No matter where you work, what your job is, or the role you play in your organization, Incident Response Plans are a critical aspect of your day-to-day cybersecurity and cyber-compliance.

In an era where digital attacks are merely a matter of when, not if, we need to be prepared for whatever digital threats come our way. Bad actors want to steal the confidential data under our care to sell on the Dark Web.

Protecting against cyber threats, however, isn’t merely a matter of getting the most advanced and expensive tools. Good Incident Response understands the impact of a vigilant team that knows exactly what to look for. Ultimately, security is a collaboration between humans and technology, working in tandem to keep data safe.

The Role of Technology

Unfortunately, many organizations are still not ready to handle cyber incidents. Only 14% report being fully prepared with tested response plans, while 35% are only moderately prepared, and 15% admit they are completely unprepared for a serious attack.

While you may not have a say in the Incident Response (IR) systems keeping your work data safe, you do control the security practices of your home and other personal networks. It’s important to have a robust, automated response mechanism for detecting and reporting potential threats.

A good IR system will….

• Kickstart Response Plans: These systems automatically initiate your company’s predefined procedures when a threat is detected.
• Adapt Over Time: With machine learning capabilities, IR tools grow smarter with every new piece of data put into it. This allows your systems to learn and adapt to evolving threats and defensive protocols.
• Log Activity in Detail: They document any and every suspicious activity on the network, thereby creating a goldmine of data for audits, post-incident analysis, and reports.

How to Recognize and Report a Cyber Threat

While the technology handles detection and response, employees are equally critical in spotting and escalating potential issues. Every organization should empower its team to recognize and report suspicious activity effectively! If you don’t know the particulars of your Incident Response Plan, now is a good time to ask before a cyberattack strikes.

Every company’s Incident Response Plan may vary slightly, but the steps typically follow this general structure:

1. Recognize the Signs of an Incident

Be aware of red flags that could indicate a security breach, including…

• Suspicious emails or links.
• Unusual system behavior, such as pop-ups, locked files, or unexpected shutdowns.
• Unauthorized access or missing files.
• Lost or stolen devices.

2. Immediately Report the Incident

If you suspect an issue, act fast.

• Contact the right team: Notify your IT helpdesk, security team, or manager.
• Use the official reporting channel: Follow your company’s preferred method, whether it’s email, a hotline, or a ticketing system.
• Share key details:
  • What did you observe?
  • When did it happen?
  • Did you take any actions to address it?

3. Contain the Threat (If Safe to Do So)

If it’s within your ability and safe to proceed, take steps to limit the impact.

• Disconnect your device from the network (unplug the Ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi).
• Avoid interacting further with the infected system.
• Secure affected devices or physical areas to prevent further damage.

4. Follow Additional Instructions

Once the security team takes over, wait for their guidance before taking further action. Avoid discussing the incident with anyone outside the organization unless instructed otherwise.

Reporting Over Fixing: A Key Mindset

If all this seems overwhelming, just remember: Employees are not expected to solve security incidents themselves. The priority should always be reporting the issue immediately rather than attempting to fix it. Escalation ensures that the right experts can act swiftly, minimizing potential damage.

In cybersecurity, vigilance is everyone’s responsibility. By combining advanced tools with informed, alert employees, organizations create a robust defense against threats. Together, we can all keep our personal and professional data much safer!