Incident Response Playbooks for SOC Teams

SOC teams rely on playbooks to act quickly and consistently when threats appear. A well-crafted IR playbook turns chaos into repeatable steps, reducing decision time and errors.

An IR playbook is a living guide. It maps roles, signals, and actions for common threats. It tells you who to notify, what tools to use, and how to document evidence for post-incident reviews.

Core sections to include:

  • Scope and objectives: which systems are in scope, what counts as an incident
  • Roles and contact list: on-call owners, escalation paths
  • Detection criteria: what events count as an incident
  • Triage and classification: quick assessment to choose the right play
  • Containment and eradication steps: actions to limit spread and remove artifacts
  • Recovery plan: restoring services and verifying integrity
  • Evidence collection: logs to collect, where to store it
  • Communication plan: internal updates, customer notices, regulatory reporting
  • Post-incident review: what worked, what to improve

Common incident types benefit from a short, type-specific sequence. Examples include Phishing with credential compromise, Malware and ransomware, Data exfiltration, Denial of service. Each type gets a 3–5 step play to follow.

Example: Phishing leading to credential compromise

  • Detect: unusual authentication or credential spray alert
  • Triage: verify user reports, check logs
  • Contain: disable affected accounts, block phishing domains
  • Eradicate: remove malicious payload, patch phishing gaps
  • Recover: reset passwords, restore from clean backups
  • Review: capture lessons, update playbooks

Tips for implementing

  • Align playbooks with your tools: SIEM, EDR, ticketing, and chat
  • Keep it simple and actionable; avoid long pages
  • Test with tabletop or live drills and update after every exercise
  • Localize language and approvals for your organization

A good IR playbook is a force multiplier. It helps teams act decisively, share clear updates, and learn from each incident.

Common pitfalls to avoid include overcomplication, missing owners, and failing to keep evidence retention clear. Regular drills help teams stay fluent with the steps and tools they use every day.

Key Takeaways

  • A clear playbook speeds response and reduces mistakes.
  • Tailor sections to your tools, threats, and legal requirements.
  • Practice with drills and update after each incident for continuous improvement.