Field Manual for Cyber Incident Handling and Response

Cybersecurity incidents aren't just technical events — they are high-stakes leadership challenges. From ransomware attacks that paralyze city governments to data breaches that cripple global enterprises, leaders today must be prepared to act decisively when every second counts.

Field Manual for Cyber Incident Handling and Response is a hands-on, executive-ready guide designed to help organizations respond to cyber crises with clarity, precision, and confidence. Written by seasoned cybersecurity professionals who've stood on the front lines of major incidents — from war zones to Fortune 100 networks — this manual goes beyond theory and into action.

This book equips leaders and their teams with:

A complete incident response lifecycle framework tailored to real-world crises.

Battle-tested playbooks for ransomware, phishing, insider threats, and more.

Visual workflows, templates, checklists, and escalation matrices that reduce chaos and confusion.

Guidance on legal, regulatory, and public relations considerations before, during, and after an incident.

Lessons from the field on what works, what fails, and how to communicate under pressure.

Insights for both public sector and private sector leaders, bridging government and business perspectives.

With a mission to eliminate panic and prevent costly missteps, the Field Manual is both a trusted desk reference and a go-to companion in the heat of a crisis. Whether you're a CISO, CIO, executive, incident commander, or technical responder, this book empowers you to lead your organization from breach to recovery — and emerge stronger.

Austin Weedor and Jacob Ideji bring a powerful synergy of expertise and experience to this definitive guide on cyber incident management and response. Together, they offer a unique blend of technical acumen, strategic insight, and real-world crisis management expertise necessary to address the rapidly evolving challenges of cybersecurity.
Austin Weedor stands as a distinguished co-author, drawing on a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, adaptability, and service. From navigating the turbulence of Liberia's civil unrest and refugee camps to achieving a master's degree, Austin's path exemplifies determination. His career in the U.S. Army honed his crisis-management expertise, spanning both conventional and cyber-warfare domains. A warfighter with deep experience in handling complex security challenges, he leverages his extensive knowledge gained through the Harvard Cybersecurity Risk Management Executive program and a Master of Science in information technology to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber threats across multiple domains. Austin provides invaluable perspectives on the nuances of modern incident management. His leadership in navigating multifaceted crises underscores his role as a thought leader in the field.

Jacob Ideji complements Austin's experience with his own mastery of cybersecurity and a career marked by leadership and innovation. With more than a decade of experience, including pivotal roles at Cisco Systems Inc. and as the head of cybersecurity practice at E-Panzer, Jacob has earned acclaim as a technical authority and strategic visionary. His early entrepreneurial experience managing a cybercafé in Lagos, Nigeria, during the rise of online fraud shaped his analytical prowess. Confronting the infamous Yahoo Boys honed Jacob's critical detection skills, which remain central to his innovative cybersecurity strategies. Holding an MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU), certified CISM, CEH, Cisco CCDE, and Advanced Computer Security Certificate from Stanford University. Jacob blends strategic thinking with operational expertise, making him a sought-after leader in the global cybersecurity space.
A Foundation in Innovation and Cybersecurity
The partnership between Austin and Jacob was forged in 2007 at Foxconn in Fort Worth, Texas, during the early development of the groundbreaking iPhone project, known internally as the Indigo Project. Austin contributed as a developer, while Jacob served as a senior network security engineer and architect. Their collaboration during this transformative project not only highlighted the intersection of innovation and security but also laid the groundwork for their shared mission to enhance cybersecurity practices.
Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity
Jacob advocates fervently for cybersecurity professionals to engage directly with the complexities of incident management, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience in shaping both strategic and tactical approaches. Similarly, Austin's expertise in managing crises ranging from conventional battlefields to the digital domain offers a multifaceted perspective on safeguarding against cyber threats. Their combined experience includes responding to global crises such as the WannaCry outbreak and navigating the cybersecurity implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together, Austin Weedor and Jacob Ideji present a compelling narrative and a practical framework for navigating the complexities of today's cyber threat landscape. Their collaboration provides professionals, practitioners, and organizations with the strategies and tools necessary to mitigate risks, manage incidents, and strengthen resilience in the digital age. Their shared vision empowers the next generation of cybersecurity leaders to thrive in a world of ever-changing challenges.