Cyberattacks are no longer rare; they are a reality every organization must face. As technology advances and digital transformation accelerates, the likelihood of falling victim to a cyberattack increases. To safeguard your organization’s assets, reputation and future, proactive measures and comprehensive cybersecurity preparation at every level of your company are essential.

This article will walk you through the critical steps necessary to fortify your defenses against cyber threats. We’ll highlight the roles and responsibilities of various departments and individuals within your organization.

How to prepare for the cyberattack: 9 critical steps

By working together and implementing these strategies, you can significantly enhance your organization’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks.

1. Developing a cybersecurity governance plan

The first step in preparing for a cyberattack is to develop a robust cybersecurity governance plan. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the C-suite and executive team. They must prioritize cybersecurity as a critical business issue and allocate the necessary resources to support the organization’s security efforts.

A comprehensive governance plan should include:

• Defining clear cybersecurity objectives that align with the overall business strategy.
• Assigning roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity management.
• Establishing a framework for risk assessment, decision-making and performance measurement.
• Support compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.

By setting a strong foundation through effective governance, leaders can help ensure that cybersecurity remains a top priority. They can also make sure all departments work together to achieve common security goals.

 2. Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment

To effectively prepare for a cyberattack, your organization must clearly understand its unique risk landscape. This task requires the collaboration of the IT department, risk management team and department heads. These groups should work together to conduct a thorough risk assessment.

The assessment should involve:

• Identifying critical assets, systems and data.
• Evaluating potential vulnerabilities and threats.
• Assessing the likelihood and impact of different cyberattack scenarios.
• Prioritizing risks based on their potential harm to the organization.

By mapping out the risk landscape, your organization can develop targeted security controls. They can also allocate resources to the areas that need them most. This helps ensure a more efficient and effective approach to cybersecurity.

3. Implementing robust technical security controls

With a clear understanding of your organization’s risk landscape, the IT department and security team are better prepared. They can focus on implementing and maintaining a strong technical security infrastructure. This involves deploying a range of tools and measures:

Firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and antivirus software

Firewalls, IDS/IPS and antivirus software are critical components of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Firewalls act as a barrier between your internal network and external threats. IDS and IPS monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and potential threats.

Antivirus software protects against malware by scanning, detecting and removing malicious code from systems. Together, these tools form a multi-layered defense to protect your IT infrastructure from cyberattacks.

Secure configuration standards for systems, networks and applications

Secure configuration standards are essential to minimize vulnerabilities. These standards involve setting up hardware and software to reduce the risk of security breaches, including:

• Disabling unnecessary services.
• Removing default accounts.
• Applying least privilege principles.
• Ensuring configurations align with security best practices.

Regular reviews assist compliance and help maintain a secure environment.

Encryption for sensitive data at rest and in transit

Encryption is vital for safeguarding sensitive data, both when stored (at rest) and during transmission (in transit). At rest, encryption protects data on storage devices. In transit, encryption secures data traveling over networks. Implementing strong encryption protocols and regularly updating keys are crucial for protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.

Regular patch management and software updates

Regular patching and updates are essential for maintaining the security and functionality of IT systems. Cyberattacks often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software. An effective patch management process involves identifying, testing and deploying updates promptly to close security gaps and minimize attackers’ window of opportunity.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong access controls

MFA and strong access controls are critical for protecting user accounts and sensitive data. MFA requires multiple forms of identification before granting access. Strong access controls help ensure users have appropriate access based on their roles, adhering to least privilege principles. Together, these measures significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

Continuous monitoring of network traffic and system logs

Continuous monitoring is crucial for early detection and response to potential security incidents. Organizations can identify unusual patterns by constantly analyzing network activity and system logs. This helps them detect intrusions and respond to threats in real time. Implementing security information and event management (SIEM) systems allows for automated alerting and detailed analysis to maintain a proactive security posture.

Beyond technical controls, the IT department should establish a process for regular security audits and penetration testing. This helps them identify and address any weaknesses in the organization’s security posture.

4. Developing and testing an incident response plan

Despite your best efforts to prevent a cyberattack, it is crucial to have a well-defined incident response plan in place. Developing this plan requires the collaboration of various team members. It spans the IT department, security team, legal department, PR/communications team and senior management.

The incident response plan should include the following:

• Clear roles and responsibilities for the incident response team.
• Procedures for detecting, analyzing and containing cyber incidents.
• Communication protocols for notifying relevant stakeholders.
• Strategies for preserving evidence and documenting the incident.
• Plans for recovery and restoration of affected systems and data.

It is essential to regularly test and update an incident response plan for it to be effective. Tabletop exercises and simulated cyberattack scenarios are ways to do this.

5. Providing security awareness training

One of the most critical aspects of preparing for an attack is employee education. They should be well-informed and equipped to identify and respond to potential threats. The IT department, security team and human resources should collaborate to develop and deliver comprehensive security awareness training programs for all employees.

This training should cover several critical topics to enhance cybersecurity awareness and practices:

• Identifying and reporting suspicious emails, attachments and links.
• Creating strong, unique passwords and using password management tools.
• Securely handling sensitive data and adhering to data privacy policies.
• Recognizing and avoiding social engineering tactics.
• Promptly reporting suspected security incidents for rapid response.

To reinforce best practices and keep employees vigilant, make cybersecurity awareness a continuous effort by providing regular updates, newsletters and phishing simulation exercises.

6. Establishing a vendor risk management program

Cyber risks can also originate from your organization’s third-party vendors and partners. To mitigate these risks, the procurement department, IT department, security team and legal department should work together. Together, they can establish a robust vendor risk management program. This program should include:

• Conducting due diligence on vendors’ security practices and compliance.
• Incorporating security requirements and service-level agreements (SLAs) into vendor contracts.
• Regularly monitoring and assessing vendors’ security posture.
• Establishing procedures for terminating vendor relationships if they can’t meet standards.

Hold your third-party partners accountable for maintaining strong cybersecurity practices. This can help reduce the risk of a cyberattack originating from their systems.

7. Implementing disaster recovery plans

In the event of a successful cyberattack, having a well-defined business continuity and disaster recovery plan is important. This can help minimize disruption and help ensure the timely restoration of critical operations. Senior management, the IT department and business unit leaders should collaborate to:

• Identify critical business processes, systems and data.
• Develop strategies for maintaining essential operations during an incident.
• Establish backup and recovery procedures for systems and data.
• Define roles and responsibilities for the business continuity team.
• Regularly test and update the plans to help ensure their effectiveness.

By having a comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plan in place, your organization can minimize the financial and reputational impact of an attack. You can also resume normal operations more quickly.

8. Cultivating a culture of cybersecurity

Effective preparation requires more than just technical controls and incident response plans. Preparation demands a strong culture of cybersecurity throughout the organization. Senior management must lead by example, prioritizing cybersecurity as a shared responsibility.

The IT department, security team and human resources should work together to:

• Communicate the importance of cybersecurity regularly to all employees.
• Encourage employees to report security concerns without fear of retribution.
• Recognize and reward employees who demonstrate good cybersecurity practices.
• Incorporate cybersecurity responsibilities into job descriptions and evaluations.
• Provide ongoing training and resources to keep employees informed.

By fostering a culture of cybersecurity, you can create a more resilient organization. You’ll be better prepared to prevent, detect and respond to cyberattacks.

9. Leveraging external specialists

Preparing for an attack is an ongoing process that requires continuous vigilance, adaptation and improvement. The steps outlined in this guide provide a solid foundation for enhancing your organization’s cybersecurity posture. However, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats can be daunting.

This is where partnering with a trusted cybersecurity firm like BPM can make a significant difference. Our team of experienced cybersecurity professionals can help you:

• Assess your current security posture.
• Develop and test incident response plans.
• Provide ongoing support.

By working with BPM, you can benefit from our in-depth knowledge, cutting-edge tools and proven methodologies. We allow you to focus on your core business while we help you manage and mitigate cybersecurity risks.

Don’t wait until a cyberattack strikes to start preparing. Confidently face the challenges of the digital landscape with a dedicated team of specialists on your side. We’ll partner with you to help fortify your defenses, empower your employees and create a more resilient organization.

Contact BPM today to learn how our comprehensive cybersecurity services can help you.