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Add An Additional Line of Defense with an Incident Response Plan

There’s been a suspected security incident. What’s the first thing that should be done? How can you put a stop to it? And who will determine your next steps?

When you have an incident response plan in place, all of these questions will be answered in advance. You’ll have a plan to follow should anything threaten your stored data, and your team will know precisely what to do to keep potential damage to a minimum. Even better, when you partner with ImageQuest, you’ll have an Expert Information Security Advisor specialist on your side, at your disposal.

No One Should Have Access to Your Data…

but if they do get in, an up-to-date cyber incident response plan will present a list of actions that should be taken to mitigate any damage. 

Picture it:  All your employees have completed their regular security awareness training. They know how to spot a phishing email, and they know whom to contact if they’re faced with something like malware or a ransom threat. 

Despite this, an employee makes a poor decision and clicks on a link from an unknown sender. Was it intentional? Was it a lapse in judgment? Those are questions you can answer as soon as you deal with the hacking attempt that’s happening at this moment. You immediately turn to your security incident response strategy… 

What’s that? You don’t have one of those? In that case, sit back while hackers copy your customer’s PII (Personal Identifiable Information). Your hands are tied, and all that’s left to do is wait for a response from your MSP. Every minute that passes can make a security incident worse.

Incident Response Plan - Inscription on Blue Keyboard Key.

What is an Incident Response Plan?

It’s much like its name indicates-a step-by-step plan to follow anytime a security incident is suspected. Your incident response plan should include: 

  • Documentation of Controls that are in Place for Alerting Appropriate Personnel to Any Potential Security Incident
  • Containment Steps, or the Steps Your Organization Will Take in the Event of a Suspected Security Incident (can include technical controls)
  • Recovery Steps, Including How to Restore Data or Systems and Measures to Contain the Damage
  • Steps to Communicate the Details of the Incident to Internal and External Stakeholders (and who needs to be informed)
  • A Guide to Debrief the Organization After the Incident has been Resolved

 Contact ImageQuest today. We’ll work with you to create an incident response plan unique to your industry and your organization-to help keep your data safe and your organization compliant.

Why Do You Need an Incident Response Plan?

Every business should have one in place. Typically, your cyber insurance company will want to know if you have one because they want to know how long it will take you to recover. And many regulatory agencies, including those for banking and other financial service companies, require regulated organizations to have an IRP.

You need to prove that you have one, and that it’s accessible to everyone on the response team if something happens.

Many industries-such as healthcare, banking, and other financial services companies-are required by the FDIC, OCC, and other agencies to prove that a plan is on file and accessible to everyone on the designated incident response team.

Need help creating a security incident response plan? ImageQuest is ready to help. Contact us to start the conversation.

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How Can You Know Your Incident Response Plan Will Be Effective?

That’s easy-by carrying out simulated response plans, or tabletop exercises, with the support of the ImageQuest team. We will guide your appointed incident response team through various scenarios in which they will be asked to follow the steps provided in your cyber incident response plan. 

Notes will be taken and improvements suggested, just like we do with our own incident response plans. This will help to ensure execution in the event of an actual security situation.

The Services That Make an Incident Response Plan ‘Just a Formality’

We all know that even if you do everything you can to prevent a fire in your home-blow out candles, turn off the stove, keep your chimney clean and your furnace in good working order-fires are still possible. That’s why you have smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and an escape plan. 

And that’s why we have incident response plans-to offer a final line of defense for our full line of compliance-related information security advisory services, including: 

 With ImageQuest’s security advisory services, you can be sure you’re doing everything possible to meet all compliance requirements AND keep your stored data secure. Let’s put you on the path to complete security today!