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Nilesh Bhamare 
Nilesh Bhamare
Manager | Malware Analysis | Threat Hunting | Threat Intelligence| Incidence Response| Digital Forensics
Published Mar 29, 2024
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In incident response, two important terms often come up: runbook and playbook. While these terms may seem similar, they have distinct meanings and purposes. Let's break it down in simple terms:
Runbook
A runbook is like a detailed instruction manual for specific tasks in incident response. It provides step-by-step guidance on the tactical processes and actions needed to resolve an incident. From identifying the problem to implementing the solution, runbooks ensure that everyone involved knows what to do. They streamline processes, minimize errors, and boost efficiency in incident response efforts.
A well-written runbook not only makes execution easier but also aims to automate the actions, making the runbook itself unnecessary. It's like having a recipe that you can follow to cook a delicious meal every time. Runbooks are especially useful for recurring issues, as they make problem-solving repeatable and programmatically solvable.
Playbook
Now, a playbook is a broader document that focuses on the strategic actions in incident response. It's like a master plan that encompasses various tactical processes. Playbooks contain formal steps and actions that can be automated, as well as decisions that require human intervention. They provide a comprehensive framework for handling security incidents and serve as a checklist of actions to be taken.
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Playbooks are not just about immediate resolution; they also capture the knowledge and learnings from past incidents. By documenting the steps to resolve issues, playbooks improve visibility across teams and prevent information from being scattered. They can even include performance indicators and metrics to measure the effectiveness of incident response processes.
The Relationship
While runbooks and playbooks have distinct purposes, they often work together in incident response. Runbooks provide detailed instructions for specific tasks, while playbooks offer strategic guidance and cover the bigger picture. Multiple runbooks and playbooks can be assigned to a single incident, ensuring the right level of automation and orchestration for each situation.
In summary, runbooks are like detailed instruction manuals, while playbooks are comprehensive strategic plans. Both are essential in incident response, ensuring effective and efficient handling of security incidents.
#cybersecurity #incidentresponse #runbook #playbook #knowledge #automation
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Nadeem Shaikh
Senior Consultant Application Management - Site Reliability Engineer @worldline || Valid US B1 Visa
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Thanks for sharing
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