According to recent cybersecurity reports, human error remains a significant factor in data breaches. Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report indicates that the human element is the common root cause of 68% of data breaches. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) continue to be prime targets for cyberattacks. Approximately 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses. Given these persistent threats, it’s crucial for businesses to develop and maintain an Incident Response Plan to effectively address potential cybersecurity incidents.
Look at the trends that are impacting your business and determine what you want to achieve in the short and long term. When putting together your Incident Response Plan, you need to keep these goals in mind and involve every department manager as needed to ensure everyone is aligned on security priorities.
By understanding your objectives, you can evaluate your current operating processes, company architecture, and the skills available to support your business. Make it your main goal to align your company’s goals with your unique IT capabilities.
Just like your industry, technology will continue to grow and evolve over time. As part of your Incident Response Plan, anticipate which technologies are regularly updated in your environment and establish processes for recovering them in the event of a security incident.
Tracking these changes is challenging but essential, especially if they are critical to running your business operations. Your Incident Response Plan should be flexible and adaptable to enable your team to recover from any event and should be regularly tested.
Now that you’ve established your goals and requirements, it is time to evaluate your IT infrastructure. Make a list of all the hardware and software within your organization and identify any gaps in your current systems.
During this evaluation, create a map of your entire infrastructure. This ensures that you account for all network elements, including software, hardware, and applications. Include department-specific applications and technologies to ensure they’re appropriately protected from cyber threats.
Additionally, verify that your current infrastructure supports your goals and objectives. Consider whether employees find the existing systems effective and whether they align with your business priorities.
Speak with your internal and external stakeholders and involve them in the Incident Response Plan planning process. This will help you determine each department’s specific needs and roles. Take the time to also learn about any IT requirements your organization may have. By involving stakeholders, you can set up an efficient framework that supports all IT decisions.
Stakeholder involvement also fosters receptiveness to change and gives them a sense of ownership. With this buy-in, you’ll have greater support for implementing your cybersecurity strategy.
To implement your Incident Response Plan, establish an IT operating model. This model provides your organization with a comprehensive guide to follow when executing the plan. Your operating model should include your IT strategy, IT infrastructure, and IT architecture.
When developing your Incident Response Plan, ensure it includes the following:
With our multi-layered security defense, PCS can help protect your business from cyber threats. We work with you to assess your risks, remediate any severe vulnerabilities, and manage your cybersecurity defenses daily. To learn more about how we can provide comprehensive cybersecurity solutions for your business, contact PCS today.
December 31st, 2024
According to recent cybersecurity reports, human error remains a significant […]
Read ArticleNovember 13th, 2024
Third-party software can give your team cool features without the […]
Read ArticleOctober 30th, 2024
Pittsburgh, PA – As Cyber Awareness Month draws to a close, […]
Read Article
