The responsibility for enforcing an Incident Response Policy primarily lies with the IT security team or a designated incident response manager. These individuals or teams are tasked with ensuring that the policy is followed consistently across the organization and that every incident is managed according to the established protocols.

The IT security team plays a central role in day-to-day enforcement. They monitor systems for unusual activity, initiate the incident response process when threats are detected, and guide the technical aspects of containment, eradication, and recovery. They are also responsible for maintaining and updating the policy based on evolving threats and lessons learned from past incidents.

In larger organizations, a dedicated incident response manager may oversee the entire incident response lifecycle. This person ensures coordination between departments, conducts training sessions, and leads post-incident reviews. Their leadership ensures that incidents are handled swiftly, communication remains clear, and all actions are properly documented.

Effective enforcement also requires backing from executive leadership. Leaders set the tone for prioritizing cybersecurity and ensure the necessary resources—budget, personnel, and tools—are available. Without executive support, enforcement efforts may fall short due to a lack of authority or investment.

Finally, trained staff members play a key role in successful policy enforcement. Every employee must understand their role in identifying and reporting potential threats. Regular training ensures that staff can recognize suspicious behavior and act in accordance with the policy, turning them into the first line of defense.

Enforcing an Incident Response Policy is a shared responsibility. While the IT security team or incident manager leads the effort, success depends on a combination of strong leadership and informed, engaged employees throughout the organization.