IR-3 IR · Incident Response

Incident Response Testing

LOW ✓ MODERATE ✓ HIGH
3 Enhancements 1 Overlay 6 Related Controls
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Requirements NIST SOURCE

Test the effectiveness of the incident response capability for the system [frequency] using the following tests: [tests].

Discussion (NIST Supplemental Guidance)

Organizations test incident response capabilities to determine their effectiveness and identify potential weaknesses or deficiencies. Incident response testing includes the use of checklists, walk-through or tabletop exercises, and simulations (parallel or full interrupt). Incident response testing can include a determination of the effects on organizational operations and assets and individuals due to incident response. The use of qualitative and quantitative data aids in determining the effectiveness of incident response processes.

Enhancements NIST SOURCE

IR-3(1) Automated Testing LOW MODERATE HIGH

Test the incident response capability using [automated mechanisms].

Discussion

Organizations use automated mechanisms to more thoroughly and effectively test incident response capabilities. This can be accomplished by providing more complete coverage of incident response issues, selecting realistic test scenarios and environments, and stressing the response capability.

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IR-3(2) Coordination with Related Plans LOW ✓ MODERATE ✓ HIGH

Coordinate incident response testing with organizational elements responsible for related plans.

Discussion

Organizational plans related to incident response testing include business continuity plans, disaster recovery plans, continuity of operations plans, contingency plans, crisis communications plans, critical infrastructure plans, and occupant emergency plans.

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IR-3(3) Continuous Improvement LOW MODERATE HIGH

Use qualitative and quantitative data from testing to:

  1. (a) Determine the effectiveness of incident response processes;
  2. (b) Continuously improve incident response processes; and
  3. (c) Provide incident response measures and metrics that are accurate, consistent, and in a reproducible format.
Discussion

To help incident response activities function as intended, organizations may use metrics and evaluation criteria to assess incident response programs as part of an effort to continually improve response performance. These efforts facilitate improvement in incident response efficacy and lessen the impact of incidents.

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Implementation Guidance

Engineering Interpretation

Original engineering commentary written for this explorer — not NIST source text and not authoritative guidance.

No engineering interpretation has been authored for IR-3 yet. This section is architected to receive it — see the Requirements and Assessment sections above for the authoritative NIST source content in the meantime.

Assessment

NIST SP 800-53A REV 5.2.0

Assessment Objectives

  1. frequency at which to test the effectiveness of the incident response capability for the system is defined;
  2. tests used to test the effectiveness of the incident response capability for the system are defined;
  3. the effectiveness of the incident response capability for the system is tested <IR-03_ODP[01] frequency> using <IR-03_ODP[02] tests>.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: Incident response policy; contingency planning policy; procedures addressing incident response testing; procedures addressing contingency plan testing; incident response testing material; incident response test results; incident response test plan; incident response plan; contingency plan; system security plan; privacy plan; other relevant documents or records].

Interview

[SELECT FROM: Organizational personnel with incident response testing responsibilities; organizational personnel with information security and privacy responsibilities].

Overlays

OT/ICS Overlay SP 800-82r3

NIST SP 800-82r3 Appendix F, Table 22. Blank baseline means the control/control enhancement is not selected in that initial OT baseline.

LOW

Not applicable at this tier.

MODERATE

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)
  • Included: (2)

HIGH

  • Base control: Included (matches standard baseline)
  • Included: (2)

STIGs & CCIs

No STIG checks or CCI mappings are currently loaded for IR-3. This section is architected to display, per product: STIG ID, Finding ID, Severity, Title, Description, Check, Fix, CCI, and NIST control mapping — but nothing is populated here until a real DISA STIG/CCI dataset is ingested.

Learn more about STIG/CCI integration →

Evidence

Potential Evidence — Derived

Categorized from the SP 800-53A "Examine"/"Test" artifact list above by keyword — not an authoritative NIST evidence list.

Policy

  • Incident response policy
  • contingency planning policy
  • procedures addressing contingency plan testing
  • incident response test plan
  • incident response plan
  • contingency plan
  • system security plan
  • privacy plan

Other Records

  • procedures addressing incident response testing
  • incident response testing material
  • incident response test results
  • other relevant documents or records