What is Cyber Incident Response?
Incident response is a critical process used to identify, manage, and mitigate cyber security incidents or breaches including suspected instances of attacks.
Incident Response is designed to detect cyber attacks, minimise their impact, contain the damage, and identify and resolve the root cause to prevent future occurrences.
For businesses, the importance of Incident Response cannot be overstated. Cyber security incidents, such as data breaches, Ransomware attacks, deep fakes or phishing, vishing or smishing scams, can have far-reaching consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. A robust incident response strategy equips organisations to handle these threats effectively and restore normal operations with minimal disruption.
Some of the most common security incidents include:
Unauthorised access to systems or data - when an attacker gains unauthorised access to your systems or data.
Ransomware or Malware - when an attacker manages to install software on the target endpoint(s) for malicious purposes.
Denial of Service (DoS) - when an attacker floods the target with traffic, overloading it and making it unresponsive.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) - when an attacker uses your systems and resources collectively with other compromised devices, to attack other organisations to overload their systems making them unresponsive.
Phishing and social engineering- when an attacker gains unauthorised access to data or systems through tricking employees - or persuades a user to do something they shouldn’t via malicious links or QR codes, email, text message or phone conversation.
Insider threats - when a current or former employee uses their authorised access to systems or data for malicious purposes such as sabotage or theft.
Privilege escalation - when an attacker gains access to a system with low level privileges and then attempts to gain access to a higher-level account.
An effective incident response plan can help cyber incident response teams detect and contain cyber threats, restore affected systems and reduce lost revenue, regulatory fines and other costs. Incident Response should be conducted in a manner that aligns with cyber insurance policy requirements and preserves evidence in case of legal action or criminal proceedings. Organisations also have to think about reporting and compliance requirements too.
Why Would I Need It?
Grasping the reasons behind cyber attacks and developing resilience against them can be complex and challenging without the appropriate expertise or knowledge. However, it is crucial for maintaining security. More and more, organisations are recognising the need for external assistance to effectively respond to attacks and prevent their recurrence.
When the worst does occur and you suffer a cyber incident, our experts combine years of business, technical and regulatory experience, enabling them to support you to return to normal operations as quickly as possible. We help you take immediate action, identify what may have been compromised through forensic investigations, recover systems and services quickly, and determine root causes to identify what lessons can be learned to improve resilience.
The first 72 hours of a cyber attack are the most critical but also the most difficult for decision makers in an organisation. With our experience we can help you make those decisions which will result in the most successful outcome possible.
What are the steps involved, and how Toro Solutions can help?
When a cyber attack hits, every second counts. Incident response isn’t just a process - it’s your lifeline to identify, manage, and recover from a security breach. Here's how we can support you:
1. Preparation
Help develop an incident response plan.
Advise on an incident response team with defined roles and responsibilities.
Ensure your incident response notification procedure aligns with your cyber insurance requirements and any relevant and regulatory requirements.
2. Detection & Analysis
Monitor systems and networks for signs of incidents.
Analyse and correlate alerts to determine if an incident has occurred.
Assess evidence to understand the scope and impact of the incident.
Employ chain of custody to ensure the credibility of evidence should the investigations be needed in any civil or criminal legal proceedings.
3. Containment:
Implement short-term containment measures to prevent further damage.
Plan for long-term containment to maintain business operations while addressing the threat.
4. Eradication
Identify the root cause of the incident and eliminate the threat.
Ensure that all traces of the incident are addressed.
5. Recovery
Restore systems and services to normal operations.
Monitor systems closely for any signs of recurring incidents.
Validate that systems are functioning properly before returning to full operation.
6. Post-Incident Activity:
Conduct a thorough review of the incident to understand what happened and why.
Document findings and update the incident response plan as needed.
Share lessons learned with relevant stakeholders to improve future response efforts.
Agree and implement remedial steps to prevent a recurrence of the incident in the future.
Common Challenges in Incident Response
Despite its importance, incident response can be challenging.
Some common obstacles include:
Delayed Detection
Many organisations struggle to identify threats quickly due to inadequate monitoring tools.
Lack of Expertise
Handling complex incidents requires specialised knowledge and experience.
Poor Communication
Without clear protocols, coordination across departments can break down during a crisis.
Partnering with experienced security experts can help overcome these challenges, ensuring a coordinated and effective response.
Why You Need an Incident Response Retainer
Cyber incidents are inevitable, but being prepared can make all the difference. An incident response retainer ensures you have expert support on standby, ready to act when you need it most. Benefits include:
Rapid Response
Quick action to contain and resolve threats.
Minimised Downtime
Faster recovery to reduce business disruption.
Expert Guidance
Access to specialists who understand the technical, business, and regulatory aspects of incident response.
Start Preparing Today
The first 72 hours of a cyber incident are critical. Without a plan, decision-makers face immense pressure to act quickly, often without the information or expertise needed. By partnering with Toro Solutions, you’ll gain access to the tools, training, and expertise necessary to handle any incident effectively and in line with any cyber insurance policy or regulatory requirements you may be subject to.
Don’t wait for a crisis to strike - take proactive steps to protect your business now.
Contact us today to build your incident response plan and secure your organisation’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Incident Response Plan?
An Incident Response Plan (IRP) is a formalised document that outlines the procedures to follow during a cybersecurity incident. It ensures a coordinated and structured approach to managing incidents, reducing downtime, and mitigating damage.
Why is Incident Response Important?
Incident response is vital for protecting sensitive data, minimising operational disruption, and avoiding financial losses. A well-executed response plan ensures swift action to calmly and methodically contain and resolve threats, preserving both business continuity and reputation.
How Can My Organisation Prepare for a Cyber Incident?
Preparation is the cornerstone of effective incident response. Key steps include:
- Creating a comprehensive incident response plan.
- Training employees to recognise potential threats.
- Regularly testing response procedures through simulations and tabletop exercises.
- Ensuring up-to-date security tools and adequate monitoring systems.
What Happens After An Incident Is Resolved?
After resolving an incident, a detailed review is conducted to identify lessons learned. This includes analysing the root cause, documenting findings, updating the incident response plan, and sharing insights with stakeholders where Toro Solutions can advise on the implementation of controls and measures to prevent a similar instance occurring in the future.
How Long Does It Take to Respond to an Incident?
The duration varies based on the complexity of the attack and the organisation's preparedness. While minor incidents may be resolved within hours, more severe breaches could take days or weeks. Toro will respond quickly to any suspected or confirmed security incident and provide the expertise and resource to address your case, in under 24 hours.