Preparing for a Cyber Crisis.
How to Prepare Your Business for a Cyberattack.
The phrase "Proper preparation and planning prevents poor performance" is an old adage that has been used by the British Army for centuries. This saying highlights the importance of having a well-structured plan, which helps keep teams on track, manage budgets efficiently, and achieve set objectives. Although most organizations do not face tanks or missiles, they are constantly threatened by cyberattacks. Therefore, preparing employees to tackle any challenge is crucial.
Preparing for a cyberattack involves having a solid cyber crisis management plan supported by individuals with the right skills to facilitate effective decision-making, strong leadership, and learning from experiences. Being ready in this area can make the difference between a properly managed cyber incident and a major crisis.
Recent cybersecurity incidents have taught important lessons. While there is often significant focus on future threats, it is vital not to forget past events. For instance, when the Log4Shell vulnerability was discovered in December 2021, it became clear that one-third of the affected applications were susceptible to remote code execution. The solution to this problem, which was easy to implement through updates, underscored the critical need for proactive vulnerability management and effective incident response.
Shortly after, the MOVEit vulnerability, which impacted over 2,600 organizations and affected nearly 90 million people, once again demonstrated the importance of preparation, although it required a different approach due to being a zero-day vulnerability. In this case, clear, transparent, and timely communication with stakeholders was key to managing expectations and maintaining trust during the incident.
These two events, while requiring different responses, convey the same message about the importance of being prepared. During a crisis, leaders feel intense pressure, where every decision matters. Therefore, it is essential to have a decision-making framework that balances urgent needs with long-term goals.
A good starting point during a crisis is to gather accurate and relevant information to understand the magnitude of the situation and its potential impacts. Additionally, it is crucial to establish reliable sources that allow for assessing the extent of the crisis and making informed decisions, thus avoiding the spread of unverified information that could cause panic.
It is vital for leaders to clearly understand their priorities and strategic approaches before a crisis. Evaluating how to protect people and which systems are critical to maintaining services is part of the crisis mitigation process. Moreover, aligning with the organization’s mission and values will ensure that the responses are both effective and consistent with its principles.
During an incident, clear and transparent communication becomes an essential element. Stakeholders should be regularly informed to manage their expectations. While a company may handle the technical aspects of a cyber incident well, a lack of proper communication management can lead to negative media coverage and a potential adverse reaction from customers.
Leaders must also remain flexible and adaptable to the evolving crisis. Cyber incidents are dynamic, and information can change rapidly. Adapting strategies based on feedback from those involved allows for better crisis management.
Constant practice is key to being prepared. It is not enough to create plans; they must be regularly tested and refined. An effective crisis management framework should include well-defined roles and responsibilities, as well as communication protocols. Simulations and regular exercises are essential to ensure that teams are ready for real emergencies.
After a cyber incident, it is vital to review the response framework, analyzing its effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. After-action sessions allow leaders to identify successes and gaps in the response process, ensuring that the organization is better equipped for future incidents. Finally, maintaining a culture of continuous improvement is fundamental to preserving a robust state of preparedness for crises.
Cyberattacks will continue to rise, but preparation can prevent an attack from escalating into a major crisis. The key lies in having a proactive and regularly tested crisis management plan.
