What to Do Before, During, and After a Cyberattack
Ever feel like your computers are plotting against you? No? Just us? Well, here’s the deal: cyberattacks are no longer just a big business problem. According to CISA, small businesses are the #1 target for hackers. Why? Because most lack a solid cyberattack response plan.
If you’re running a small business in McKinney, Plano, Allen, or anywhere in North Texas, here’s your guide to surviving the digital storm: what to do before, during, and after a cyberattack.
What to Do Before a Cyberattack: Fortify Like Fort Knox
Cyberattack Response Step 1: Assess Your Risk
You can’t protect what you don’t know. Start with a risk assessment. We’ll help you find the cracks before hackers do.
Cyberattack Plan Step 2: Build an Incident Response Plan (IRP)
Know who does what when things go sideways. Define roles, escalation paths, and external partners (like us!). Add RZR Solutions to your emergency contacts.
Step 3: Use the Right Cybersecurity Tools
- Endpoint Detection & Response (e.g., SentinelOne)
- Real-time network monitoring
- Off-site, tested backups
- Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
Step 4: Train Your Employees
Phishing emails? Malware links? We help your staff spot them before disaster hits. Ask about our employee training bundles.
Step 5: Test Your Backups Regularly
Backups are only as good as your ability to restore them. We test disaster recovery—so you’re not testing it for the first time during a breach.
What to Do During a Cyberattack: Act Fast, Stay Calm
Step 1: Contain the Cyber Threat
Disconnect affected devices from the network. Unplug. Isolate. Cut it off before it spreads like digital wildfire.
Step 2: Alert Your Cybersecurity Team
If you’re partnered with us, we’re already on it. If not, we should talk.
Step 3: Preserve Digital Evidence
Keep logs, timestamps, suspicious IPs. This data helps with compliance, insurance, and legal protection.
Step 4: Follow Your Incident Response Plan
Stick to the plan. Follow your predefined steps. Breathe. You’ve got this.
What to Do After a Cyberattack: Recover & Reinforce
Step 1: Restore from Clean Backups
Use your verified, clean backups to restore systems. If you’re unsure, we’ll help you do it right.
Step 2: Investigate the Breach
Figure out what happened. Audit logs. Run forensic scans. Identify the entry point and who/what was affected.
Step 3: Patch All Vulnerabilities
Update software, firmware, and passwords. Fix misconfigurations. Lock the digital doors.
Step 4: Communicate Responsibly
If customer data was exposed, notify affected parties. FTC breach response guidelines can help.
Step 5: Update Your Response Plan
What worked? What didn’t? Take notes. Then revise your cyberattack response plan accordingly.
Don’t Wait for the Fire to Buy the Extinguisher
Need a cybersecurity plan before, during, and after a cyberattack? We help small businesses across North Texas prevent, respond, and recover.
Schedule a free consult right here or check out our Backup & Recovery Services to lock it down.