I was hacked - now what?

A cyber attack can be a devastating event for any business, leading to loss of sensitive information, financial losses, and damage to the company's reputation. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of having a plan in place to respond to a cyber attack and the key steps you should take, including hiring a firm to help you every step of the way and having a firm on retainer in case you get hacked.

The first step you should take if your business is hacked is to contain the attack. This means isolating the affected systems and networks to prevent the attacker from gaining further access to your systems. This can be done by disconnecting the affected systems from the internet, shutting down servers, and unplugging network cables. It's important to have a response plan in place and to have a firm on retainer that can assist you in taking these immediate actions. This will help to minimize the impact of the attack and prevent further damage.

The next step is to assess the extent of the damage. This includes determining what information has been accessed or stolen, how the attacker gained access to your systems, and what systems and networks were affected. To do this, you should consider hiring a reputable forensic investigator or incident response firm to conduct a thorough investigation. These firms have specialized knowledge and expertise in identifying and assessing cyber attacks, and they can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the response process.

Once the extent of the damage has been assessed, it's important to take steps to restore the affected systems and networks. This includes reinstalling software, patching vulnerabilities, and restoring any lost or stolen data. You should also review your security protocols and make any necessary changes to prevent future attacks. Having a firm on retainer that specializes in incident response and remediation can assist you in taking these steps and ensure that your systems are restored to a secure state.

One of the most important steps to take after a cyber attack is to notify affected individuals and any relevant regulatory authorities. This is particularly important if sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or personal information, has been accessed or stolen. A incident response firm can assist you in identifying and notifying affected individuals, as well as providing guidance on compliance with regulations and industry standards.

In addition to these steps, it's important to have a plan in place to minimize the risk of a cyber attack. This includes implementing robust security protocols, regularly updating software and systems, and providing training for employees on how to identify and respond to cyber threats. A cybersecurity firm can assist you in implementing these measures and ensure that your systems are secure.

You should also consider purchasing cybersecurity insurance. Cybersecurity insurance provides financial protection for businesses in the event of a cyber attack, covering the costs associated with responding to the attack, such as the cost of hiring a forensic investigator, the cost of notifying affected individuals, and the cost of restoring lost data.

Lastly, it's important to remember that cyber attacks can happen to any business. It's not a matter of if, but when. Therefore, it's essential to be prepared and have a plan in place to minimize the risk of a cyber attack and respond to one if it occurs. Having a firm on retainer that specializes in incident response, remediation and cybersecurity can ensure that you have the necessary support and expertise to minimize the impact of a cyber attack on your business. Regularly reviewing and updating your cybersecurity measures and having a plan in place can help you to minimize the impact of a cyber attack on your business.