SayPro Cybersecurity Response Protocol: Remediation and Escalation of Critical Vulnerabilities.

Department:

SayPro Websites and Apps Office
Framework Reference: SCMR-6 – SayPro Monthly Malware Scanning and Reporting
Policy Alignment: SayPro IT & Cybersecurity Policy 2025

1. Objective

This document outlines the standard operating procedure (SOP) for cleaning, patching, or escalating critical vulnerabilities discovered during routine or ad-hoc scans. These actions are essential to prevent exploitation, ensure operational continuity, and protect SayPro’s data, users, and systems from high-risk security threats.

2. Definition of Critical Vulnerabilities

A critical vulnerability is any flaw or weakness in SayPro’s digital systems that, if exploited, could result in:

• Full or partial system compromise
• Data breach or exfiltration
• Unauthorized administrative access
• Downtime of critical platforms
• Legal or regulatory non-compliance

Examples include:

• Zero-day exploits
• Remote code execution vulnerabilities
• SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS) in public-facing portals
• Unpatched system services with known CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures)
• Unsecured admin dashboards or exposed credentials

3. Immediate Actions on Detection

Step 1: Isolation and Containment

• Immediately isolate affected systems from the network to prevent lateral spread or exploitation.
• Disable impacted services or features temporarily (e.g., user registration, admin access).
• Initiate a system backup before remediation.

Step 2: Initial Documentation

• Log the vulnerability in the SayPro Cyber Threat Log (CTL) with:
  • Date/time of detection
  • Detection source/tool
  • Affected system(s) and access points
  • Classification (Critical)
  • Technician responsible for handling

4. Cleaning and Patching Process

Step 3: Cleaning (Malware or Code Exploits)

• Remove any malicious scripts, rogue files, or compromised plugins.
• Reinstall clean copies of affected system components.
• Restore the system from secure backups only if integrity is verified.
• Perform a secondary full malware scan to confirm no residual threats.

Step 4: Patching (System or Software Vulnerabilities)

• Identify the appropriate security patch or version update from the vendor or internal development team.
• Validate patch compatibility in a staging/test environment.
• Apply the patch to production under change management protocols.
• Restart and monitor system behavior post-patch.

All patching must be documented in the Patch Management Log with version numbers, patch source, and results.

5. Escalation Protocol

If the vulnerability:

• Cannot be resolved within 6 hours
• Affects more than one system or service
• Involves data leakage or user accounts
• Requires third-party assistance (e.g., hosting provider, software vendor)

Then the incident must be escalated to:

Escalation must be supported by:

• CTL logs
• Screenshots or exploit traces
• Technical assessment summary
• Action history

6. Communication and Reporting

• Notify relevant internal stakeholders (Web Team, LMS Admins, Marketing Royalty).
• If user data or public systems are affected, prepare an incident response report with communication guidelines.
• Submit a Post-Incident Report within 48 hours, including:
  • Root cause analysis
  • Timeline of events
  • Systems impacted
  • Actions taken
  • Preventative measures

7. Compliance and Audit Trail

• All activities related to vulnerability remediation must be:
  • Time-stamped and logged
  • Auditable for compliance purposes (POPIA, GDPR, internal audit)
  • Retained for a minimum of 36 months
• Ensure changes align with SayPro’s:
  • Change Management Policy
  • Data Protection and Backup Policy
  • Business Continuity Plan

8. Continuous Improvement

Following each critical vulnerability incident:

• Conduct a review meeting with IT, cybersecurity, and system owners
• Update threat detection tools and configurations
• Revise awareness materials or SOPs if human error contributed to the issue
• Apply lessons learned to improve SayPro’s digital resilience

Conclusion

SayPro’s swift and structured approach to handling critical vulnerabilities ensures that the organization remains secure, compliant, and trusted. By cleaning threats, applying patches promptly, and escalating issues responsibly, SayPro protects its users, systems, and data with precision and professionalism.