Top 10 steps to take after a cybersecurity breach

Cyberattacks are on the rise, with UK businesses facing increasing threats. The 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 32% of UK businesses reported cyber incidents in the past year. If your organisation experiences a breach, responding quickly and effectively is crucial to minimising damage. Here’s what you need to do.

1. Identify and contain the breach

The first step is to identify the source and scope of the attack. Immediate containment prevents further damage. Disconnect compromised devices from the network, change access credentials, and restrict access to affected systems.

Using incident response services can help your organisation take swift action in containing and mitigating threats.

2. Assess the damage

Once the breach is contained, determine what data or systems were compromised. Was customer data exposed? Were critical business operations affected? This assessment will inform the next steps in your recovery plan.

Perform a thorough vulnerability assessment to understand how attackers gained access.

3. Notify affected parties

If customer or employee data has been compromised, transparency is key. Inform affected individuals promptly and provide guidance on protective measures such as changing passwords or monitoring accounts for suspicious activity.

Under GDPR regulations, businesses must report certain breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) within 72 hours.

4. Strengthen access controls

Weak passwords and poor access management are common attack vectors. Enforce strong password policies, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), and review user access permissions.

Consider using a secure password management solution to enhance authentication security.

5. Patch vulnerabilities

Many breaches exploit known software vulnerabilities. Update all operating systems, applications, and security tools. Ensure that security patches and updates are applied regularly.

Regular penetration testing can help identify vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do.

6. Conduct a forensic investigation

Understanding how and why the breach occurred is essential to preventing future incidents. Cybersecurity professionals can analyse logs, identify attack patterns, and trace the attacker’s entry point.

Using managed cybersecurity services ensures continuous monitoring and rapid response to threats.

7. Improve employee awareness

Human error is responsible for 88% of data breaches. Conduct cybersecurity training and phishing simulations to educate employees on recognising and avoiding threats.

Read more on essential cybersecurity habits to build a security-aware workforce.

8. Review and update your incident response plan

If your organisation lacks an incident response plan, now is the time to create one. If a plan is already in place, review it to incorporate lessons learned from the breach.

Incident response planning can significantly reduce downtime and financial losses.

9. Strengthen network security

Implement firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation to prevent future attacks. Continuous monitoring of network traffic helps detect suspicious activity early.

Our guide on strengthening cyber defences offers practical steps to enhance security.

10. Monitor for future threats

A breach doesn’t end once systems are restored. Cybercriminals often attempt repeat attacks on vulnerable targets. Continuous threat detection and security audits can prevent recurrence.

Stay ahead of threats with insights on emerging cyber threats.

Taking action now

A cybersecurity breach can be devastating, but a well-structured response minimises damage and helps prevent future attacks. Investing in proactive cybersecurity measures like penetration testing, managed security, and employee training significantly reduces the risk of breaches.

For expert support, visit DarkShield and explore our comprehensive cybersecurity services.