Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST)

FIRST held its 35th annual conference in Montreal, Canada and virtually in June 2023. More than 795 security professionals from over 74 countries attended sessions on industry best practices, reviews of incident handling, and tools and training, and heard keynotes from industry recognized experts.

FIRST provides several online services supporting members in handling security incidents more efficiently. This includes a website containing verified contact information, best practices, and much more information. Operational information is made available through electronic interfaces to be incorporated directly into members' tools. FIRST has over 681 member teams located in more than 106 countries. Member teams include large vendors, national certs, telcos, research institutes, and many more. FIRST Hosts International Standards like the common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS).

Besides the annual conference, FIRST and its members organize in-person events around the globe which typically have a regional or topical focus. These events cater to a more specialized or local audience. Community driven, these events help participants to force valuable connections which are invaluable during a security incident. Participants discuss security-related technical topics, tools as well as best practice. Many of the events co-host training courses in the area of incident response. In 2023, there were 10 in-person regional events, some with virtual participation.