In the realm of cybersecurity, the importance of 'incident handling' cannot be understated. With the rapid increase in digital transformation, the number of cyber attacks also surges, necessitating the mastery of this craft for any cybersecurity professional. The main focus of this comprehensive guide is the key phrase 'incident handling in cyber security' which will serve as the cornerstone in anyone's journey towards becoming a proficient incident handler.

The Importance of Incident Handling in Cybersecurity

Before diving into the practical aspects, one should understand why incident handling in cyber security is crucial. Incident handling acts as a first line of defense against any potential threats, thereby mitigating the possible effects of a cyber attack and aiding in recovery. Having proficient incident handlers can ensure minimal financial and reputation damage while maintaining customer trust - the three key factors that drive any organization's success.

What is Incident Handling?

In simple terms, 'incident handling' refers to the structured approach an organization takes to identify, respond to, and recover from security incidents. The overarching goal is to manage the situation such that damage is limited and both recovery time and costs are minimized. In this guide, we will delineate a systematic approach towards mastering incident handling in cyber security.

The Phases of Incident Handling

Usually, incident handling is segregated into six distinct phases, named preparation, detection and analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and lastly, lessons learned. For the sake of brevity, let’s focus on each phase individually:

Phase 1: Preparation

This primary phase demands the creation of an Incident response Plan (IRP) that includes various strategies to tackle different types of security breaches, attack vectors, and threat emanations. This phase also requires the arrangement of an Incident response Team (IRT) equipped with tools, training, and sophistication necessary for incident handling.

Phase 2: Detection and Analysis

This involves the monitoring of system logs, network traffic, and user reports to spot any unusual activities which might signal an ongoing cyber incident. Incident handlers must possess a deep understanding of typical network and system behavior to differentiate between usual activity and potential threats.

Phase 3: Containment

This phase aims at limiting the scope of the attack and preventing its spread to other systems or networks. Immediate, short-term containment options may involve disconnecting afflicted systems from the network, resetting passwords, or adding specific firewall rules to block certain IP addresses.

Phase 4: Eradication

Once the incident is contained, the next step is eradicating its root cause. This might necessitate the removal of malware, the identification and closure of exploited vulnerabilities, and changing all compromised passwords.

Phase 5: Recovery

This phase involves restoring affected systems or devices to their original state or better, if possible. Actions may include re-imaging systems, restoring from backups, and even full network segment replacements in escalated scenarios.

Phase 6: Lessons Learned

Finally, incident handlers should learn from every incident and the handling process. They should document every response activity, actions taken, what worked, and future improvements for each phase. This will serve as a basis for improvement for future incident handling actions and plans.

Training and Certification

As with any specialization, mastering the art of incident handling in cyber security requires a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical competence. It is highly recommended for any ambitious cyber security professional to take up courses, training programs, or certifications related to Incident Handling. These provide a structured approach to learning and offer hands-on experience with real-world cyber incident handling scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the art of incident handling in cyber security is a multi-layered and dynamic process. Constant learning and improvement are the only ways to steer ahead in this fast-paced cyber world. The systematic approach to incident handling detailed in this guide is crucial and provides a firm foundation for cybersecurity professionals. Keeping abreast with newer techniques, threats, and countermeasures, while continually updating one’s skills is the key to mastering the art of incident handling in cyber security.