Cyber-attacks can happen to any company, big or small. It is critical to have the proper safeguards in place to protect yourself and your company from any malicious activity. This blog will give you an overview of what to do if you become a victim of a cyber-attack.

Unplug the system from the network

If you are the victim of a cyber-attack, the first step should be to disconnect the system from the network so that the infection does not spread. This is especially important if you are a sole proprietor because you do not want the attack to spread to your customers or other third parties.

Go offline to avoid affecting backups

Going offline is critical to avoid the cyber-attack affecting any backups. Backups are essential for any business because they enable you to recover lost data and resume normal operations more quickly. By taking the system offline, the risk of the attack affecting any backups is reduced.

It's also worth noting that if the system is still connected to the network, the cyber-attack has the potential to spread and affect other systems. This is especially true in the case of a ransomware attack, because the malicious code can spread to other network-connected systems. Going offline is the best way to ensure that the attack is contained and no further damage is done.

Contact your MSP for help

If you operate a sole proprietorship, contacting your Managed Service Provider for assistance can be beneficial. They can assist you in determining the best ways to respond to cybersecurity incidents and IT issues in order to resolve them quickly and efficiently. Don't know who to contact if you don't have an MSP? We can refer you to a reputable company - a Cyber Essentials Partner of ours.

Check your business continuity plan

It is vital that everyone is aware of the business continuity plan, as this will provide them with guidance on what to do in the event of an attack. Following a cyber-attack, this plan should outline the steps that must be taken, such as shutting down or disconnecting affected systems, notifying relevant authorities, and restoring data backups.

Knowing this plan ahead of time can assist the organisation in responding quickly to any cyber security incidents and minimising damage. Furthermore, it is critical that the plan be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it is up to date and in line with any changes in the organisation's technology and infrastructure.

It is important to have a company policy in place, regardless of the size of your organisation, so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an attack. It's also critical to remember not to aggravate the situation. In these situations, time is of the essence, so it's critical to act quickly and take the necessary steps to protect your data.

Don't forget to report the attack

When dealing with cyber-attacks, it can be beneficial to use logic. The first point of contact should be Action Fraud, who will be able to provide advice and guidance on how to proceed. It's also important to remember that paying the ransom is often ineffective and can exacerbate the situation.

We do not recommend paying the ransom demanded by cyber attackers. Paying the ransom does not guarantee that you will get your data back; in fact, some hackers may raise their demands after receiving payment.

When most businesses pay the BitCoin ransom, they receive nothing in return. Furthermore, paying the ransom encourages the hacker to commit similar crimes in the future. Contacting an MSP who can help you restore your data from backups or mitigate the attack and minimise the damage is the best course of action.

Get support

We offer a variety of cyber security resources and advice, ranging from software and hardware recommendations to safe online practices. This can be extremely useful for companies looking to protect their data and systems from cyber threats.

In addition, we offer Cyber Essentials for businesses, which aids in the establishment of trust with customers and other organisations. This helps to demonstrate a commitment to cyber security and may provide a competitive advantage to businesses. We have recently achieved our Cyber Essentials certification, and all of our Cyber Essentials Partners (formerly Trusted Partners) can assist you throughout the process of getting certified. Contact us for more details or to prepare your business for CE or CE+ accreditation.

When it comes to cyber-attacks, prevention is always better than cure. Taking proactive measures to secure your data and systems is critical for protecting your company from malicious activity. This includes using up-to-date software, creating strong passwords, and protecting yourself against viruses and malware.

Educating yourself and your employees on cyber security can help ensure that everyone understands the risks and what steps to take to protect the business from an attack. Taking precautions to protect your company from cyber-attacks is critical to ensuring the security of your data and systems.

If you are the victim of a cyber-attack, however, follow the steps outlined in this blog to protect yourself, and remember: you can always contact us to improve your cyber security.

Reporting

Report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).