How to Deal with the Effects of a Cyber-Attack

The internet is already an integral part of every business process. However, the many benefits of using the World Wide Web also come with potential risks. Many companies today know all too well the prevalence of cyber-attacks and the damage they can create to an organisation. Unfortunately, despite the warnings from experts, a majority of large and small companies are not prepared to face these kinds of attacks, thinking that they are not a target.

The reality is, every organisation is a target for some type of internet threat. In 2015 alone, there were more than 1 million attacks instigated daily. It is clear that the danger lurks in every access to the internet. But how do you protect the interests of your organisation and deal with a possible cyber-attack?

Consider the worst case scenario 

When your company falls victim to a cyber-attack, it is almost impossible to start dealing with the consequences after it happens. That’s why every company needs a crisis management plan specifically for cyber-crimes. A2 Security Risk Management is an example of a service that specialises in providing companies with a contingency plan to prevent or deal with similar problems.

Designate a response team 

Responding to an attack as soon as possible is essential in mitigating the damage. Every department within the company should have a designated responsible individual who will be put into action after realising that there is an imminent threat. Each of these individuals must have clear responsibilities and have undergone extensive briefing on their response activities after a cyber-attack.

Some examples include a specialist tasked to protect essential data, technicians who will try to find the source of the threat, and employees assigned to face the public and customers who may have been affected by the threat.

Identifying the threat 

There are different types of cyber-attacks instigated by hackers today. Knowing what kind of attack your company is facing will help with finding out its source, the scope, as well as the possible effects on the entire organisation.

Different types of cyber-attacks require specific action plans. If the attack came from the inside, you’ll need to identify how much access the employee had as well as the intention of the attack so that you can come up with the right steps for controlling the damage and addressing the attacker.

Report the incident to the authorities 

Getting help from local authorities is another critical step in managing the impact of cyber-attacks. An official record of the incident will help the company in case there will be litigation in the future. There are several agencies responsible for monitoring and handling these incidents, and they can help your company contain the impact of the attack as well as conduct an investigation.

Repair stakeholder relationships 

In most cyber-attacks, it is often the information of customers and clients which the attacker is after. Keeping customers informed and aware of the incident as well as what is being done to resolve it will help them remain confident in your company. If you keep customers out of the loop, they might end up spreading false information through social media channels which could hurt the company further.

 

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