How to deal with a cyber-attack?

Time has passed, and now that you’re familiar with the most common types of cyberattacks, it’s time to prepare for the worst-case scenario. What if, despite implementing every security measure imaginable, you fall victim to a cybersecurity breach?

First and foremost: stay calm. Let’s go over how to handle a cyberattack step by step.

Common Steps to Respond to Any Cyberattack

1. Detect it quickly

The first thing you need is a solid way to identify that something is wrong. Beyond the alerts from your monitoring tools, is your system slower than usual? Is there suspicious activity on your accounts? Are you or your employees receiving strange emails? Stay vigilant—early signs are often subtle.

2. Isolate it

If you’ve identified the issue, the first step is to disconnect the affected systems from the network. This prevents the damage from spreading to other devices or servers. For example:

• Disconnect devices affected by ransomware or malware

• Block suspicious IP addresses in case of a DDoS attack

3. Inform your team

Your IT team or cybersecurity personnel should be the first to know. They will act as your front-line defense. If you don’t have an internal team, contact a cybersecurity company immediately.

4. Change passwords

As we mentioned when we gave you some IT security tips, changing passwords every 6-12 months is good practice. After a cyberattack, it’s essential. Change all passwords for affected accounts, especially in cases of phishing, social engineering, or SIM card cloning.

5. Follow your recovery plan

We’ll dive deeper into this step in a future post. For now, execute the actions outlined in your Recovery Plan. These may include redirecting services, restoring systems from backups (if available), and more.

6. Investigate, analyze, and act

Just like a crime scene investigation, you should thoroughly analyze the cyberattack. How did it happen? What was the entry point? What data was compromised? Ask these and other questions to prevent recurrence and strengthen your security measures.

7. Notify stakeholders

Depending on the scope of the attack, you may need to inform:

• Authorities or data protection agencies

• Customers or suppliers, if their data was compromised

• Your insurance provider, if you have cybersecurity coverage

Transparency is crucial here. Hiding information is counterproductive since these details often come to light. Between a company that takes responsibility for a data breach and communicates it openly, and one that hides it, which would you trust more when the truth surfaces?

Specific Steps Based on the Type of Cyberattack

1. Phishing

• Identify victims: If an employee fell for the scam, determine whose account was compromised and change their credentials immediately.

• Revoke access: Disable active sessions on all devices associated with the account.

• Educate staff: Conduct quick training to prevent others from falling for similar attacks.

2. Ransomware

• Don’t pay the ransom: It’s tempting, but paying should be your last resort. It doesn’t guarantee data recovery and funds criminal activity.

• Use backups: If you have recent backups, restore your system from them.

• Contact experts: Reach out to cybersecurity specialists. Tools may exist to decrypt certain types of ransomware.

3. Malware

• Scan everything: Use antivirus software to conduct a deep scan of all affected systems.

• Remove the malware: Once identified, ensure it’s completely removed. Some types of malware require specific tools.

• Update software: Security patches often address vulnerabilities exploited by malware.

4. DDoS Attack

• Implement a firewall to block malicious traffic.

• Activate mitigation services: Services are available to filter traffic before it reaches your servers.

• Optimize infrastructure: Ensure your servers can handle high traffic to avoid overloads.

5. Social Engineering

• Close suspicious access points: If attackers obtained confidential information, such as passwords or access keys, invalidate them immediately.

• Raise awareness: Conduct workshops to help your team recognize and avoid manipulation tactics.

6. MITM Attacks

• Update network configurations: If the attack occurred on a public Wi-Fi network, change all router passwords and strengthen network security.

• Review security certificates: Ensure your SSL/TLS certificates are intact and uncompromised.

7. SIM Card Cloning

• Contact your carrier: Report the situation and request that the compromised SIM card be blocked.

• Reset authentication: Change your two-factor authentication settings, replacing SMS with authentication apps.

• Check your accounts: Review all accounts linked to your number to ensure they haven’t been compromised.

A cyberattack may seem like the end of the world at first, but with a solid response plan, you can mitigate the damage and keep the situation under control. The key is to act quickly, follow the right steps, and learn from each incident to strengthen security. Remember, cybersecurity is a marathon. Keep your systems updated and your team informed.