentiality from the time.
No direct support XYZ-CERT. They may or
may not have legal rights to confidentiality; such rights will
of course be given to end users; respected where they are
expected to contact their system administrator, network
administrator, or department head exist.
Information being considered for assistance. The
XYZ-SIRT release will support the latter people.
While the XYZ-SIRT understands that there exists great
variation be classified as
follows:
- Private user information is information about particular
users, or in some cases, particular applications, which
must be considered confidential for legal, contractual,
and/or ethical reasons.
Private user information will be not be released in
identifiable form outside the level XYZ-CERT, except as provided
for below. If the identity of system administrator expertise at
XYZ, and while the XYZ-SIRT will endeavor user is disguised, then
the information can be released freely (for example to present show
a sample .cshrc file as modified by an intruder, or to
demonstrate a particular social engineering attack).
- Intruder information is similar to private user
information, but concerns intruders.
While intruder information, and assistance at a level appropriate in particular identifying
information, will not be released to
each person, the XYZ-SIRT cannot train system administrators,
and public (unless it cannot perform
becomes a matter of public record, for example because
criminal charges have been laid), it will be exchanged
freely with system maintenance on their behalf.
In most cases, the XYZ-SIRT administrators and SIRTs tracking an
incident.
- Private site information is technical information about
particular systems or sites.
It will provide pointers to not be released without the
information needed to implement appropriate measures. permission of the site
in question, except as provided for below.
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 28 April 97
4.2 Cooperation and Interaction with Other Entities
- Other sites:
The XYZ-SIRT will cooperate with other SIRTs (security
incident response teams) and with system administrators at
other sites, to the extent that their bona fide can be
verified. Should provincial Vulnerability information is technical information about
vulnerabilities or national SIRTs be
constituted, XYZ-SIRT attacks, including fixes and
workarounds.
Vulnerability information will explore the possibility of peer
relationships with them. The possibility of peer
relationships with close neighbors be released freely, though
every effort will also be explored;
unofficial cooperative climates already exist between XYZ
and several nearby universities and large corporations.
While there are no legal requirements made to inform the relevant vendor
before the general public is informed.
- Embarrassing information includes the statement that XYZ-SIRT provide
any an
incident has occurred, and information to any body outside XYZ (aside from
law enforcement agencies), XYZ-SIRT will provide such about its extent or
severity. Embarrassing information may concern a site or
a particular user or group of users.
Embarrassing information when will not be released without the good
permission of the community justifies it.
However, unless identifying site or users in question, except as
provided for below.
- Statistical information is needed embarrassing information with
the identifying information stripped off.
Statistical information will be released at the discretion
of the Computing Services Department.
- Contact information explains how to track
an incident in progress, such reach system
administrators and SIRTs.
Contact information will be stripped
from released freely, except where
the report (unless contact person or entity has requested that this not
be the affected department gives its
permission case, or where XYZ-CERT has reason to believe that
the real dissemination of this information would not be used).
- Vendors:
The XYZ-SIRT wishes to encourage vendors
appreciated.
Potential recipients of all kinds information from the XYZ-CERT will be
classified as follows:
- Because of
networking and computer equipment, software, and services
to improve the security nature of their products. In aid responsibilities and
consequent expectations of
this, a vulnerability discovered in such a product will be
reported to its vendor, along with all technical details
needed confidentiality, members of XYZ
University management are entitled to identify and fix the problem. Identifying
details will not be given receive whatever
information is necessary to facilitate the vendor without the
permission handling of the affected parties.
computer security incidents which occur in their
jurisdictions.
- Law enforcement:
XYZ has its own Security Department. ( I NEED TO LOOK UP
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPUTING SERVICES, XYZ
SECURITY, AND OUTSIDE POLICE FORCES. ) Informal working
relationships already exist between some system
administrators at XYZ and Members of the local police; interest Office of Rights and Responsibilities are
entitled to receive whatever information they request
concerning a computer security incident or related matter
which has been expressed by all parties in formalizing these
relationships. Any progress
made in that area will be reflected in this section.
In referred to them for resolution. The same is
true for the meantime, authorized and unauthorized users of XYZ Security Department, when its assistance in
an investigation has been enlisted, or when the investigation
has been instigated at its request.
- System administrators at XYZ Computing Facilities should be aware that the
XYZ-SIRT will cooperate fully with law enforcement
agencies in detecting, reporting, documenting, and
prosecuting violations University who are members of
the law; users concerned about
confidentiality CCSA are referred to the XYZ "Policy on
Computing Facilities". also, by virtue of their responsibilities,
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 25] 26]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 28 April 97
- The Press:
The XYZ-SIRT will not interact directly
trusted with the Press.
If necessary, information confidential information. However, unless such
people are also members of XYZ-CERT, they will be provided given only
that confidential information which they must have in order
to the assist with an investigation, or in order to secure their
own systems.
- Users at XYZ Public Relations Department, University are entitled to information which
pertains to the security of their own computer accounts,
even if this means revealing "intruder information", or
"embarrasssing information" about another user. For
example, if account aaaa is cracked and the intruder attacks
account bbbb, user bbbb is entitled to know that aaaa was
cracked, and how the attack on the bbbb account was
executed. User bbbb is also entitled, if she or he requests
it, to information about account aaaa which might enable
bbbb to investigate the
Customer Relations group attack. For example, if bbbb was
attacked by someone remotely connected to aaaa, bbbb should
be told the provenance of the Computing Services
Department. All queries will connections to aaaa, even
though this information would ordinarily be referred considered
private to these two
bodies.
- The aaaa. Users at XYZ SIRT community:
Details of incidents may University are entitled to be released
notified if their account is believed to Computing Services
management, have been
compromised.
- The XYZ management, or the Computer
Resources Committee; these bodies University community will be charged with
maintaining receive no restricted
information, except where the confidentiality of affected parties have given
permission for the information. General
report of incidents, summaries of multiple incidents, and
statistics information to be disseminated.
Statistical information may be made available to the general
XYZ
community, with identifying information stripped (except
where permission has been obtained from the affected
parties). community. There is no obligation on the part of the
XYZ-SIRT
XYZ-CERT to report incidents to the community, though it may
choose to do so; in particular, it is likely that the
XYZ-SIRT
XYZ-CERT will inform all affected parties of the ways in
which they were affected. affected, or will encourage the affected site
to do so.
- The public at large: large will receive no restricted information.
In general, fact, no particular efforts effort will be made to communicate
with the public at large, though the XYZ-SIRT XYZ-CERT recognizes
that, for all intents and purposes, information made
available to the XYZ University community is in effect made
available to the community at large, and will tailor the
information in consequence.
- The computer security community: community will be treated the same way
the general public is treated. While members of XYZ-SIRT XYZ-CERT may
participate in discussions within the computer security
community, such as newsgroups, mailing lists (including the
full-disclosure list "bugtraq"), and conferences, they will
treat such forums as though they were the public at large.
While technical issues (including vulnerabilities) may be
discussed to any level of detail, any examples taken from XYZ-SIRT
XYZ-CERT experience will be disguised to avoid identifying
the affected parties.
In
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Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
- The press will also be considered as part of the paragraphs above, general
public. The XYZ-CERT will not interact directly with the "affected parties" refers
Press concerning computer security incidents, except to point
them toward information already released to the
legitimate owners, operators, general
public. If necessary, information will be provided to the
XYZ University Public Relations Department, and users to the
Customer Relations group of the relevant
computing facilities. It Computing Services
Department. All incident-related queries will be referred to
these two bodies. The above does not refer to unauthorized
users, including otherwise authorized users making
unauthorized usage affect the ability of
members of XYZ-CERT to grant interviews on general computer
security topics; in fact, they are encouraged to do to, as a facility; such intruders may have no
expectation
public service to the community.
- Other sites and SIRTs, when they are partners in the
investigation of confidentiality from a computer security incident, will in some
cases be trusted with confidential information. This will
happen only if the XYZ-SIRT. They may or
may not have legal rights to confidentiality; such rights foreign site's bona fide can be verified,
and the information transmitted will
of course be respected where they exist.
4.3 Disclosure limited to that which
is likely to be helpful in resolving the incident. Such
information sharing is most likely to happen in the case of Information
The following types
sites well known to XYZ-CERT (for example, several other
Quebec universities have informal but well-established
working relationships with XYZ University in such mattters).
For the purposes of resolving a security incident, otherwise
semi-private but relatively harmless user information such as
the provenance of connections to user accounts will not be stored
considered highly sensitive, and handled
by XYZ-SIRT:
- Contact info for constituents.
- Technical info about can be transmitted to a vulnerability.
- Technical info about XYZ facilities.
- Information about incidents:
- Statistical summaries
- Admission of incident of certain type
- Admission of root compromise
- Admission of packet sniffing attack
- Admission
foreign site without excessive precautions. "Intruder
information" will be transmitted freely to other system
administrators and SIRTs. "Embarrassing information" can be
transmitted when there is reasonable assurance that user accounts were compromised it will
remain confidential, and when it is necessary to resolve an
incident.
- Description Vendors will be considered as foreign SIRTs for most intents
and purposes. The XYZ-CERT wishes to encourage vendors of incident
- Identity
all kinds of affected systems
- Identity networking and computer equipment, software, and
services to improve the security of affected people
- Identity their products. In aid
of perpetrator
Recipients this, a vulnerability discovered in such a product will be
reported to its vendor, along with all technical details
needed to identify and fix the problem. Identifying details
will not be given to the vendor without the permission of information are the
affected parties.
- depending on Law enforcement officers will receive full cooperation from
the need XYZ-CERT, including any information they require to
know - are as follows:
- XYZ management
-
pursue an investigation, in accordance with the Policy on
Computing Services management
- Affected sysadmin at XYZ
- Affected sysadmin (or SIRT) at another site Facilities.
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 26] 28]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
- Affected user(s) at XYZ
- All sysadmins potentially concerned (potentially
vulnerable) at XYZ
- All sysadmins at XYZ
- All users potentially concerned at XYZ
(information will leak to general public)
- All users at XYZ (ditto)
- Computer security community
- Peer sysadmins and SIRTs
- Vendors
- Law enforcement
4.4 28 April 97
4.3 Communication and Authentication
In view of the types of information that the XYZ-SIRT XYZ-CERT will
likely be dealing with, telephones will be considered
sufficiently secure to be used even unencrypted. Unencrypted
e-mail will not be considered particularly secure, but will be
sufficient for the transmission of low-sensitivity data. If
it is necessary to send highly sensitive data by e-mail, PGP
will be used. Network file transfers will be considered to
be similar to e-mail for these purposes. purposes: sensitive data should
be encrypted for transmission.
Where it is necessary to establish trust, for example before
relying on information given to the XYZ-SIRT, XYZ-CERT, or before
disclosing confidential information, the identity and bona
fide of the other party will be ascertained to a reasonable
degree of trust. Within XYZ, XYZ University, and with known
neighbor sites, referrals from known trusted people will
suffice to identify someone. Otherwise, appropriate methods
will be used, such as a search of FIRST members, the use of
WHOIS and other Internet registration information, etc, along
with telephone call-back or e-mail mail-back to ensure that
the party is not an impostor. Incoming e-mail whose data must
be trusted will be checked with the originator personally, or
by means of digital signatures.
4.5 Points of Customer Contact
The preferred method for contacting the XYZ-SIRT will be
e-mail. If this signatures (PGP in particular is not possible, or not advisable for
security reasons, the XYZ-SIRT can be reached by telephone
during regular office hours.
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 27]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 97
supported).
5. Services
5.1 Incident Response
XYZ-SIRT
XYZ-CERT will help users and assist system administrators to handle in handling the
technical and organizational aspects of incidents. By that, In
particular, it will provide and facilitate:
- assistance or advice with respect
to understand the extend following aspects of incident management:
- Determining the extent of the incident.
- Determining the initial cause of the incident
(vulnerability exploited).
- Facilitating contact with other sites which may be
involved.
- Removing the vulnerability.
- Securing the system from the effects of the incident.
- Evaluating whether certain actions are likely to reap
results in proportion to their cost and risk, in
particular those actions aimed at an eventual prosecution
or disciplinary action: collection of evidence after the
fact, observation of an incident in progress, setting
traps for intruders, etc.
- Collecting evidence where criminal prosecution, or
University disciplinary action, is contemplated.
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 29]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
- Facilitating contact with XYZ University Security and/or
appropriate law enforcement officials, if necessary.
- Making reports to other SIRTs.
- ... Composing announcements to users, if applicable.
In addition, XYZ-CERT will collect statistics concerning
incidents which occur within or involve the XYZ University
community, and will notify the community as necessary to
assist it in protecting against known attacks.
To make use of XYZ-CERT's incident response services, please
send e-mail as per section 2.11 above. Please remember that
the amount of assistance available will vary according to
the parameters described in section 4.1.
5.2 Proactive Activities
The XYZ-SIRT will coordinate XYZ-CERT coordinates and maintain maintains the following
services to the extent possible depending on its resources:
- Information services
- List of departmental security contacts, administrative
and technical. These lists will be available to the
general public, via commonly-available channels such as
the World Wide Web and/or the Domain Name Service.
- Mailing lists to inform security contacts of new
information relevant to their computing environments.
These lists will be available only to XYZ University
system administrators.
- Repository of vendor-provided and other security-related
patches for various operating systems. This repository
will be available to the general public wherever
license restrictions allow it, and will be provided via
commonly-available channels such as the World Wide Web
and/or ftp.
- Repository of security tools and documentation for
use by sysadmins. Where possible, precompiled
ready-to-install versions will be supplied. These will
be supplied to the general public via www or ftp as
above.
- "Clipping" service for various existing resources, such
as major mailing lists and newsgroups. The resulting
clippings will be made available either on the
restricted mailing list or on the web site, depending
on their sensitivity and urgency.
- Training services
- Members of the XYZ-CERT will give periodic seminars on
computer security related topics; these seminars will
be open to XYZ University system administrators.
- Auditing services
- Central file integrity checking service for Unix
machines.
machines, and for any other platforms capable of
running "tripwire".
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 30]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 28 April 97
- Security level assignments; machines and subnetworks
at XYZ University will be audited and assigned a
security level. This security level information will be
available to the XYZ University community, to facilitate
the setting of appropriate access privileges. However,
details of the security analyses will be confidential,
and available only to the concerned parties.
- Archiving services
- Central logging service for machines capable of
Unix-style remote logging. Incoming log entries will
be watched by an automated log analysis program, and
events or trends indicative of a potential security
problem will be reported to the affected system
administrators.
- Records of security incidents handled. handled will be kept.
While the records will remain confidential, periodic
statistical reports will be made available to the XYZ
University community.
Detailed descriptions of the above services, along with
instructions for joining mailing lists, downloading
information, or participating in certain services such as the
central logging and file integrity checking services, are
available on the XYZ-CERT web site, as per section 2.10
above.
6. Incident Reporting Forms
There are no own local forms developed yet for reporting incidents
to XYZ-SIRT. XYZ-CERT. If possible, please make us use of the Incident
Reporting Form of the CERT Coordination Center (Pittsburgh,
PA). The actual version is available from:
ftp://info.cert.org/incident_reporting_form
7. Disclaimers
While every precaution will be taken in the preparation of
information, notifications and alerts, XYZ-SIRT XYZ-CERT assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages
resulting from the use of the information contained within.
4 Acknowlegements
The editors gratefully acknowledge the contributed material and
editorial scrutiny of Anne Bennett.
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 28] 31]
Expectations for Security Incident Response 26 March 28 April 97
9
5 References
[RFC 1244] P. Holbrooks, J. Reynolds / Site Security Handbook. -
July 23, 1991. - 101 pages. - FYI 8.
[RFC 1983] G. Malkin / Internet Users' Glossary. -
August 16, 1996. - 62 pages. - FYI 18.
10
6 Security Considerations
This document discusses issues of the operation of Security Incident Response
Teams, and the teams teams' interactions with their constituency. constituencies and
with other organizations. It is therefore is, therefore, not directly concerned
with the security of protocols,
applications applications, or network systems
themselves. It is not even concerned
about the response with particular responses and reaction
reactions to security incidents. incidents, but only with the appropriate
description of the responses provided by SIRTs.
Nonetheless, it is vital that the SIRTs themselves operate securely,
which means that they must establish secure communication channels
with other teams, and with members of their constituency. They must
also secure their own systems and infrastructure, to protect the
interests of their constituency and to maintain the confidentiality
of the identity of victims and reporters of security incidents.
11
7 Authors' Addresses
Nevil Brownlee
ITSS Technology Development
The University of Auckland
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 x8941
E-mail: n.brownlee@auckland.ac.nz
Erik Guttman
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Gaisbergstr. 6
69115 Heidelberg Germany
Phone: +49 6221 601649
E-Mail: eguttman@eng.sun.com
This document expires September 26, October 28, 1997.
Brownlee, Guttman Internet Draft [Page 29] 32]
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