Cyberattacks are a growing threat to businesses nationwide, and Ohio is no exception. From phishing scams to data ...
Cyberattacks are a growing threat to businesses nationwide, and Ohio is no exception. From phishing scams to data breaches, the average cost of an attack can reach $9,000, with potential for much higher losses if not addressed promptly. For Ohio business leaders, understanding the immediate steps to take following a cyberattack is crucial to minimize damage and ensure a swift recovery.
1. Contain the Breach Immediately
The first action is to isolate the compromised systems. Disconnect affected servers from the internet, disable remote access, and change all passwords associated with the compromised accounts. This containment prevents the spread of the attack and limits further unauthorized access.
2. Assess the Extent of the Damage
Once containment is established, determine the scope of the breach. Identify which data has been compromised, including sensitive employee, customer, and partner information. Understanding the full extent allows for targeted remediation efforts and informs communication strategies.
3. Utilize Backup Data
If your business maintains regular backups, now is the time to implement them. Restore systems using clean backup data to resume operations. However, ensure that the backups have not been compromised; restoring from infected backups can lead to repeated breaches.
If you're not sure if your backups are working properly, check out our blog post, how to know if your backups are working, to learn more.
4. Notify Affected Parties
Transparency is vital. Inform employees, customers, partners, and relevant authorities about the breach. This not only maintains trust but is also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. Provide guidance on protective measures they should take, such as monitoring financial accounts or changing passwords.
5. Engage Cybersecurity Experts
Cyberattacks often require expertise beyond internal IT capabilities. Engage with experienced cybersecurity professionals like us to investigate the breach, identify vulnerabilities, and implement strategies to prevent future incidents.
Our expertise can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of cyber threats. Take the next step and let us evaluate your digital risk and protect your business with a complimentary cybersecurity risk assessment.
6. Review and Strengthen Security Measures
After addressing the immediate threats, conduct a thorough review of your cybersecurity policies and practices.
Not sure where to start? We have a Cybersecurity Policy Template you can download to get you and your team started.
Implement stronger security measures, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), regular software updates, and employee training programs.
Use MFA whenever you can, including on your network, banking websites, and even social media. It adds an extra layer of protection to ensure that event if your password is stolen, your data stays protected. Microsoft has done studies and found that MFA stops 99% of attacks on your accounts.
Establishing a culture of cybersecurity within your organization is essential for long-term protection. Train yourself and your staff— and do it regularly. Teach them about data security, policies, and procedures and email attacks. "Phish" yourself and your employees.
We send out weekly phishing emails to our clients that offer training tips if you click on a link or open attachments in one of our emails. It not only trains you on what to look for, it also keeps being diligent and safe at the top of you and your team's minds. If you know that you are being phished, you are less likely to take the real, malicious bait. If you aren't phish testing your team already and are interested in trying it out, we can give you a test run and offer you a month trial of phish testing for you and your team.
A cyberattack can be a daunting experience for any business, but prompt and decisive action can mitigate its impact. For Ohio business leaders, having a well-defined response plan and the right support can make all the difference. By following these steps, you can navigate the aftermath of a cyberattack and strengthen your defenses against future threats.
To learn about even more things you can do to protect your business from a cyberattack, download our infographic that you can share with your team.
