Part 1: The 'Respond' Component
1. Preparation - Have a Simple Plan & Key Contacts Ready
2. Detection & Analysis - Know & Understand an Incident
3. Containment - Stop the Bleeding!
4. Eradication & Recovery - Remove the Threat
5. Post-Incident Activity - Learn & Improve
Part 2: The 'Recover' Component
1. Recovery Planning - Your Safety Net
2. Recovery Execution - Getting Systems Back Online
3. Communications During Recovery
4. Improvements - Learning from Recovery
Essential Tips for Success...
These overarching strategies are crucial for small businesses to effectively manage cybersecurity.
Outsource When Possible
Partner with a managed service provider for access to expertise and tools.
Employee Training is Gold
Regular, simple training on phishing and passwords is one of the most effective investments you can make.
Consider Cyber Insurance
A good policy can help cover the significant costs of data recovery, legal fees, and business interruption.
Know what your policy covers.
Document & Review Regularly
Keep simple notes on incidents and your response. Review this entire plan, your contacts, and your backup strategy at least once a year.