FIRST Membership Process for Teams

Version: 2.1, July 2023
Also available in PDF.

Membership Process Overview

1. Overview

The following is a detailed process of becoming a FIRST Full Member (teams only).

As part of acquiring full membership, two Sponsor teams are needed to support the Candidate team seeking to join FIRST. This document describes the application and sponsoring process, including the Site Visit to the Candidate. The end goal of this process is to become a member and walk the candidate through the process.

As part of acquiring full membership, two Sponsor teams are needed to support the Candidate team seeking to join FIRST. This document describes the Sponsoring Process, including the Site Visit to the Candidate. The end goal of this process is to become a member and walk the candidate through the process.

It is required that the Candidate runs a self-assessment utilizing the Security Incident Management Maturity Model (SIM3). An online tool is available (via the online application form) for this purpose. A subset of the SIM3 parameters must score according to a baseline (see Annex 3), all other parameters are offered for consideration but have no mandatory scores*. The Sponsor should review the self-assessment prior or during the Site Visit or conduct the SIM3 assessment with the team they are sponsoring.

The Candidate must support and host the Site Visit, which is performed by the Primary Sponsor. The Site Visit results need to provide FIRST with enough assurance that the Candidate meets all requirements to become an active and beneficial member of FIRST. A site visit report must be provided for all applications starting in August 2023. A site visit report template (Annex 7) is provided for reference and can be modified by the sponsors as needed.

In the next section, the Sponsoring Process is described in detail, whereas the Site Visit is detailed in Annex 2.

* Note that SIM3 is primarily geared for cybersecurity incident management teams of all kinds. However, the focus is only on a subset of the SIM3 parameters, and that subset also applies to e.g. PSIRTs. See Annex 3.

A high-level view on the process with the steps, stakeholders, and estimated duration is presented on Annex 8.

2. Application and Sponsoring Process

The process is composed of 15 steps with a global estimated duration of 7 months. Depending on the experience of the applying Team, and the Sponsors, this can take shorter. There is no formal minimum duration for the application process.
Please note that:

Step 1: A team wishes to become a FIRST Full Member and completes the Membership Interest Form
This is the starting point. We refer to this team as “the Candidate”. The Candidate will create a profile for the FIRST Portal and then complete the Membership Interest Form which will be submitted to the FIRST Secretariat.

Step 2: Candidate must find two FIRST full members who agree to act as Sponsors. The application process cannot proceed without sponsors.
The Candidate may review the list of current teams to find sponsors. It is recommended that Candidates reach out to teams they have worked with or who are in their industry/region. The Primary sponsor should be from outside the Candidates host/parent organization. The FIRST Secretariat and Membership Committee (MC) may be contacted to assist with introductions if needed but the team should provide suggested teams in their region or with whom they have worked/collaborated.
Estimated duration – 1 month

Step 3: Candidate prepares and schedules the site visit with their primary sponsor
Prior to the site visit the candidate may review the Site Visit template report to prepare the requested materials/documents for review and ensure enough time is reserved to cover all topics.
Estimated duration – 1 week

Step 4: Candidate performs a SIM3 self-assessment
Prior to or during the Site Visit, the Candidate runs a self-assessment utilizing the Security Incident Management Maturity Model (SIM3). This is supported by an online tool within the online application form. Results of the SIM3 self-assessment MUST be reviewed by the primary sponsor.

A subset of the SIM3 parameters needs to score according to a baseline (see Annex 3), all other parameters are offered for consideration but have no mandatory scores. After conducting the self-assessment, the Candidate shares the result with both Sponsors to identify potential areas that they should clarify or work on before the Site Visit. Prior to submitting the application, the Open Actions tab in the SIM3 tool should read 0 indicating completion.
Estimated duration – 1 week

Step 5: Primary Sponsor conducts Site Visit
How to perform the Site Visit is described in more detail in Annex 2. A base template of the report is available at Annex 7. This report is required for all applying teams as of January 2023.
From 1st November 2021, the SIM3 approach is used to validate whether the required subset of parameters scores sufficiently.
Estimated duration – 1 day

Step 6: Candidate completes the Full Member Application Form
The Candidate must gain access to the FIRST Membership Application Form on FIRST Portal.

Next, the Candidate must fill out the Full Member Application Form: an overview of all mandatory and optional fields to fill out is given in Annex 1. The Sponsors (and the Mentor, if applicable) will help fill this out, if needed. The application statement in the form replaces the need for a separate application letter from the candidate. The statement should include the reasons they want to join FIRST and the benefits they intend to bring to the FIRST community. They share this with both Sponsors.
Estimated duration – 1 month.

Information provided in the application form will be used to update the teams profile in the FIRST Portal. By applying to FIRST, the candidate agrees to review this information annually for accuracy and provide regular updates to team details and confirm team members.

Step 7: Sponsors review candidacy
The Primary Sponsor informs the Secondary Sponsor on the Site Visit results. Both validate these, as well as the application letter, the Full Member Application Form as filled out in full by Candidate (see the overview in Annex 1), and the PGP/GPG keys. At this stage Candidate needs to have assigned both Team Reps (Primary and Secondary), and both may have PGP/GPG-keys (optional), along with the Team’s key.
Estimated duration – 1 week

Step 8: Sponsors write supporting letters and Site Visit report
The Primary Sponsor also finalizes the Site Visit report, including the assessment of the required subset of SIM3 parameters. Both Sponsors must validate the application package which includes:

Once both Sponsors are confident with the eligibility of the Candidate as future member of FIRST, they write and upload their letters of support recommending the Candidate for full membership. Sponsors can use Annex 4 as a starting point for their letters. Sponsors have the option to highlight any potentially questionable issues.
Estimated duration – 1 week.

Step 9: All materials are submitted for review
Sponsors or Candidate upload on the FIRST portal and then submit the Full Member Application Form. This is the final step from the Candidate and the Sponsors.
Estimated duration – 1 day

Step 10: Candidacy compliance check by the FIRST Secretariat
The Secretariat checks the submitted Full Member Application Form monthly on completeness and validity of the Application package. If necessary, interaction with Candidate and Sponsors is activated.

Once all is in order, the application is passed on to the Membership Committee for review.
Estimated duration – 1 month, maximum of 2 months in case of issues

Step 11: Membership Committee review
The MC reviews the application. Once the MC is confident to move forward, it recommends the FIRST Secretariat to accept the application. In case of issues with any component of the Application Package, the MC provides detailed feedback. In case of an issue, go to step 13.
Estimated duration – 2 weeks

Step 12: Review by Membership and Board
The FIRST Secretariat submits the application (including the MC recommendation) to the FIRST teams mailing list. If no issue is raised FIRST Secretariat submits the application to the Board. In case of an issue, go to step 13.
Estimated duration – 2 weeks

Step 13: Application feedback and reapplication (if needed)
If any issues or objections are identified during the application process, the FIRST Secretariat takes this back to the Candidate and the Sponsors for resolution – involving the Mentor if one was appointed.

If needed, the process loops back to step 7. In case Candidate and Sponsors fail to solve issues/objections, the application gets rejected, and Candidate and Sponsors are formally informed thereof.

Rejected teams have the right to re-apply, after they can convincingly explain to the FIRST Secretariat, together with their Sponsors (and the previous Mentor, if one was appointed), that the situation has changed enough to warrant a new application. If needed, the Secretariat will consult with the FIRST Membership Committee.
Estimated duration – 2 months

Step 14: FIRST Board votes on application
Once everything has been successfully validated, the Board votes on approval of the Candidate’s application, and this is duly noted in the minutes. If approved, proceed to step 15. If not approved, go back to step 13.
Estimated duration – 1 to 2 months

Step 15: Notification
FIRST Secretariat notifies the Candidate and the Sponsors of the approval and sends the "Welcome Package" to the new Full Team member. All members are notified of the success of the Application.
Estimated duration – 1 week

3. Further reading/resources

The following documents are recommended as they provide useful information to Candidates, or even to Teams once members of the FIRST community.

Annex 1 – Application Checklist

The checklist below corresponds with the Full Member Application Form on the FIRST website.

Item Mandatory/Optional
A brief statement of why the Team would like to join FIRST and how it plans to participate – application letter Mandatory
Primary Sponsor – FIRST full member – uploaded on the portal Mandatory
Primary Sponsor Sponsoring Letter – uploaded on the portal Mandatory
Secondary Sponsor – FIRST full member – uploaded on the portal Mandatory
Secondary Sponsor Sponsoring Letter – uploaded on the portal Mandatory
Site Visit Report and SIM3 Assessment – uploaded on the portal Mandatory
Team Information
  • Team Name – this is usually an acronym like CERT-XXX
  • Official Team Name – the full name
  • CSIRT Type – Academic, Government, Industry, National, PSIRT
  • Host Organization – where the team is residing in
  • Country of Team – main country where the team is based in
  • Date of Establishment
  • Optional: Other Countries of Team
  • Optional: Website
Mandatory (optional where indicated)
Team Members
  • Fill this out completely for the Primary Representative, Public PGP Key is optional
  • Fill this out completely for the Secondary Representative, Public PGP Key is optional
  • Optional to fill this out for other Team Members (Public PGP Key recommended then, not mandatory)
Mandatory (optional where indicated)
Contact Information
  • Regular telephone number
  • Emergency telephone number
  • E-mail address
  • Postal address
  • Optional: Facsimile number, Other communication facilities, Max response time, Escalation path
Mandatory (optional where indicated)
Constituency
  • Type of Constituency
  • Source of Constituency
  • Description of Constituency
  • Countries of Constituency
  • Optional: Internet domain and/or IP address range describing the constituency, Constituency AS numbers, IP addresses ranges within constituency, DNS within constituency, Additional constituency links (URLs)
Mandatory (optional where indicated)
Services based on FIRST Services Framework
  • CSIRT Framework
    • Service Area: Information Security Event Management
      • Service: Monitoring and Detection
      • Service: Event Analysis
    • Service Area: Information Security Incident Management
      • Service: Information Security Incident Report Acceptance
      • Service: Information Security Incident Analysis
      • Service: Artifact and Forensic Evidence Analysis
      • Service: Mitigation and Recovery
      • Service: Information Security Incident Coordination
      • Service: Crisis Management Support
    • Service Area: Vulnerability Management
      • Service: Vulnerability Discovery/Research
      • Service: Vulnerability Report Intake
      • Service: Vulnerability Analysis
      • Service: Vulnerability Coordination
      • Service: Vulnerability Disclosure
      • Service: Vulnerability Response
    • Service Area: Situational Awareness
      • Service: Data Acquisition
      • Service: Analysis and Synthesis
      • Service: Communication
    • Service Area: Knowledge Transfer
      • Service: Awareness Building
      • Service: Training and Education
      • Service: Exercises
      • Service: Technical and Policy Advisory
  • PSIRT Framework
    • Service Area: Stakeholder Ecosystem Management
      • Service: Internal Stakeholder Management
      • Service: Finder Community Engagement
      • Service: Community and Organizational Engagement
      • Service: Downstream Stakeholder Management
      • Service: Incident Communications Coordination within the Organization
      • Service: Reward Finders with Recognition & Acknowledgement
      • Service: Stakeholder Metrics
    • Service Area: Vulnerability Discovery
      • Service: Intake of Vulnerability Reporting
      • Service: Identify Unreported Vulnerabilities
      • Service: Monitoring for Product Component Vulnerabilities
      • Service: Identifying New Vulnerabilities
      • Service: Vulnerability Discovery Metrics
    • Service Area: Vulnerability Triage and Analysis
      • Service: Vulnerability Qualification
      • Service: Established Finders
      • Service: Vulnerability Reproduction
    • Service Area: Remediation
      • Service: Remedy Release Management Plan
      • Service: Remediation
      • Service: Incident Handling
      • Service: Vulnerability Release Metrics
    • Service Area: Vulnerability Disclosure
      • Service: Notification
      • Service: Coordination
      • Service: Disclosure
      • Service: Vulnerability Metrics
    • Service Area: Training and Education
      • Service: Training the PSIRT
      • Service: Training the Development Team
      • Service: Training the Validation Team
      • Service: Continuing Education for all Stakeholders
      • Service: Provide Feedback Mechanisms
Mandatory to acknowledge what applies
Information Handling Policies
  • How is information handled, especially with regards to exclusivity? – needed as any CSIRT/PSIRT team must be able to handle information confidentially
  • What considerations are adopted for the disclosure of information, especially incident related information passed on to other teams or to sites? – the reply here should include the team’s support and usage of TLP.
  • Optional: How is incoming information classified? Are there any legal considerations to take into account with regards to the information handling? Policy on use of cryptography to shield exclusivity & integrity in archives and in communications, especially email, Disclosure policy URL, Product support policy URL
Mandatory (optional where indicated)
Cryptography
  • Optional: PGP public key – here the team-key is asked for: the keys for the Team Reps have been specified under their contact information
Optional
FIRST Mailing Lists
  • FIRST Teams list – the email address to subscribe to the email distribution list that holds all FIRST members
  • Optional: FIRST Representatives email – the email address to subscribe to the email distribution list that holds all FIRST representatives (and FIRST staff).
    Note: by default, the two Team Reps are added to this list, hence this entry is optional and can be used in case the team wishes to specify a functional address here
  • Optional: Allowed posters
    Note: by default the FIRST mail servers will accept all mails sent to FIRST lists that come from the teams’ main domain name (e.g. csirt-fantasy.org), hence this entry is optional and can be used when the team needs to allow other "posters" as well who are not covered by the default
Mandatory (optional where indicated)
Invoice Information
  • Optional: PO or Ref. – Specify a Purchase Order number or a reference that needs to be included in the invoices for your team
  • Optional: VAT – specify the Team’s organization VAT number if it is relevant to have it appear on the invoices for the Team
  • Optional: Bill to a different address? – "no" by default, meaning the team address will be specified on the invoice; choose "yes" if you need a different address on the invoice, and then specify that address in the next 3 fields
  • Optional: Billing Contact, Billing E-mail, Bill To
Optional

Annex 2 – Site Visit Procedure

The Primary Sponsor visits the Candidate’s premises, with the goal of verifying if the Candidate meets the FIRST membership requirements. The Site Visit can be performed virtually instead of in-person, using videoconferencing tools (audio only is not permitted). The Secondary Sponsor is welcome to participate in the Site Visit, either in person or online.

During the Site Visit the Sponsor(s) review the Candidate’s organization, processes, tools, systems, premises, etcetera, to gain a thorough understanding on the Candidate’s readiness to become a full member of FIRST. This understanding is necessary to enable the Sponsors to support the Candidate’s application.

The organization of the Site Visit is up to the Primary Sponsor. The following 6 items are the ingredients:

1 – Mandatory – The Candidate is evaluated against a subset of SIM3 parameters
The 11 mandatory parameters to review are O-1, O-2, O-3, O-4, O-5, O-10, H-1, H-2, H-7, P-1, P-11. The baseline is set to minimum levels that must be met by Candidate are shown in Annex 3. The online tool is tailored to facilitate this process and a link is accessible in your online application form.

2 – Optional – Discussion of the remaining SIM3 parameters Optional, but strongly encouraged
Such a discussion (the same tool can be used as basis) will be beneficial both for the Candidate and their understanding on how to further advance their team maturity, but also for the Sponsor(s) to gain deeper understanding of the Candidate. (See Annex 3 for all SIM3 parameters) Note: the current version of SIM3 still focuses on CSIRTs of all kinds. Some potential members, like PSIRTs, will fall more or less outside that categorization – in that case, still most SIM3 parameters will apply, and the discussion will still be beneficial, but enough flexibility needs to be exercised by the Sponsor(s).

3 – Mandatory – Candidate and Sponsors to assess the Full Member Application Form
This is to see if Candidate has supplied or can supply all the necessary information and discuss where needed. PGP/GPG keys and the usage of PGP/GPG inside the FIRST community are part of the discussion.

4 – Optional – Sponsor(s) to discuss TLP and the FIRST Code of Ethics with Candidate Optional, but strongly encouraged.
Neither are mandatory, however FIRST strongly recommends to all their members to respect and support both.

5 – Mandatory – Sponsor(s) to assess whether Candidate is in the position to become a full member of FIRST and be an asset to the FIRST community
Sponsors, to their best professional judgment, must assess whether Candidate has the values to become a full member of FIRST and will be able to bring value to the FIRST community. The matter of "trust", basics to how the FIRST community functions, must be thoroughly discussed with the Candidate.

6 – Optional – Sponsor(s) to assess with Candidate its security and confidentiality situation Optional, but strongly encouraged
Sponsor(s) are strongly encouraged to assess together with Candidate the security/confidentiality situation that Candidate is in – regarding premises, access control, separate room(s), network, and system security, etcetera – both physical security and cybersecurity wise.

There are no absolute rules to give here, as much also depends on the kind of environment that Candidate is in. For a university CSIRT the reasonable demands will differ from those for a bank or government team. The end goal is to ensure that the Candidate has a reasonable ability to keep FIRST information confidential. Sponsor(s) can help Candidate in this regard, also to increase the awareness of Candidate (and their governance) for these issues. In the case that Sponsor(s) have grave concerns about such issues, that Candidate cannot take away, these must be highlighted in the Site Report.

After the Site Visit the Primary Sponsor writes a Site Visit report which is part of the FIRST full member application process. This report must include the result of the assessment of the required subset of SIM3 parameters. The report is shared with the Secondary Sponsor and Candidate for comments and discussion.

7 - Sponsor to draft a Site Visit report
A sample template is available on Annex 7

Annex 3 – SIM3 Parameters

The following first table is derived from SIM3 and primarily targeted at cybersecurity incident management teams (CSIRTs, NCSCs, CDCs, CIRTs, etc.).

A second version of this table, but limited to only the 11 required parameters, and aimed at PSIRTs, and is further down in this Annex.

IM3 Parameters

Parameter Description Required level
O – "Organization" Parameters
O-1
MANDATE
Description: The CSIRT’s assignment as derived from upper management. 3
O-2
CONSTITUENCY
Description: Who the CSIRT functions are aimed at CONSTITUENCY the "clients" of the CSIRT. 3
O-3
AUTHORITY
Description: What the CSIRT can do towards their constituency in order to accomplish their role. 3
O-4
RESPONSIBILITY
Description: What the CSIRT is expected to do towards their constituency in order to accomplish their role. 3
O-5
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Description: Describes what the CSIRT service is and how to reach it. Minimum requirement: Contains the CSIRT contact information, service windows, concise description of the CSIRT services offered and the CSIRT’s policy on information handling and disclosure. 3
O-7
SERVICE LEVEL DESCRIPTION
Description: Describes the level of service to be expected from the CSIRT. Minimum requirement: Specifies the speed of reaction to incoming incident reports and reports from constituents and from peer CSIRTs. For the latter a human reaction within two working days is the minimum expected. -
O-8
INCIDENT CLASSIFICATION
Description: The availability and application of an incident classification scheme to recorded incidents. Incident classifications usually contain at least "types" of incidents or incident categories. However, they may also include the "severity" of incidents. -
O-9
INTEGRATION IN EXISTING CSIRT SYSTEMS
Description: Describes the CSIRT's level of membership of a well-established CSIRT co-operation, either directly or through an "upstream" CSIRT of which it is a customer/client. This is necessary to participate and integrate in the trans-national/worldwide CSIRT system(s). -
O-10
ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK
Description: Fits O-1 to O-9 together in a coherent framework document serving as the controlling document for the CSIRT. Minimum requirement: Describes the CSIRT’s mission and parameters O-1 to O-9.
note: for FIRST application, change "O-1 to O-9" into "O-1 to O-5"
3
O-11
SECURITY POLICY
Description: Describes the security framework within which the CSIRT operates. This can be part of a bigger framework, or the CSIRT can have their own security policy. -
H – "Human" Parameters
H-1
CODE OF CONDUCT/ PRACTICE/ ETHICS
Description: A set of rules or guidelines for the CSIRT members on how to behave professionally, potentially also outside work. Clarification: E.g. the FIRST Code of Ethics. Behavior outside work is relevant, because it can be expected of CSIRT members that they behave responsibly in private as well where computers and security are concerned. 2
H-2
PERSONNEL RESILIENCE
Description: How CSIRT staffing is ensured during illness, holidays, people leaving, etc. Minimum requirement: three (part-time or full-time) CSIRT members. 2
H-3
SKILLSET DESCRIPTION
Description: Describes the skills needed on the CSIRT job(s). -
H-4
INTERNAL TRAINING
Description: Internal training (of any kind) available to train new members and to improve the skills of existing ones. -
H-5
(EXTERNAL) TECHNICAL TRAINING
Description: Program to allow staff to get job-technical training externally – like FIRST training, TRANSITS, ENISA CSIRT Training, or commercial training programs (CERT/CC, SANS, etc.) -
H-6
(EXTERNAL) COMMUNICATION TRAINING
Description: Program to allow staff to get (human) communication/presentation training externally. -
H-7
EXTERNAL NETWORKING
Description: Going out and meeting other CSIRTs. Contributing to the CSIRT system when feasible. 2
T – "Tools" Parameters
T-1
IT RESOURCES LIST
Description: Describes the hardware, software, etc. commonly used in the constituency, so that the CSIRT can provide targeted advice. -
T-2
INFORMATION SOURCES LIST
Description: Where does the CSIRT get their vulnerability/threat/scanning information from. -
T-3
CONSOLIDATED E-MAIL SYSTEM
Description: When all CSIRT mail is (at least) kept in one repository open to all CSIRT members, we speak of a consolidated e-mail system. -
T-4
INCIDENT TRACKING SYSTEM
Description: A trouble ticket system or workflow software used by the CSIRT to register incidents and track their workflow. Clarification: RTIR, AIRT, OTRS, trouble ticket systems in general. -
T-5
RESILIENT PHONE
Description: The phone system available to the CSIRT is resilient when its uptime and time-to-fix service levels meet or exceed the CSIRT’s service requirements. Clarification: Mobile phones are the easiest fallback mechanism for when a team’s landlines are out of order. Minimum requirement: Fallback mechanism for the case of phone system outages -
T-6
RESILIENT E-MAIL
Description: The e-mail system available to the CSIRT is resilient when its uptime and time-to-fix service levels meet or exceed the CSIRT’s service requirements. -
T-7
RESILIENT INTERNET ACCESS
Description: The Internet access available to the CSIRT is resilient when its uptime and time-to-fix service levels meet or exceed the CSIRT’s service requirements. -
T-8
INCIDENT PREVENTION TOOLSET
Description: A collection of tools aimed at preventing incidents from happening in the constituency. The CSIRT operates or uses these tools or has access to the results generated by them. Clarification: e.g. IPS, virus scanning, spam filters, port scanning. If not applicable as for a purely coordinating CSIRT, choose -1 as Level and will be omitted from "scoring". -
T-9
INCIDENT DETECTION TOOLSET
Description: A collection of tools aimed at detecting incidents when they happen or are near happening. The CSIRT operates or uses these tools or has access to the results generated by them. Clarification: e.g. IDS, Quarantine nets, NetFlow analysis. -
T-10
INCIDENT RESOLUTION TOOLSET
Description: A collection of tools aimed at resolving incidents after they have happened. The CSIRT operates or uses these tools or has access to the results generated by them. Clarification: e.g. basic CSIRT tools including who is, traceroute etc.; forensic toolkits. -
P – "Processes" Parameters
P-1
ESCALATION TO GOVERNANCE LEVEL
Description: Process of escalation to upper management for CSIRTs who are a part of the same host organization as their constituency. For external constituencies: escalation to governance levels of constituents. 3
P-2
ESCALATION TO PRESS FUNCTION
Description: Process of escalation to the CSIRT’s host organization’s press office. -
P-3
ESCALATION TO LEGAL FUNCTION
Description: Process of escalation to the CSIRT’s host organization’s legal office. -
P-4
INCIDENT PREVENTION PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT prevents incidents, including the use of the related toolset. Also, this includes the adoption of proactive services like the issuing of threat/vulnerability/patch advisories. -
P-5
INCIDENT DETECTION PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT detects incidents, including the use of the related toolset. -
P-6
INCIDENT RESOLUTION PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT resolves incidents, including the use of the related toolset. -
P-7
SPECIFIC INCIDENT PROCESSES
Description: Describes how the CSIRT handles specific incident categories, like phishing or copyright issues. Clarification: may be part of P-6. -
P-8
AUDIT/FEEDBACK PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT assesses their setup and operations by self-assessment, external or internal assessment and a subsequent feedback mechanism. Those elements considered not up-to-standard by the CSIRT and their management are considered for future improvement. -
P-9
EMERGENCY REACHABILITY PROCESS
Description: Describes how to reach the CSIRT in cases of emergency. Clarification: Often only open to fellow teams. -
P-10
BEST PRACTICE E-MAIL AND WEB PRESENCE
Description: Describes (1) the way in which generic, security related mailbox aliases @org.tld are handled by the CSIRT or by parties who know when what to report to the CSIRT – and (2) the web presence. -
P-11
SECURE INFORMATION HANDLING PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT handles confidential incident reports and/or information. Also has bearing on local legal requirements. Clarification: it is advised that this process explicitly supports the use of TLP, the Traffic Light Protocol. 2
P-12
INFORMATION SOURCES PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT handles the various information sources available to the CSIRT (as defined in the related tool, if available – see T-2). -
P-13
OUTREACH PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT reaches out to their constituency not in regard incidents but in regard PR and awareness raising. -
P-14
REPORTING PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT reports to the management and/or the CISO of their host organization, i.e. internally. -
P-15
STATISTICS PROCESS
Description: Describes what incident statistics, based on their incident classification (see O-8), the CSIRT discloses to their constituency and/or beyond. Clarification: If not applicable as in case of an explicit choice only to report internally, choose -1 as Level and will be omitted from "scoring". -
P-16
MEETING PROCESS
Description: Defines the internal meeting process of the CSIRT. -
P-17
PEER-TO-PEER PROCESS
Description: Describes how the CSIRT works together with peer CSIRTs and/or with their "upstream" CSIRT. -

Below follows the PSIRT-tailored version of the above table. It is limited to only the 11 required parameters:

Parameter Description Required level
O – "Organization" Parameters
O-1
MANDATE
Description: The PSIRT’s assignment as derived from upper management. 3
O-2
CONSTITUENCY
Description: Who the PSIRT functions are aimed at CONSTITUENCY the "clients" of the CSIRT. 3
O-3
AUTHORITY
Description: What the PSIRT can do towards their constituency in order to accomplish their role. 3
O-4
RESPONSIBILITY
Description: What the PSIRT is expected to do towards their constituency in order to accomplish their role. 3
O-5
SERVICE DESCRIPTION
Description: Describes what the PSIRT service is and how to reach it. Minimum requirement: Contains the PSIRT contact information, service windows, concise description of the PSIRT services offered and the PSIRT’s policy on information handling and disclosure. 3
O-10
ORGANIZATIONALFRAMEWORK
Description: Fits O-1 to O-9 together in a coherent framework document serving as the controlling document for the PSIRT. Minimum requirement: Describes the PSIRT’s mission and parameters O-1 to O-9.
note: for FIRST application, change "O-1 to O-9" into "O-1 to O-5"
3
H – "Human" Parameters
H-1
CODE OF CONDUCT / PRACTICE / ETHICS
Description: A set of rules or guidelines for the PSIRT members on how to behave professionally, potentially also outside work. Clarification: E.g. the FIRST Code of Ethics. Behavior outside work is relevant, because it can be expected of CSIRT members that they behave responsibly in private as well where computers and security are concerned. 2
H-2
PERSONNEL RESILIENCE
Description: How PSIRT staffing is ensured during illness, holidays, people leaving, etc. Minimum requirement: three (part-time or full-time) PSIRT members. 2
H-7
EXTERNAL NETWORKING
Description: Going out and meeting other CSIRTs. Contributing to the CSIRT/PSIRT system when feasible. 2
P – "Processes" Parameters
P-1
ESCALATION TO GOVERNANCE
LEVEL Description: Process of escalation to upper management for PSIRTs who are a part of the same host organization as their constituency. For external constituencies: escalation to governance levels of constituents. 3
P-11
SECURE INFORMATION HANDLING
PROCESS Description: Describes how the PSIRT handles confidential incident reports and/or information. Also has bearing on local legal requirements. Clarification: it is advised that this process explicitly supports the use of TLP, the Traffic Light Protocol. 2

Annex 4 – Sponsor Letter Template

The below text may be included in both Sponsor Letters, and as inspiration for such letters.

When completed, the Sponsor Letter(s) should be converted into a PDF format, on letterhead (recommended), signed and uploaded to the application on the portal. Primary and Secondary Sponsor each sign their own Sponsor Letter.

I [sponsor] attest that the Candidate satisfies the minimum requirements for FIRST membership.
I [sponsor] am familiar with the way the Candidate operates.
I [sponsor] have met the Candidate and presented FIRST and answered their questions.
I [sponsor] have had working interaction with the Candidate.
I [sponsor] have verified the required subset of SIM3 parameters with the Candidate and verified that they meet the mandatory score for those parameters.
I [sponsor] have explained the confidentiality of the information that is passed within FIRST and the Candidate agrees to comply with that. TLP and the FIRST Code of Ethics were also discussed.

I [sponsor] trust that the Candidate will be a good contributor to the FIRST vision and mission.

Any other comments/recommendations:

Sponsor (team name)
Sponsor (contact name)
Title/function
Date
Signature

Annex 5 - Terms and Definitions

Annex 6 – Version History

1. Version history

This document was originally produced by the CERT Program at the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University and by the Cisco Systems PSIRT

Annex 7 – Site Visit Report Template

Please note, this is a sample template for a site visit report. The sponsors can modify as needed or note if any sections of the template or not applicable to the applying team and why.

Annex 8 - Application Process Steps, Stakeholders and estimated duration

A high-level view on the process with the steps, stakeholders, and estimated duration is presented below:

M
Mandatory
   R
Recipient
   (o)
Optional
Steps Candidate Primary Sponsor Secondary Sponsor FIRST Secretariat FIRST MC Mentor FIRST Board FIRST Community Estimated Duration
A team wishes to become a FIRST Full Member and completes the Membership Interest Form 1 M
Candidate must find two FIRST full members who agree to act as Sponsors 2 M M M (o) (o) (o) 1m Estimated duration: 5 months
Candidate schedules the site visit with their primary sponsor 3 M (o) (o) 1w
Candidate performs a SIM3 self-assessment 4 M (o) 1w
Primary Sponsor conducts Site Visit 5 M M (o) 1d
Candidate completes the Full Member Application Form 6 M (o) (o) (o) 1m
Sponsors review candidacy 7 M (o) 1w
Sponsors write supporting letters and Site Visit report 8 M M 1w
All materials are submitted for review 9 M R (o) 1d
Candidacy compliance check by the FIRST Secretariat 10 M 1m
Membership Committee review 11 M 2w
Review by Membership and Board 12 M (o) 2w
Application feedback and reapplication (if needed) 13 (o) (o) (o) (o) 2m
FIRST Board votes on application 14 M 1m
Notification 15 M M M M R 1w