An incident response plan is essentially a set of instructions designed to address various cybersecurity threats, such as data loss, service outages, cyber crimes and other events that could negatively impact normal business operations. It generally consists of six main phases that outline important terms that need to be addressed in the event of an incident.
The first and most important step in creating an incident response plan is the preparation phase. To ensure that their business remains protected, it is important for employers to properly train all employees regarding their roles in the plan. Each employee should know and understand their responsibilities in the event of a data breach or other cybersecurity incident. Employers should also take the initiative to create incident response drill scenarios and undergo mock data breaches. Finally, employers must ensure that all aspects of their plan are fully funded in advance to allow for a smooth and rapid recovery following a cyberattack.
When cybersecurity incidents occur, many businesses make the mistake of simply wiping their systems clean of all data. This not only eliminates important evidence that could be used to deter future cybersecurity incidents, but it also causes delays which can extend the time needed for businesses to return to normal operations. The purpose of containment is to stop the effects of an incident before it can cause further damage, without losing any compromised data forever. Having a backup system in place is only the first step. Businesses should also review their remote access protocols, harden their passwords, review their multi-factor authentication and confirm that all administrative access credentials are secure.
While containing the incident at hand is an important step in an incident response plan, businesses must also determine the cause of the breach. If a business fails to determine the root cause, there is a high chance that the incident could occur again in the future. Eradication involves a series of strategies, such as patching systems, removing malware and applying updates. This can be accomplished by employees or performed by a reputable third-party. Once the cause of the incident has been eliminated, businesses can move onto the next phase of the plan.
Once an incident response plan has been created, the final steps involve the review and implementation of the plan. The sooner that an incident response plan is implemented, the safer a business will be against certain cyber threats. It is always a good idea to seek the expertise of a risk management firm experienced in cyber risks. Having a risk management consulting team can be used to plan and implement solutions for all types of cybersecurity issues.
Businesses in all industries are susceptible to cyber-attacks. It is important for companies to be prepared for if and when these incidents occur by having a thorough incident response plan in place. For more information or for help creating an incident response plan, reach out to Hartman Executive Advisors.