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<!doctype html><html lang="en" class="web tlp-clear" data-studio-config="eyJ4aHJDcmVkZW50aWFscyI6ZmFsc2UsInhockhlYWRlcnMiOnt9fQo="><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><title>FIRST Membership Process for Liaisons</title> <meta property="og:title" content="FIRST Membership Process for Liaisons" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.first.org/_/img/first-big-icon.png" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.first.org/membership/process-liaisons" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="FIRST — Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams" /> <meta property="fb:profile_id" content="296983660669109" /> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta property="twitter:site" content="@FIRSTdotOrg" /><meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1,maximum-scale=1.0,user-scalable=no" /><link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/1st.png" /><link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="128x128" href="/favicon.png" /><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_/web.css?20250110194732" /></head><body><header><div id="header" data-studio="CU52CV1W8g"><div id="c3" data-studio="Yu8FjCC11g"><div id="topbar"> <div class="sites right"> <ul> <li><a href="https://support.first.org" class="kb-datalist"><img src="/_/img/icon-portal_support.svg" alt="FIRST Support" title="FIRST Support" /></a></li> <li><a href="https://portal.first.org" class="button"><span class="no-tiny">Member </span>Portal</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="first-logo"> <p><a href="/"><img src="/_/img/first-org-simple-negative.svg" alt="FIRST.Org" title="FIRST" /></a></p> </div> <div class="nav"> <ul class="navbar"><li><a href="/about">About FIRST</a><ul><li><a href="/about/mission">Mission Statement</a></li><li><a href="/about/history">History</a></li><li><a href="/about/sdg">Sustainable Development Goals</a></li><li><a href="/about/organization">Organization</a><ul><li><a href="/about/organization/directors">Board 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href="/cvss/v4.0/specification-document">Specification Document</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/user-guide">User Guide</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/examples">Examples</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/faq">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4-0">CVSS v4.0 Documentation & Resources</a><ul><li><a href="/cvss/calculator/4.0">CVSS v4.0 Calculator</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/specification-document">CVSS v4.0 Specification Document</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/user-guide">CVSS v4.0 User Guide</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/examples">CVSS v4.0 Examples</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v4.0/faq">CVSS v4.0 FAQ</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3-1">CVSS v3.1 Archive</a><ul><li><a href="/cvss/calculator/3.1">CVSS v3.1 Calculator</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.1/specification-document">CVSS v3.1 Specification Document</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.1/user-guide">CVSS v3.1 User Guide</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.1/examples">CVSS v3.1 Examples</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.1/use-design">CVSS v3.1 Calculator Use & Design</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3-0">CVSS v3.0 Archive</a><ul><li><a href="/cvss/calculator/3.0">CVSS v3.0 Calculator</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.0/specification-document">CVSS v3.0 Specification Document</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.0/user-guide">CVSS v3.0 User Guide</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.0/examples">CVSS v3.0 Examples</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v3.0/use-design">CVSS v3.0 Calculator Use & Design</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2">CVSS v2 Archive</a><ul><li><a href="/cvss/v2/guide">CVSS v2 Complete Documentation</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2/history">CVSS v2 History</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2/team">CVSS-SIG team</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2/meetings">SIG Meetings</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2/faq">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2/adopters">CVSS Adopters</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v2/links">CVSS Links</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/cvss/v1">CVSS v1 Archive</a><ul><li><a href="/cvss/v1/intro">Introduction to CVSS</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v1/faq">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/v1/guide">Complete CVSS v1 Guide</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/cvss/data-representations">JSON & XML Data Representations</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/training">CVSS On-Line Training Course</a></li><li><a href="/cvss/identity">Identity & logo usage</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/csirt">CSIRT Framework Development SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cyberinsurance">Cyber Insurance SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/cyberinsurance/events">Cyber Insurance SIG Webinars</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti">Cyber Threat Intelligence SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/">Curriculum</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/introduction">Introduction</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/cti-introduction">Introduction to CTI as a General topic</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/methods-methodology">Methods and Methodology</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/pir">Priority Intelligence Requirement (PIR)</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/source-evaluation">Source Evaluation and Information Reliability</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/machine-human">Machine and Human Analysis Techniques (and Intelligence Cycle)</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/threat-modelling">Threat Modelling</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/training">Training</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/standards">Standards</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/glossary">Glossary</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/curriculum/cti-reporting/">Communicating Uncertainties in CTI Reporting</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/events/">Webinars and Online Training</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program">Building a CTI program and team</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program/program-stages">Program maturity stages</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program/stage1">CTI Maturity model - Stage 1</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program/stage2">CTI Maturity model - Stage 2</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program/stage3">CTI Maturity model - Stage 3</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program/starter-kit">Program Starter Kit</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cti/cti-program/resources">Resources and supporting materials</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/digital-safety">Digital Safety SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns">DNS Abuse SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/">Stakeholder Advice</a><ul><li><a>Detection</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/cache-poisoning">Cache Poisoning</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/dga">DGA Domains</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/dns-as-a-vector-for-dos">DNS As a Vector for DoS</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/dns-rebinding">DNS Rebinding</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/dns-server-compromise">DNS Server Compromise</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/dos-against-the-dns">DoS Against the DNS</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/domain-name-compromise">Domain Name Compromise</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/lame-delegations">Lame Delegations</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/local-resolver-hijacking">Local Resolver Hijacking</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/on-path-dns-attack">On-path DNS Attack</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/stakeholder-advice/detection/stub-resolver-hijacking">Stub Resolver Hijacking</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/policies">Code of Conduct & Other Policies</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/dns/dns-abuse-examples">Examples of DNS Abuse</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/ethics">Ethics SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/ethics/ethics-first">Ethics for Incident Response Teams</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/epss/">Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)</a><ul><li><a href="/epss/model">The EPSS Model</a></li><li><a href="/epss/data_stats">Data and Statistics</a></li><li><a href="/epss/user-guide">User Guide</a></li><li><a href="/epss/research">EPSS Research and Presentations</a></li><li><a href="/epss/faq">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li><li><a href="/epss/who_is_using">Who is using EPSS?</a></li><li><a href="/epss/epss_tools">Open-source EPSS Tools</a></li><li><a href="/epss/api">API</a></li><li><a href="/epss/papers">Related Exploit Research</a></li><li><a>Blog</a><ul><li><a href="/epss/articles/prob_percentile_bins">Understanding EPSS Probabilities and Percentiles</a></li><li><a href="/epss/articles/log4shell">Log4Shell Use Case</a></li><li><a href="/epss/articles/estimating_old_cvss">Estimating CVSS v3 Scores for 100,000 Older Vulnerabilities</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/epss/partners">Data Partners</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/msr/">FIRST Multi-Stakeholder Ransomware SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/hfs/">Human Factors in Security SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/ics">Industrial Control Systems SIG (ICS-SIG)</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/iep">Information Exchange Policy SIG (IEP-SIG)</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/information-sharing">Information Sharing SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/information-sharing/misp">Malware Information Sharing Platform</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/le">Law Enforcement SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/malware">Malware Analysis SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/malware/ma-framework">Malware Analysis Framework</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/malware/ma-framework/malwaretools">Malware Analysis Tools</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/metrics">Metrics SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/metrics/events">Metrics SIG Webinars</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/netsec/">NETSEC SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/passive-dns">Passive DNS Exchange</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/policy">Policy SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/psirt">PSIRT SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/red-team">Red Team SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/cpg">Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/ctf">Security Lounge SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/tic/">Threat Intel Coalition SIG</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/tic/membership-rules">Membership Requirements and Veto Rules</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/tlp">Traffic Light Protocol (TLP-SIG)</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/transport">Transportation and Mobility SIG</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/vulnerability-coordination">Vulnerability Coordination</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/vulnerability-coordination/multiparty">Multi-Party Vulnerability Coordination and Disclosure</a></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/vulnerability-coordination/multiparty/guidelines">Guidelines and Practices for Multi-Party Vulnerability Coordination and Disclosure</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/vrdx">Vulnerability Reporting and Data eXchange SIG (VRDX-SIG)</a><ul><li><a href="/global/sigs/vrdx/vdb-catalog">Vulnerability Database Catalog</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/wof">Women of FIRST</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/governance">Internet Governance</a></li><li><a href="/global/irt-database">IR Database</a></li><li><a href="/global/fellowship">Fellowship Program</a><ul><li><a href="https://portal.first.org/fellowship">Application Form</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/mentorship">Mentorship Program</a></li><li><a href="/hof">IR Hall of Fame</a><ul><li><a href="/hof/inductees">Hall of Fame Inductees</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/victim-notification">Victim Notification</a></li><li><a href="/volunteers/">Volunteers at FIRST</a><ul><li><a href="/volunteers/list">FIRST Volunteers</a></li><li><a href="/volunteers/participation">Volunteer Contribution Record</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#new">Previous Activities</a><ul><li><a href="/global/practices">Best Practices Contest</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li><a href="/standards">Standards & Publications</a><ul><li><a href="/standards">Standards</a><ul><li><a href="/cvss">Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS-SIG)</a></li><li><a href="/tlp">Traffic Light Protocol (TLP)</a><ul><li><a href="/tlp/use-cases">TLP Use Cases</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/standards/frameworks/">Service Frameworks</a><ul><li><a href="/standards/frameworks/csirts">CSIRT Services Framework</a></li><li><a href="/standards/frameworks/psirts">PSIRT Services Framework</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/iep">Information Exchange Policy (IEP)</a><ul><li><a href="/iep/iep_framework_2_0">IEP 2.0 Framework</a></li><li><a href="/iep/iep-json-2_0">IEP 2.0 JSON Specification</a></li><li><a href="/iep/iep-polices">Standard IEP Policies</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.first.org/iep/2.0/first-tlp-iep.iepj">IEP TLP Policy File</a></li><li><a href="https://www.first.org/iep/2.0/first-unknown-iep.iepj">IEP Unknown Policy File</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/iep/iep_v1_0">IEP 1.0 Archive</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/global/sigs/passive-dns">Passive DNS Exchange</a></li><li><a href="/epss">Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/resources/papers">Publications</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="/events">Events</a></li><li><a href="/education">Education</a><ul><li><a href="/education/first-training">FIRST Training</a><ul><li><a href="/education/trainings">Training Courses</a></li><li><a href="/education/trainers">FIRST Trainers</a></li></ul></li></ul></li><li><a href="/blog">Blog</a></li></ul> </div> </div> <div id="home-buttons"> <p><a href="/join" data-title="Join"><img alt="Join" src="/_/img/icon-join.svg"><span class="tt-join">Join<span>Details about FIRST membership and joining as a full member or liaison.</span></span></a> <a href="/learn" data-title="Learn"><img alt="Learn" src="/_/img/icon-learn.svg"><span class="tt-learn">Learn<span>Training and workshop opportunities, and details about the FIRST learning platform.</span></span></a> <a href="/participate" data-title="Participate"><img alt="Participate" src="/_/img/icon-participate.svg"><span class="tt-participate">Participate<span>Read about upcoming events, SIGs, and know what is going on.</span></span></a></p> </div></div></div></header><div id="body" data-studio="CU52CV1W8g"><div id="c1" data-studio="Yu8FjCC11g" class="data-preview toc-h2 toc-h3 toc-h4 center-image"><h1 id="FIRST-Membership-Process-for-Liaisons">FIRST Membership Process for Liaisons</h1> <p><strong><em>Version: 2.0, October 2024</em></strong><br /> <em>Also available in</em> <a href="FIRST_Membership_Process-Liaisons-v2.pdf"><em>PDF</em></a>. </p> <p><img src="/_/img/membership-application-process-liaison-202411.png" alt="Membership Process For Liaison Overview" /></p> <h2 id="Overview">1. Overview</h2> <p>The following is a detailed process of becoming a FIRST Liaison Member (individuals only).</p> <p>As part of acquiring full membership, one Sponsor teams is needed to support the liaison candidate seeking to join FIRST. This document describes the application and sponsoring process. The end goal of this process is to become a member and walk the candidate through the process.</p> <h2 id="Application-and-Sponsoring-Process">2. Application and Sponsoring Process</h2> <p>The process is composed of 11 steps with a global estimated duration of 2 months but may be shorter.</p> <p>Please note that:</p> <ul> <li>Liaison membership is an individual membership and access/benefits only apply to that individual.</li> <li>A liaison can change companies/hosts and the membership remains with the liaison member.</li> <li>Throughout the process, the Sponsor is strongly advised to interact with the Candidate as needed and provide support.</li> <li>If additional guidance or technical support with the FIRST portal is needed, the Sponsor can contact the FIRST Secretariat, for further advice.</li> <li>A Candidate can change Sponsors at any time.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Step 1: An individual wishes to become a FIRST Liaison Member and requests a full (team) member submit a nomination form and letter of support.</strong><br /> It is the liaison’s responsibility to find a sponsoring team. The Candidate may review the list of current teams to find a sponsor. It is recommended that Candidate reach out to teams they have worked with or who are in their industry/region. The sponsor may be a former team if the liaison has moved on from that company. If a liaison needs a sponsor – they may consider attending a FIRST event or joining a FIRST SIG to network and meet potential sponsors. </p> <p><strong>Step 2: Sponsor fills out the Liaison Nomination Form</strong><br /> The sponsor will start the online process by completing the Liaison Nomination Form which includes their letter of support (on <a href="https://portal.first.org/application#Liaison-Sponsorship">FIRST Portal > Membership Application</a>. Sponsors have the option to highlight any potentially questionable issues. </p> <p>Once the sponsor nomination is accepted, the Sponsor and the liaison Candidate will receive an e-mail with instructions for the next step. The Candidate will be requested to create a profile for FIRST Portal. </p> <p><strong>Step 3: The Liaison candidates complete and submits the Application Form</strong><br /> All required fields of the Member Application Form should be completed. The application statement in the form replaces the need for a separate application letter from the candidate. The statement should include the reasons they want to join FIRST and the benefits they intend to bring to the FIRST community. They share this with their sponsor team.</p> <p>Information provided in the application form will be used to update the liaison profile in the FIRST Portal. By applying to FIRST, the candidate agrees to review this information annually for accuracy and provide regular updates. </p> <p><strong>Step 4: All materials are submitted for review</strong><br /> Candidate confirms the letter is uploaded on the FIRST portal and then submits the Application Form. This is the final step from the Candidate and the Sponsor.</p> <p><strong>Step 5: Candidacy compliance check by the FIRST Secretariat</strong><br /> The Secretariat checks the submitted Application Form monthly on completeness and validity of the Application package. If necessary, interaction with Candidate and Sponsor is activated.Once all is in order, the application is passed on to the Membership Committee for review.</p> <p><strong>Step 6: Membership Committee review</strong><br /> The MC reviews the application. Once the MC is confident to move forward, it recommends the FIRST Secretariat to accept the application. In case of issues with any component of the Application, the MC provides detailed feedback. In case of an issue, go to step 9.</p> <p><strong>Step 7: Review by Membership and Board</strong><br /> The FIRST Secretariat submits the application (including the MC recommendation) to the FIRST teams mailing list. If no issue is raised, FIRST Secretariat submits the application to the Board. In case of an issue, go to step 9.</p> <p><strong>Step 8: Application feedback and reapplication (if needed)</strong><br /> If any issues or objections are identified during the application process, the FIRST Secretariat takes this back to the Candidate and the Sponsor for resolution. In case Candidate and Sponsors fail to solve issues/objections, the application gets rejected, and Candidate and Sponsor are formally informed thereof. Rejected applicants have the right to re-apply, after they can convincingly explain to the FIRST Secretariat, together with their Sponsor, that the situation has changed enough to warrant a new application. If needed, the Secretariat will consult with the FIRST Membership Committee.</p> <p><strong>Step 9: FIRST Board votes on application</strong><br /> Once everything has been successfully validated, the Board votes on approval of the Candidate’s application, and this is duly noted in the minutes. If approved, proceed to step 11.</p> <p><strong>Step 10: Notification</strong><br /> FIRST Secretariat notifies the Candidate and the Sponsor of the approval and sends the "Welcome Package" to the new member. All members are notified of the success of the Application. 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