Cost-Controlled Incident Response Case Study

This case study outlines a cost-controlled incident response strategy employed by an organization facing potential insider risk linked to encrypted data transfers from a senior IT administrator's device. The document details the challenges faced by leadership, including the need to preserve evidence, assess system compromise, and maintain discretion while managing costs. A disciplined forensic approach was implemented to secure relevant endpoints and ensure data integrity. The investigation was conducted in two tracks: a high-level cyber audit and a focused forensic analysis. The results confirmed the use of privacy tools and highlighted abnormal configurations on the workstation. The findings enabled leadership to take decisive action, including terminating the individual involved and implementing protective measures, all within a 40-hour timeframe and under a budget of $25,000. Deliverables from the engagement included court-defensible records and practical recommendations for future risk reduction.