Introduction: Why Every SOC Needs a Playbook
A SOC playbook is the cybersecurity equivalent of an emergency response manual. It provides step-by-step instructions for detecting, analyzing, and responding to security incidents. Organizations with documented playbooks experience:
✔ 53% lower breach costs (IBM 2023)
✔ 60% faster response times
✔ Standardized team workflows
This 3000+ word guide provides:
✅ 7 ready-to-use SOC playbook templates
✅ Real-world incident examples
✅ Customizable frameworks
✅ Automation integration tips
Section 1: Core Components of a SOC Playbook
1.1 Essential Playbook Sections
| Section | Purpose | Example Content |
|---|---|---|
| Incident Classification | Define severity levels | SEV0 (Critical) – SEV3 (Informational) |
| Roles & Responsibilities | Clarify team duties | Tier 1: Initial triage, Tier 2: Deep analysis |
| Detection Methods | How threats are identified | SIEM rules, EDR alerts, IDS signatures |
| Containment Procedures | Isolate threats | Network segmentation, endpoint isolation |
| Eradication Steps | Remove malicious artifacts | Malware removal, patch deployment |
| Recovery Protocols | Restore normal operations | System validation, backup restoration |
| Reporting Templates | Document incidents | Executive summary, technical details |
1.2 Playbook vs Runbook vs SOP
- Playbook: High-level framework for incident types (e.g., ransomware)
- Runbook: Detailed technical steps (e.g., “How to isolate a compromised host”)
- SOP (Standard Operating Procedure): Daily operational tasks (e.g., shift handoffs)
Section 2: 7 Critical SOC Playbook Templates
Playbook #1: Ransomware Response
Scenario: Encryption detected on 50+ endpoints
Steps:
1. Detection:
- SIEM alert: “Massive file encryption detected”
- EDR alert: “Ransomware behavior (e.g., Ryuk)”
2. Containment:
- Disable affected VLANs
- Isolate endpoints via NAC
3. Eradication:
- Deploy CrowdStrike ransomware rollback
- Patch vulnerable SMB services
4. Recovery:
- Restore from offline backups
- Reset all credentials
5. Automation:
- SOAR workflow to auto-isolate endpoints
Playbook #2: Phishing Incident
Scenario: CEO impersonation email with malicious link
Steps:
1. Detection:
- Email gateway alert: “Suspected CEO fraud”
- User reports suspicious email
2. Analysis:
- Check URL in VirusTotal
- Review email headers
3. Containment:
- Block sender domain
- Quarantine email across mailboxes
5. Remediation:
- Force password reset for clicked users
- Conduct user awareness training
Template:
If URL is malicious → Block domain in Cisco Umbrella
If credentials entered → Revoke O365 sessions Playbook #3: DDoS Attack
Scenario: Website unavailable, 10Gbps traffic spike
Steps:
1. Detection:
- Network monitoring: “Abnormal UDP flood”
- CDN alerts (Cloudflare/Akamai)
2. Mitigation:
- Enable AWS Shield Advanced
- Null-route attack IPs
3. Post-Attack:
- Analyze attack vectors (DNS/NTP amplification?)
- Update WAF rules
4. Automation:
- AWS Lambda to auto-scale during attacks
Playbook #4: Insider Threat
Scenario: Employee downloading customer DB to USB
Steps:
1. Detection:
- DLP alert: “Mass data transfer”
- UEBA anomaly: “After-hours activity”
2. Investigation:
- Review Okta login logs
- Check Carbon Black file access history
3. Action:
- Disable account immediately
- Preserve forensic evidence
4. Legal Consideration:
- Consult HR before confronting employee
Playbook #5: Cloud Compromise
Scenario: AWS S3 bucket exposed publicly
Steps:
1. Detection:
- AWS GuardDuty: “S3 bucket policy change”
- External scan: “Open S3 bucket found”
2. Containment:
- Set bucket to private
- Revoke IAM keys
3. Assessment:
- Check access logs via AWS CloudTrail
- Determine if PII was exposed
4. Compliance:
- Initiate GDPR breach notification if EU data leaked
Playbook #6: Zero-Day Exploit
Scenario: Log4j-style vulnerability
Steps:
1. Detection:
- Threat intel feed: “CVE-2024-XXXX critical RCE”
- WAF spike in exploit attempts
2. Workaround:
- Apply vendor-recommended mitigations
- Block exploit patterns via IPS
3. Patching:
- Prioritize internet-facing systems
- Validate fixes with Nessus
4. Communication:
- Send org-wide security advisory
Playbook #7: Malware Outbreak
Scenario: Emotet spreading via macros
Steps:
1. Detection:
- SentinelOne: “Office macro spawning PowerShell”
- VirusTotal: “Emotet signature match”
2. Containment:
- Disable Office macros GPO-wide
- Isolate infected subnets
3. Eradication:
- Deploy EDR quarantine
- Reset affected user profiles
4. Prevention:
- Implement GPO to block macros
Section 3: Playbook Implementation Guide
3.1 Building Your Playbook Library
- Start with Top 5 Threats (Ransomware, phishing, etc.)
- Use MITRE ATT&CK Framework to map tactics
- Integrate with SOAR for auto-execution
3.2 Playbook Maintenance
- Quarterly Reviews: Update based on new threats
- Tabletop Exercises: Test with red team
- Version Control: Track changes in Git
3.3 Free Resources
- NIST Incident Response Guide (SP 800-61)
- SANS Playbook Templates
- MITRE Engenuity Evaluations
Conclusion: Your Action Plan
- Download Our Templates: CupsDeeps.com/soc-playbooks
- Customize for Your Environment
- Train Teams with Simulations
🔐 Pro Tip: Start with 3 playbooks, then expand!
