In our fast-paced world, security threats and challenges evolve and develop all the time. With more business and communication taking place online than ever before, virtually every organization on the planet is vulnerable to a cybersecurity threat.
So, what can you do about it? First, you can work with a qualified cybersecurity professional or organization to help develop the processes, procedures and systems to help you mitigate those threats and respond to any potential breach. Hey, that’s us!
In this post, we’re discussing why every organization needs a Security Incident Response Plan, so let’s get started.
What is a Security Incident Response Plan?
It’s a bit of a mouthful, and you certainly wouldn’t want to have to say it three times fast, but the concept is actually quite simple. A security incident response plan tells your team what to do following a cybersecurity breach; it details how to handle a security incident. Not only does it help your organization detect, respond to and recover from a cyber-attack or incident, it includes a clear strategy and defined roles and responsibilities (“the who does what”) during a security crisis.
Cybersecurity for all!
There seems to be a bit of a common misconception outside of our industry that only the biggest brands or large government institutions need robust security measures. After all, they’re the organizations most vulnerable to cyberattacks… Right?
Yes, larger organizations are under threat all the time and perhaps have the most to lose, but make no mistake, so are small to medium-sized businesses, and they usually have a lot to lose too. In reality, we often mistakenly believe that the big guys are the only ones impacted because they are more likely to make a public announcement or be in the news when a breach occurs. So, for example, if your dentist is the victim of a breach, you may not ever know, but a breach at a large multinational will be all over the news.
But don’t just take our word for it; even the Government of Canada recommends that small and medium-sized enterprises should have an Incident Response Plan.
Any organization that holds critical data, assets and customer information in a digital space or takes payment online is at risk and needs to take its cybersecurity management seriously. It could be the difference between navigating a breach and keeping your business on track or suffering a catastrophic failure and running into a challenging situation.
On that note, big brands and government entities often have robust cybersecurity protocols and plans in place; it’s usually the small to medium-sized businesses that are playing catch up on their data security needs and are most at risk.
Are you feeling confused?
Let’s think about this in terms of a different emergency — fire. Consider how both mom-and-pop motels and large hotel chains all have fire safety strategies in place. The response plan for a fire is well-drilled, detailed and clear. But, unfortunately, when disaster strikes, it’s too late to develop the plan on the fly. It’s the same for your cybersecurity. A failure to plan today might be a disaster come tomorrow.
When it comes to security, there’s no one size fits all!
While all businesses and organizations need to take their cybersecurity needs seriously, there’s no one size fits all plan for this stuff. It’s unique to every organization. The plan for a university may be different from the plan for a dental office. However, both organizations still need Security Incident Response Plans. Having one in place can help you be nimble in the event of a breach, managing the security challenge from start to finish in a way that makes sense and helps protect your business and critical information.
At SeekingFire, we can help you develop the plan that suits your organization’s unique data security needs, providing peace of mind every step of the way in the event of a breach. Once we’ve gotten to know your organization’s specific data security posture, we even offer a $0 ongoing retainer. We’re on call should you ever need us, and we know your security situation inside and out so we can respond quickly and effectively. However, if you don’t need us, it won’t cost you a single dime.
Our offering also includes business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) to help you stay operational when things do go wrong. Let’s be honest there’s no good time for a security breach, so why not put some protection in place to help you manage the potential issue?
What if I’ve been procrastinating on my security needs?
Let’s set the record straight — procrastination happens. We’ve all done it. If you’ve been holding off looking at your organization’s data security, we get it. We even know this isn’t the most fun subject to discuss, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. We bring a no-judgment approach to everything we do, and we keep all information in the strictest confidence. Burying our heads in the sand rarely makes a problem go away, and nine times out of ten, it usually makes it worse. We’re here to help, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
I’ve suffered a security breach. What do I do now?
If you’ve suffered a breach, that’s a very stressful time. We get it—step one: breathe. Then, we can work with you to try and put things right. A security breach is an urgent emergency that you should not ignore as it can lead to the loss of crucial information, assets, revenue and productivity. If you need help, please contact us now. Don’t delay!
Like many things in life, It’s not about there never being a challenge or an issue; it’s how you respond to that crucial issue. Ultimately, that’s where your Security Incident Response Plan comes in. It can help you manage and save your reputation, retain customer trust and confidence, protect the data that you hold for your organization, including client data, and even keep you in business.At SeekingFire Consulting, we’re proud to support businesses and institutions across Western Canada with their data security needs, and we’ve been making the digital world a safer, more secure place since 2005. If you need data security support, please reach out.
Disclaimer
While we have made every effort to present accurate, unbiased and helpful information in this article, please note that it reflects the author’s opinion and is written for the purposes of general knowledge, information and discussion. This article is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be considered as advice specific to your individual data security situation. If you would like to discuss your cybersecurity needs in specific detail, please get in touch with us.
