What is a "runbook" in the context of incident response?

A runbook in the context of incident response refers to a set of instructions that guide responders on how to handle specific types of incidents. It serves as a practical resource that outlines the steps to take when an incident occurs, ensuring a systematic and organized approach to incident management. The presence of a well-defined runbook can greatly enhance the efficiency of the response process by providing clear and concise guidance for analysts to follow, which helps in reducing response times and minimizing the potential impact of incidents.

Runbooks typically include details such as the identification of the incident type, the response procedures, escalation paths, and roles and responsibilities of team members. By adhering to these predefined steps, organizations can ensure a more coordinated response, which is essential in mitigating risks and restoring normal operations swiftly.

While historical incident data, automation tools, and documentation formats are important aspects of incident management, they do not define what a runbook is. Historical data helps in analyzing trends and improving future responses, but it doesn’t provide immediate action steps. Automation tools facilitate the execution of tasks but do not inherently carry the procedural guidance that a runbook offers. Similarly, documentation formats are useful for record-keeping but are not the actionable content that is found in a runbook.