It’s Not If, It’s When

Cybersecurity incidents are inevitable. Whether you're a business leader, IT professional, or just someone who wants to stay informed, understanding how to respond to an attack is critical. Without a solid plan, organizations waste valuable time scrambling in confusion, worsening the damage. This article explores the difference between businesses that have an incident response plan and those that don’t—and why preparation is the key to survival.

In cybersecurity, you’re always fighting your own shadow—until you realize you need help.

Aleksei Zjabkin (Head of GSOC, NEVERHACK)

Scenario 1: No Incident Response Plan – Chaos Unfolds

Imagine this: It’s Friday night, and an IT administrator notices that an antivirus system has been disabled. Thinking it’s a minor glitch, he decides to check it on Monday. But by Monday morning, the company’s entire system is down—email, operations, financial transactions, everything.

The IT team scrambles, wasting critical hours trying to decrypt ransomware that simply won’t budge. Employees switch to WhatsApp to communicate, customers are left in the dark, and leadership is in denial. The first reaction? Fix it immediately! But without an incident response plan, they don’t even know where to start.

Common Pitfalls in an Unprepared Organization

1. Denial & Delayed Response: Many organizations waste time believing they can fix the issue themselves.
2. Lack of Visibility: If there are no logs, tracking the attacker’s entry point is nearly impossible.
3. Unprotected Backups: If backups aren’t stored offline, they’re likely encrypted by the attacker.
4. No Defined Roles: Without clear responsibilities, employees panic and work in silos.
5. Regulatory & Reputation Damage: Failing to notify authorities and customers promptly can result in huge fines and lost trust.

Scenario 2: Having an Incident Response Plan – Control Amid Crisis

Now, let’s flip the script. A company with an incident response plan experiences the same cyberattack—but this time, they know exactly what to do.

Step 1: Containment

1. The IT team immediately isolates affected systems, preventing further spread.
2. Firewalls and network access are locked down.

Step 2: Identification and Assessment

1. Security teams use forensic tools to determine the attack vector.
2. Cybersecurity partners are engaged within minutes, not days.

Step 3: Eradication and Recovery

1. Clean backups are restored, and systems are rebuilt.
2. Compliance teams notify regulators and affected customers, maintaining transparency.

Key Benefits of an Incident Response Plan

1. Faster Recovery – Response teams know their roles, reducing downtime.
2. Minimized Financial Loss – Swift action prevents prolonged operational disruption.
3. Maintained Reputation – Proactive communication reassures stakeholders.
4. Legal Compliance – Proper reporting avoids penalties.

How to Build an Effective Incident Response Plan

A well-structured incident response plan is the difference between swift recovery and total operational chaos after a cyberattack. When an incident occurs, time is of the essence—organizations must act quickly to contain the damage, identify the root cause, and restore operations with minimal disruption.

Without a clear plan, teams waste valuable hours scrambling for solutions, often worsening the situation. A strong response strategy ensures that roles are defined, actions are immediate, and recovery is efficient. Below are the key steps every business should take to build an incident response plan that works when it matters most.

1. Assemble a Response Team

A strong Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) should include:

1. Crisis Manager – Oversees the response process.
2. Forensic Analysts – Investigate the attack and its origin.
3. IT and Security Engineers – Implement containment measures.
4. Legal and Compliance Officers – Handle reporting obligations.

2. Establish a Clear Chain of Command

Every employee should know who to contact and what steps to take during an incident. Quick decisions mean faster containment.

3. Secure and Test Your Backups

Ensure backups are:

1. Stored offline
2. Regularly tested for integrity
3. Kept in multiple locations

4. Simulate Attacks and Train Employees

1. Conduct regular cyber drills to ensure readiness.
2. Train employees to recognize phishing and social engineering attacks.
3. Teach leadership how to communicate during a crisis.

5. Implement Real-Time Monitoring and Detection

Use Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to detect threats early. The sooner an attack is spotted, the less damage it causes.

The Cost of Unpreparedness

The financial and operational consequences of a cyberattack can be devastating, especially for organizations that lack a proper incident response plan. According to industry reports, companies without a structured response strategy suffer an average loss of $4.35 million per breach. These costs include not only direct financial losses but also regulatory fines, legal fees, reputational damage, and the expense of restoring compromised systems.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the stakes are even higher. Studies show that 60% of small businesses close within six months of a cyberattack. Unlike large enterprises with dedicated security teams and financial buffers, smaller organizations often struggle to recover from prolonged downtime, lost customer trust, and the expenses associated with incident recovery. In many cases, the impact of a cyber incident is simply too great to overcome.

What makes matters worse is that suffering one attack increases the likelihood of being targeted again. Businesses hit once are highly likely to experience another attack within six months. Cybercriminals recognize vulnerable targets and often share or sell compromised credentials and system vulnerabilities on the dark web, leading to repeat attacks. If an organization does not take immediate action to strengthen its defenses, it remains an easy target.

In today’s threat landscape, being unprepared is not an option. Cyber incidents are no longer a distant possibility; they are an inevitability. The real question is not if an attack will happen but when. Organizations that fail to prepare put themselves at significant risk of financial ruin, operational collapse, and irreparable damage to their reputation. The only way to mitigate these risks is to have a well-defined, tested, and continuously updated incident response plan.

Will your company be ready when the attack comes?

FAQs on Incident Response

1. How often should we test our incident response plan?

Ideally, companies should conduct cyber drills every 6-12 months.

1. What’s the first thing we should do when a cyberattack happens?

Containment. Immediately isolate affected systems to prevent further spread.

1. Do small businesses really need an incident response plan?

Yes. Small businesses are prime targets because they often lack strong defenses.

1. Should we pay the ransom if hit by ransomware?

No. Paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee data recovery and can make you a repeat target.