What is an Incident Response Plan?
An incident response plan is an organized approach to addressing the aftermath of a security
breach or cyber-attack. Certain industries, like construction, medical or financial institutions,
absolutely should have one.
But even if you don’t have a lot of sensitive information, it’s best to have SOME idea of what you
would do if a cyber-attack locked all your files or stole confidential information.
What to Include in an Incident Response Plan
In the event of a data breach, swift and decisive action is essential to mitigate reputational damage and legal liabilities.
Things to consider when you’re planning:
• Physical access to your building(s) – Outline protocols for managing access credentials, securing work areas, and promptly reporting any suspicious activities
• What to do with lost or stolen mobile devices – Detail procedures for remotely wiping data, changing access credentials, and notifying relevant stakeholders to mitigate potential risks
• PCI (payment card industry) compliance requirements – Address how you’ll maintain PCI compliance in the event of a security breach, including steps for containing the incident, assessing impacts on payment systems, and notifying relevant parties as per regulatory obligations
• Data-breach incident response – Your incident response plan should delineate procedures for identifying and containing breaches, conducting forensic investigations, and transparently communicating with affected parties
• Threat monitoring – Cyber threats are ever-evolving. Incorporate regular security assessments, employee training initiatives, and partnerships with cybersecurity experts to fortify your defenses and enhance resilience against cyber-attacks
We are here to help! Give us a call and we’ll be glad to help you put together a cyber incident response plan.
If you find the high-level concepts in this article unclear and would like a deeper understanding, we invite you to schedule a one-on-one discussion with Charles Hammett directly. Use this link: https://www.hammett-tech.com/booking/ to schedule a meeting. Our team regularly shares similar insights every week, emphasizing technology and cybersecurity tailored for business leaders