Full Report
After rigorous assessment, Kaspersky’s Industrial Systems Emergency Response Team (ICS CERT) has officially joined FIRST – the global Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams.
Analysis Summary
# Industry News: Kaspersky ICS CERT Joins Global Security Response Forum (FIRST)
## Summary
Kaspersky’s Industrial Control Systems Emergency Response Team (ICS CERT) has officially been accepted as a member of FIRST, the global organization for incident response and security teams. This adherence signals a significant step in validating Kaspersky’s operational maturity and commitment to standardized global information sharing within the critical infrastructure security space.
## Key Details
- Date: November 23, 2020 (Date of announcement)
- Companies Involved: Kaspersky ICS CERT, Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST)
- Category: Partnership/Standardization Acceptance
## The Story
The acceptance of Kaspersky ICS CERT into FIRST signifies that the team has successfully navigated the rigorous vetting process required by the organization. FIRST membership mandates adherence to specific standards for incident response handling, information sharing protocols, and operational best practices. For Kaspersky, joining this prestigious body integrates its specialized ICS response capabilities directly into the international ecosystem of trusted security entities, enhancing its ability to collaborate on cross-border and high-stakes industrial cyber events.
## Business Impact
### For the Companies Involved
- **Kaspersky ICS CERT:** Immediate access to FIRST’s network for timely, trusted communication regarding global threat intelligence, enabling faster and better-informed responses to ICS incidents affecting their clients worldwide. Enhanced credibility as an established, vetted provider in the ICS security monitoring and response sector.
- **FIRST:** Strengthens the forum’s representation within the specialized ICS security domain by integrating a key player with deep expertise in operational technology (OT) environments.
### For Competitors
- Competitors offering ICS incident response services will need to demonstrate equivalent adherence to recognized global quality and communication standards. This move validates Kaspersky's existing operational quality against industry benchmarks, potentially pressuring competitors with less formalized or recognized response teams.
### For Customers
- Customers, particularly those operating critical infrastructure both locally and internationally, gain assurance that Kaspersky’s incident response procedures align with globally accepted best practices, leading to more standardized and reliable support during security events.
### For the Market
- This development underscores the increasing professionalization and formalization of the Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security sector. It suggests a market trend favoring response teams integrated into established international collaboration frameworks.
## Technical Implications
Membership implies that Kaspersky ICS CERT must maintain standardized capabilities in areas such as secure communications, reliable threat reporting formats, and adherence to established information-sharing policies (e.g., the use of formats like STIX/TAXII where appropriate for trusted exchange).
## Strategic Analysis
- **Market Positioning:** Positioning Kaspersky ICS CERT as a top-tier, globally recognized entity in OT security incident response, moving beyond being just a vendor to becoming a trusted global collaborator.
- **Competitive Advantage:** The FIRST membership serves as a powerful trust signal, especially valuable in regulated or high-security environments where vendor vetting is paramount. It validates their operational methodology.
- **Challenges:** Maintaining the high standards required for continued membership and ensuring ongoing compliance with evolving FIRST protocols across diverse international regulatory landscapes.
## Industry Reactions
- **Analyst Opinions:** Analysts are likely to view this positively, seeing it as an essential step for any major security vendor serious about defending critical operational technology, as it signals a dedication to vetted collaboration over proprietary silos.
- **Expert Commentary:** Experts in the OT security field commonly advocate for formal structures like FIRST to ensure seamless global coordination during major attacks impacting interconnected industrial systems.
- **Market Response:** Expected to reinforce confidence in Kaspersky’s ability to handle complex, multi-jurisdictional ICS breaches.
## Future Outlook
- We can expect Kaspersky to leverage this membership in future marketing efforts targeting large industrial entities and government bodies responsible for national critical infrastructure protection. Watch for increased joint communication or collaborative white papers with other FIRST members.
## For Security Professionals
This strengthens the pool of vetted professionals available for collaboration during major incidents. Security professionals in OT environments should recognize that Kaspersky's response team now operates under a globally recognized badge of operational credibility, which simplifies inter-team communication during mutual response scenarios.