Cybersecurity is more important now than ever before. In the past few years, we have seen some of the worst cyber attacks in history. From WannaCry to Petya and NotPetya, these cyber attacks have caused billions of dollars in damage and affected millions of people around the world.
If you are not prepared for a cyber attack—or the following cyber attack recovery—you could be next.
What Are Cyber Attacks and Why Are They Dangerous?
A cyber attack is a deliberate and unauthorized attempt to gain access to, or damage, a computer system. Cyber attacks can be carried out by individuals, groups, or even governments.
Cyber attacks are dangerous because they can lead to the loss of sensitive data and the destruction of critical infrastructure. In addition to the direct damage that cyber attacks can cause to your data, they also have indirect consequences such as economic losses and reputational damage.
10 Immediate Steps to Take After a Cyber Attack
1. Contact Your Cybersecurity Provider
If you have a cybersecurity provider, the first step you need to take after a cyber attack is to contact them and let them know about the breach. They will be able to help you contain the attack and assess the damage.
2. Identify the Type of Cyber Attack
Identifying the type of attack that occurred will help you understand how the attackers gained access to your systems and what they may have done.
3. Contain and Assess
Containing and assessing the attack is a critical step in cyber attack recovery. This may involve disconnecting from the internet or taking other measures to prevent further damage, as directed by your IT provider. Assessment includes identifying any sensitive data that may have been compromised and determining the impact of the breach on your business operations.
4. Begin Data Recovery and Business Continuity Efforts
Once you have contained the cyber attack and assessed the damage, you need to begin cyber attack recovery and business continuity efforts. This may involve restoring from backups or using other methods to recover lost data. You need to ensure that your business operations can continue in the event of a cyber attack.
5. Report the Attack to Law Enforcement
Cyber attacks are a crime, and you should report them to law enforcement. In addition to filing a police report, you should also contact your local FBI office.
6. Contact Your Cybersecurity Insurance Provider
If you have cyber insurance, you need to contact your insurer as soon as possible after a cyber attack. They will be able to help you with the costs of recovering from the attack.
7. Let People Know
Don’t be afraid to send out a notification of the breach and provide information on what steps customers or other affected parties can take to protect themselves.
8. Adapt Your Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Cybersecurity awareness training is an important part of preventing cyber attacks. After a cyber attack occurs, you need to review your training program and make sure it is up-to-date.
9. Conduct Frequent Data Backups
Data backups are essential for cyber attack recovery. You should conduct regular backups and store them off-site in a secure location.
10. Make a Plan
After a cyber attack, it’s important to review your security procedures and make sure they are adequate. You should also establish a proactive approach to cybersecurity, so you can detect and respond to attacks quickly.
Contact Bethany Insurance For Cyber Insurance
At Bethany Insurance, we understand the importance of cybersecurity. We offer a comprehensive cyber insurance policy that can help you recover from a cyber attack. Don’t wait to update your insurance policy until it’s too late. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you in the event of an attack.
