A Guide to Establishing Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) For National Research and Education Network (NREN)

Abstract

Academic institutions worldwide embrace communication network and Internet services for their academic activities and collaboration. Communication network enable members of institutions to collaborate with each other and as well access Internet. Therefore, sophisticated cyber-attack emanating from one segment of the network or from the greater Internet can undoubtedly trigger crisis that can affect various stakeholders both within and outside the academic institutions. Consequently, a coordinated concerted effort is required for a more protected network and safe internet. This joint effort is mostly referred to as CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) or CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team). This paper provides the guides on establishing Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) for securing the National Research and Education Network (NREN) in Nigeria. Focused synthesis method using published articles and archival data has been collected and analysed in this study. Finally, the proposed guide would improve the management of cyber security issues in NREN.