Lost & Stolen Device Validation

1. Prerequisites

• Report of a lost, misplaced, or stolen device
• Device identifier available:
  • Hostname
  • Serial number
  • Asset tag
  • Mobile device identifier
• User information available
• Access to asset inventory
• Access to MDM or endpoint management platform
• Access to EDR platform
• Access to Identity Provider (IdP)
• Access to SIEM
• Incident ticket created

2. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Collect Initial Incident Information

   • Obtain:
     • Reporting user
     • Device type
     • Asset identifier
     • Date and time last seen
     • Last known location
     • Circumstances of loss or theft
   • Record all details in the incident ticket.

2. Validate Asset Ownership

   • Confirm:
     • Device is organisationally owned or managed
     • Assigned user
     • Business unit
     • Asset status
   • Verify information against the asset inventory.

3. Determine Device Classification

   • Identify whether the asset is:
     • Laptop
     • Desktop
     • Mobile phone
     • Tablet
     • Removable media
     • Other managed device
   • Document the device classification.

4. Review Device Management Status

   • Determine whether the device:
     • Is enrolled in MDM
     • Is enrolled in EDR
     • Has full disk encryption enabled
     • Is actively reporting telemetry
     • Has remote lock or wipe capability
   • Document all security controls currently applied.

5. Identify Last Known Device Activity

   • Review:
     • MDM telemetry
     • EDR telemetry
     • Authentication logs
     • VPN logs
     • Network activity
   • Determine:
     • Last check-in time
     • Last known IP address
     • Last known geographic location
     • Last authenticated user

6. Assess Loss vs Theft Indicators

   • Determine whether available evidence suggests:
     • Misplacement
     • Accidental loss
     • Theft
     • Unauthorised possession
   • Document observations and supporting evidence.

7. Review Recent Authentication Activity

   • Review:
     • Successful logins
     • Failed logins
     • MFA events
     • Session activity
     • Geographic anomalies
   • Identify any indicators of unauthorised use.

8. Assess Preliminary Risk

   • Consider:
     • Device encryption status
     • Privileged access assigned to the user
     • Access to sensitive systems
     • Access to regulated data
     • Device management status
     • Evidence of unauthorised activity
   • Assign a preliminary incident severity.

9. Determine Required Response Actions

   • Determine whether the incident requires:
     • Device Security Posture Assessment
     • Device Data Exposure Assessment
     • Account containment
     • Session revocation
     • Remote lock
     • Remote wipe
     • Escalation to Physical Security
   • Document recommended next actions.

10. Escalate and Hand Off

    • Provide findings to the Incident Commander and Technical Lead.
    • Update incident severity if required.
    • Escalate to:
      • Analysis activities
      • Containment activities
      • Physical Security investigation (if applicable)
    • Update the incident record with all findings.

3. Post-Action

• Ensure all device identifiers are documented.
• Ensure all asset ownership information is recorded.
• Preserve relevant authentication and device telemetry.
• Document risk assessment findings and supporting evidence.
• Attach all validation findings to the incident record.
• Ensure required analysis and containment activities have been initiated.
• Participate in subsequent investigation activities as required.

Contributor

Vishal Thakur GitHub: https://github.com/malienist

Contributed to the Arcana Incident Response Documentation Framework.