OPSEC and Incident Response/SLA

OPSEC and Incident Response/SLA

At Nightjar, we understand the evolving nature of security threats and responding to those threats and issues in the digital realm. We recognize that achieving operational excellence is not just about delivering superior AWS cloud services but also about prioritising operational security and responding to incidents as a core tenet.

We are committed to staying informed about the latest threats and methods to preemptively safeguard our client's data and our infrastructure, thereby staying one step ahead of potential attackers.

In the complex world of digital services, incidents can and do occur. We have a robust incident response process in place, governed by our service level agreements (SLAs), that promptly addresses these incidents and ensures minimal disruption to our clients’ operations.

Operational Security (OPSEC)

Our Responsibilities

Threat Identification
The first step in our OPSEC approach is identifying potential threats. We continuously scan and analyse our systems to recognize and understand possible areas of vulnerability. Our team of experts uses sophisticated techniques to spot patterns, trends, and anomalies that could indicate a potential threat.

Risk Assessment
Following threat identification, we conduct comprehensive risk assessments to understand the potential impact of the identified threats. This step involves determining the likelihood of a threat materialising and the extent of damage it could inflict on our systems and client data.

Implementation of Countermeasures
Based on the risk assessments, we develop and implement countermeasures to mitigate these risks. This could involve strengthening our security architecture, applying security patches, enhancing our IAM policies, or adopting more advanced encryption techniques. Each decision is tailored to the specific threat to minimise its potential impact effectively.

Staying Informed and Ahead of Likely Attackers
Continual Learning and Training: At Nightjar, we encourage continuous learning and training for our employees. We stay abreast of the latest developments in cybersecurity by attending seminars, webinars, and training sessions. Our teams are frequently updated on the latest security threats and the best methods to combat them.

Partnerships with Security Organisations
We partner with leading security organisations and information-sharing forums. These alliances provide us with access to the latest threat intelligence, helping us preemptively identify new risks and devise strategies to mitigate them.

Utilisation of AWS Security Services
AWS offers several security services and tools that enable us to strengthen our OPSEC. Services like AWS Shield for DDoS mitigation, AWS WAF for application firewall, and AWS Macie for data privacy and security help us secure our environment and protect our clients' data.

Leveraging AI and Machine Learning
We use advanced AI and Machine Learning tools to analyse vast amounts of data and detect anomalies that humans might miss. These tools allow us to identify potential threats more quickly and respond in a timely manner.

Regular Audits and Compliance Checks
We perform routine security audits to ensure our systems comply with established security standards and policies. Regular compliance checks keep us aligned with industry standards and help us identify any gaps in our security posture.

Incident Response

Our Process

Incident Identification
This is the first step of our incident response process. Whether through automated alerts from monitoring tools or reports from our clients, once an incident is identified, it is immediately logged, and our response team is notified.

Incident Categorisation
We classify each incident based on its type and severity to determine the appropriate response. The categorization also helps in managing our resources more efficiently.

Incident Investigation
Our response team conducts an in-depth investigation to understand the root cause of the incident and its potential impact on our clients' operations.

Incident Resolution
After the root cause is identified, our team implements a solution to resolve the incident and restore normal service operations as quickly as possible.

Our Tools

We utilise an array of tools to assist in incident identification, response, and resolution. These include AWS CloudTrail for logging and monitoring our AWS environment, AWS GuardDuty for threat detection, and AWS Security Hub for comprehensive security insights. Additionally, we employ incident management tools like Asana to effectively track and manage incidents from identification to resolution.

Our Escalation Path

Depending upon the severity and nature of an incident, our escalation path is designed to bring in the right level of expertise and authority. It starts with our first-line support and can escalate to senior engineers, the Incident Response Team, and even up to the executive level if needed. Each escalation is guided by a clear set of protocols to ensure swift action.

Driving to a Final Resolution

Our primary goal is to reach a final resolution that not only rectifies the issue at hand but also prevents its recurrence. This involves identifying and addressing the root cause of the incident, implementing corrective measures, and testing the solution thoroughly. Post-resolution, a detailed incident report is shared with the client outlining the incident, the steps taken to resolve it, and future preventive measures.

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Our SLA is an essential part of our incident response framework. It sets out the terms and conditions of our services, including our commitment to response times based on the severity of incidents, uptime guarantees, and data protection measures. Our SLA provides transparency and predictability to our clients, assuring them of our dedicated support and timely resolution of incidents.

Conclusion

Operational security and incident management is an ongoing commitment at Nightjar. We understand the importance of staying informed about the latest threats and developing strategies to stay ahead of potential attackers. By leveraging AWS's powerful security tools, keeping abreast of the latest developments in cybersecurity, and adopting proactive security measures, we strive to maintain a secure and resilient operational environment for our clients. Our robust OPSEC responsibilities underscore our commitment to safeguarding our client's data, helping them navigate their digital journey with confidence and peace of mind.

Furthermore, our comprehensive incident response process, governed by our SLA, ensures we are prepared to handle any incident swiftly and effectively. Through our meticulous process, a wide array of tools, and a defined escalation path, we strive for prompt and complete resolution of incidents. By continually refining our incident response strategy, we aim to provide our clients with seamless and reliable AWS cloud services, helping them conduct their business operations with confidence and peace of mind.