Amend the Incident Response Plan below so that it includes all of these requirements. Reference and cite the included references if necessary. 
Design an incident response plan your home network. The IR plan should include the following elements:
* Mission
* Strategies and goals
* Senior management approval
* Organizational approach to incident response
* A list of roles and responsibilities for the incident response team members.
* How the incident response team will communicate internal users and external parties. 
* Metrics for measuring incident response capability and its effectiveness
* Roadmap for maturing incident response capability
* How the program fits into the overall organization (or in this case your home).
"Comprehensive Home Network Security and Incident Response Plan


1. Overview of Securing Our Home Network


In this era where everything is linked together, our home network transcends mere convenience; it's the core of our digital lifestyle. This guide acts as an exhaustive manual aimed at protecting the integrity, privacy, and functionality of our network at home. It lays out a comprehensive strategy for spotting, tackling, and bouncing back from different types of disruptions, ensuring our online activities are shielded with a focus on being meticulous and ready for anything.
2. Purpose, Scope, and Importance
The essence of this strategy is to establish a robust framework tailored for managing cybersecurity incidents within our domestic environment. This guide covers an extensive array of potential disruptions, from digital threats like malware to physical incidents like fires or floods, integrating best practices from cybersecurity experts (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2024). Its scope extends to all digital assets within our home, ensuring comprehensive protection.
3. Establishment of the Incident Response Team
Our dedicated team comprises:
Incident Response Coordinator (IRC): Acts as the central command, orchestrating all response efforts, ensuring coordination, and decision-making.
Technical Specialist: Responsible for the intricate technical maneuvers required during an incident, from malware removal to system restoration.
Communications Manager: Manages all forms of communication, ensuring clarity and accuracy both internally among household members and externally with service providers or emergency services.
Recovery Expert: Focuses on the restoration of services and data, ensuring that our digital life returns to normal with minimal data loss.
Documentation Lead: Chronicles every phase of the incident response for post-analysis, compliance, and improvement of future responses, following the guidelines by Kirvan (2024).
4. Detailed Incident Response Process
Adhering to the NIST framework (Cichonski et al., 2022), our process includes:
Preparation: An ongoing phase where we fortify our defenses, educate household members, and ensure all tools are at our disposal.
Detection & Analysis: A vigilant stage where we continuously monitor for anomalies, analyze potential threats, and confirm incidents.
Containment, Eradication, & Recovery: This critical phase involves isolating affected systems, removing threats, and restoring systems to operational status.
Post-Incident Activity: Here, we reflect on the incident, document lessons learned, update our strategies, and enhance our security measures.
5. Elaborate Communication Strategy
Internal Communications
We employ a secure, dedicated application for immediate alerts and updates. Regular family cybersecurity workshops enhance awareness and preparedness.
External Communications
Maintain an exhaustive list of contacts including ISPs, cybersecurity experts, and emergency services, ensuring all communications are encrypted when discussing sensitive issues. We follow the FCC's recommendations for emergency communications (2023) to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
6. Extensive Incident Response Procedures
6.1 Malware Infestation
Prevention: Implement a rigorous regime of software updates, antivirus installations, and cyber hygiene education. Regular data backups are scheduled to mitigate data loss.
Response: Immediate isolation of infected units, comprehensive system scans, and malware removal. Cross-check all networked devices for spread.
Recovery: System cleansing or full reinstalls if necessary, data restoration from secure backups, comprehensive password overhaul, and security protocol reassessment (National Cybersecurity Alliance, 2023).
6.2 Power Outage Protocols
Preparation: Equip critical systems with surge protectors and UPS. Maintain physical copies of emergency contacts and ensure accessibility of emergency lighting.
Response: Systematic shutdown of unprotected devices, safeguarding electronics from power surges, and utilizing mobile devices for ongoing communication.
Recovery: Gradual reactivation of systems post-power stabilization, thorough functionality checks, and network reconfiguration (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2019).
6.3 Fire Response Strategy
Prevention: Install and regularly test smoke alarms, keep fire extinguishers accessible, and practice evacuation drills. Store vital documents in fire-resistant safes.
Response: Swift evacuation, emergency services notification, and safe use of fire extinguishers on minor outbreaks. Ensure all family members are accounted for.
Recovery: Safety-first re-entry, comprehensive damage documentation for insurance, and phased recovery of network infrastructure (Thomas, 2024).
6.4 Water Damage from Pipe Bursts
Prevention: Knowledge of water shut-off locations, pipe insulation, and regular maintenance checks. Have plumber contacts on speed dial.
Response: Immediate water source shut-off, electrical safety measures, and relocation of electronics. Professional plumbing assistance is sought promptly.
Recovery: Detailed damage assessment, water removal, drying out, equipment repair or replacement, and implementation of preventive measures for future incidents (Progressive, 2024).
6.5 Internet Service Provider (ISP) Outages
Preparation: Secondary internet options like mobile hotspots are in place. Maintain detailed records of ISP account details, configure devices for automatic failover to backup connections, and conduct periodic tests of these backup systems to ensure readiness.
Response: Begin with basic troubleshooting steps like rebooting network hardware. Check ISP communication channels for outage notifications. If no widespread issues are reported, contact ISP support for resolution timelines, while activating alternative internet solutions for continuity of critical operations.
Recovery: Once service is restored, verify the stability of the connection. Document the outage duration, its impact, and any communications with the ISP for future reference or potential service credits. This experience might prompt a review of ISP reliability or consideration of alternative providers if such disruptions are recurrent (Bateman, 2022; Forbes, 2024; LinkedIn, 2023).
7. Additional Incident Scenarios and Preparedness
7.1 Phishing Attack Mitigation
Prevention: Deploy advanced email filtering tools, conduct ongoing education on identifying phishing attempts, and establish a clear protocol for reporting suspicious emails to prevent accidental data breaches or malware infections.
7.2 Physical Theft of Devices
Prevention: Enable all possible tracking features on devices, enforce robust password policies, and use encryption for sensitive data. Maintain an updated inventory of all devices with serial numbers and unique identifiers for quick reporting in case of theft.
7.3 Addressing Router Vulnerabilities
Prevention: Regular firmware updates for the router, change default admin credentials, enable and configure firewalls, and routinely audit the network for unknown devices. This proactive approach reduces the risk of unauthorized access or control (Whitman & Mattord, 2022).
8. Plan Maintenance, Training, and Simulation Exercises
Maintenance: This incident response plan isn't static; it requires annual review or immediate updates following significant changes in the home network setup or after an incident to incorporate new lessons learned.
Education and Drills: Every member of the household will engage in ongoing educational sessions to keep abreast of the latest in cybersecurity techniques, understand their roles during incidents, and learn how to handle security equipment.
Practice Scenarios: We'll run through mock situations at the table to gauge how well our strategy works, tweak our methods, and make sure everyone knows what to do. These practice runs will simulate everything from cyber threats to real-world emergencies, guaranteeing we're fully prepared for any eventuality (Heimdal Security, 2024).
9. Final Thoughts and Ongoing Development
This guide underscores our dedication to shielding our home network from various dangers. By fostering an environment of readiness, ongoing learning, and regular updates, we safeguard our digital possessions and guarantee quick, efficient reactions to any security breaches, reducing their effects. This strategy is dynamic, adapting to emerging risks, new tech, and our expanding knowledge of digital security. With careful implementation of this plan, we strengthen our defenses, keeping our digital space safe, confidential, and consistently accessible.












Works Cited

Bateman, K. (2022). What to do when your internet service provider keeps failing you. Best Company. https://bestcompany.com/isp/blog/what-to-do-when-your-internet-service-provider-or-isp-keeps-failing-you

Cichonski, P., Millar, T., Grance, T., & Scarfone, K. (2022). Computer security incident handling guide (NIST Special Publication 800-61, Revision 2). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-61r2

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (2024). Incident response plan basics. CISA. https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Incident-Response-Plan-Basics_508c.pdf

Federal Communications Commission. (2023). FCC/FEMA emergency communications tips. https://www.fcc.gov/emergency

Forbes, E. (2024). What do you do if your internet service provider is not resolving your technical issues? LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/what-do-you-your-internet-service-provider-resolving-3loef

Heimdal Security. (2024). Cybersecurity incident response plan templates. https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/cybersecurity-incident-response-plan-templates/

Kirvan, P. (2024). Incident response plan: How to build, examples, template. TechTarget. https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/feature/5-critical-steps-to-creating-an-effective-incident-response-plan

LinkedIn. (2023). How to choose an ISP with best incident and disaster practices. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-you-ensure-your-isp-follows-incident-4drlc

National Cybersecurity Alliance. (2023). How to tell if your computer has a virus and what to do about it. https://staysafeonline.org/online-safety-privacy-basics/how-to-tell-if-your-computer-has-a-virus-what-to-do-about-it/

Progressive. (2024). What to do when a pipe bursts. https://www.progressive.com/answers/water-pipe-burst/

Thomas, L. (2024). How to manage a fire - first aid advice. St. John Ambulance. https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/how-to/how-to-manage-a-fire/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2019). Incident action checklist - Power outages. https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/documents/191126-incidentactionchecklist-po-form_508c.pdf

Whitman, M. E., & Mattord, H. J. (2022). Principles of information security (7th ed.). Cengage Learning."