Adam Kangiser, Compliance Analyst at Iviry
Cyberattacks are not a matter of “if,” but “when.” For businesses in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) that are managing sensitive information, the stakes are high. A well-prepared incident response and business continuity plan can make all the difference between swift recovery and long-term operational damage. Whether you’re protecting intellectual property or maintaining compliance with CMMC, being prepared is key to minimizing the impact of a cyber event.
Developing a Strong Incident Response Plan
In 2023, over 880,000 cybercrime complaints were reported, many of which involved significant business disruption. A strong incident response plan provides clear steps for identifying, containing, and recovering from an attack. Regular simulations and tabletop exercises ensure that everyone knows their role and can respond quickly in the event of a breach. This preparation is especially important – delays in response can compromise sensitive data and loss of revenue.
Ensuring Business Continuity After a Cyber Attack
A cyberattack can bring operations to a halt, leading to costly downtime and potentially putting critical contracts at risk. A well-designed business continuity plan ensures that essential functions can continue even during a cybersecurity event. This plan should include regular data backups, cloud-based recovery systems, and strategies for minimizing disruption to day-to-day operations. It’s vital to ensure that both IT infrastructure and communication channels can be restored quickly after an attack.
Recovery and Post-Incident Actions
Recovery is often overlooked, but it’s just as critical as prevention. After a cyberattack, it’s essential to assess the breach, identify the vulnerabilities exploited, and take steps to prevent future incidents. In 2023, the average cost of a data breach was $4.45 million—underscoring the need for a solid recovery strategy that minimizes damage and reduces the chance of recurring incidents.
Strategic Preparedness
While cyberattacks are inevitable, being prepared can significantly reduce their impact. A robust incident response and business continuity plan is essential for ensuring that your organization can recover quickly while maintaining compliance with standards like CMMC. Iviry specializes in helping businesses build comprehensive plans that protect sensitive data and ensure operational continuity in the face of cyber threats.
