up:: [[Security Policies and Governance]] # NIST Special Publication 800-83 NIST Special Publication 800-83, titled "Guide to Malware Incident Prevention and Handling for Desktops and Laptops," is a guideline developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It provides comprehensive recommendations for preventing, detecting, and responding to [[malware]] incidents specifically targeting desktop and laptop environments. ## Key Features - **Prevention Strategies:** Outlines best practices for preventing malware infections, such as the use of antivirus software, regular updates, and user training. - **Detection Techniques:** Provides methods for detecting [[malware]] activities using tools and monitoring systems. - **Response and Recovery:** Offers a structured approach to responding to [[malware]] incidents, including containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis. - **Policy Development:** Assists organizations in developing and implementing policies that support effective [[malware]] management. ## How It Works The guide provides a step-by-step approach: 1. **Prevention:** Implementing security measures to reduce the risk of malware infection. 2. **Detection:** Monitoring systems and networks for signs of malware activity. 3. **Analysis:** Determining the type, scope, and impact of the malware infection. 4. **Containment:** Isolating affected systems to prevent further spread. 5. **Eradication:** Removing the malware from all infected systems. 6. **Recovery:** Restoring systems to normal operations and confirming that they are no longer compromised. 7. **Post-Incident Review:** Evaluating the response and updating policies and defenses based on lessons learned. ## Common Techniques - **Regular Software Updates:** Ensuring that all systems and applications are up-to-date to minimize vulnerabilities. - **Antivirus and Anti-malware Tools:** Deploying and regularly updating these tools across all endpoints. - **Network Segmentation:** Limiting malware spread by segmenting networks into smaller, controlled zones. - **User Education:** Training users on how to recognize phishing attempts and other common malware delivery methods. ## Advantages - **Enhanced Security Posture:** Helps organizations strengthen their defenses against malware. - **Reduced Incident Impact:** Effective strategies for incident handling reduce the duration and impact of malware infections. - **Improved Recovery Time:** Structured recovery processes help return operations to normal more quickly after an incident. - **Compliance Support:** Assists in meeting compliance requirements related to cybersecurity incident management. ## Related Cybersecurity Policies - **[[NIST Special Publication 800-53|NIST SP 800-53]],** "Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations": Provides a broader set of security controls that include malware defense strategies. - **[[ISOIEC 27001|ISO/IEC 27001]]:** Offers guidelines on establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system, which complements the malware-specific strategies in SP 800-83. - **Cybersecurity Framework:** Developed by NIST to provide a high-level taxonomy of cybersecurity outcomes and a methodology to assess and manage those outcomes. ## Best Practices - Implement layered security controls as no single method is sufficient to protect against all types of malware. - Regularly update and patch systems to close vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware. - Conduct routine backups of critical data to facilitate recovery in the event of a malware attack. - Perform regular audits and simulations to test the effectiveness of existing malware defense and response strategies. ## Current Status As malware continues to evolve in complexity and sophistication, guidelines like NIST SP 800-83 are periodically reviewed and updated to include new technologies, tactics, and recovery techniques that address current cybersecurity challenges. ## Revision History - **2024-04-14:** Entry created.