Steps to Repair your Business when it has been Attacked Online

Data theft can be costly for a small to medium-sized business, and even corporate businesses can be put back months or spend millions rebuilding from an attack. Minimizing vulnerability and stopping network hacking from occurring in the first place should be one of every company’s highest targets in order to protect employee and consumer data and the organization’s integrity.

Unfortunately, not all attacks are preventable, and even the latest security mechanisms can be circumvented by using tricks and techniques that hackers haven’t yet tried. Every day, new attack tactics are created, and despite the best efforts of experts, they may not be sufficient. Businesses will continue to be threatened, but there is a proper way to respond. Loss can be mitigated over time, and a possible catastrophe can be converted into a speed bump on the way to business expansion.

Here are the tips on what you should do if your business is being attacked online:

• Discover and solve the cause of the problem.

Only because a data breach and a cybersecurity incident have happened does not mean that the problem has passed or that your devices are now safe. Your IT experts (and perhaps a contracted specialist, depending on the workers at your company) must be able to track down the root of the issue as quickly as possible.

This is done less to assign responsibility in the case of human negligence (which was most likely involved) and more to close the breach to avoid the hack from being exploited again in the future.

If the issue has been identified, clinicians can address it as quickly as possible, either by patching it or deleting it (depending on the problem). Furthermore, the company should make attempts to ensure that related issues do not exist in other business structures or processes.

• Execute a Cybersecurity Audit and Maintain Inventory

Once the immediate problem has been resolved, it is critical that companies inventory their data and conduct a “cybersecurity audit.” This is a complicated concept to extend to all companies precisely, so your corporation will wish to do the following, if applicable:

• Examine all data in the enterprise: and where possible, keep track of where files are and where they’ve been. Examine how programmes were used and where the most important details went (and whether those movements have been within company policy). This may be difficult to map, but the more knowledge you have, the better.
• Examine to see if any files are missing. Although this is impossible since hackers and cybercriminals are much more likely to merely copy data, signs of potential sabotage should be noted as well.
• Determine whether any files have been made available to the public or whether there is a trail that can be followed to determine where the stolen files go. Although you will not be able to delete or restore them, you may be able to assess the possible intent and effects of the attacks, helping you to respond more easily now and in the future.

These measures can vary greatly, and you may need to add additional steps, but the key thing is that you must thoroughly analyse the issue and take note of the evidence you have and where it has gone. This data would be extremely useful in your attempts to control the problem.

• Activate Damage Control

This is another move that is heavily reliant on the type of cybersecurity event that happened as well as the type of company you are in. There are several issues that may emerge as a result of a data leak, and here’s how to avoid the majority of them:

• If the corporation interacts with the media or has clients, get ahead of the issue before it becomes public knowledge. Under no conditions can a data leak be ignored, as it will almost certainly be detected, and attempting to conceal it will only make matters worse for the business. Explain that the problem has been identified, that it is being handled, and that all appropriate measures are being taken to ensure that it does not occur again.
• Passwords and verification process should be changed immediately to reassure staff while still strengthening protection.
• As a way of mending and protecting relationships, take preventive steps to secure those harmed by a hack or identity fraud. In general, offering credit management services is a good place to proceed.
• Set aside resources to deal with any further problems that can arise as a result of the crisis, and maybe even set aside IT technical time to answer questions from staff and clients/customers.
• Anything should be documented. Legal battles or problems can occur as a result of the data leak, and you would want to ensure that all is in order so that you can make a good case in your favour.
• Return to the company’s regular operations. Aside from the following focus on preparation, you will want to stay on-message with your brand and offer exceptional support to preserve your company’s reputation. Nobody needs to see a business in crisis.

• Retraining and refocusing

If the dust has settled and the company has policies in place to cope with the crisis to keep it from occurring again in the near future, it is a good time to evaluate the overall compliance procedures and have better preparation for workers within the organisation. Employee morale would undoubtedly increase as a result, as they would be more assured that such an incident will not occur again, and, considering the challenge, they would be more open to criticism and guidance on safety topics.

Depending on the precise nature of the data breach and your organization’s activities, you may want to refine or refocus the preparation, and the company may depend on the cybersecurity or IT professionals for these considerations.

What measures will you apply to those mentioned above as a leader and expert to a data breach response strategy? Have you ever been subjected to a leak, and if so, how did you deal with it? Can you have any further views on the matter? Please leave a comment and let us know what you think. Stay connected for more regular updates and news.