In today’s digital world, cyber attacks aren’t just possible — they’re inevitable. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, you need to know how to respond when a cyber threat strikes. That’s why learning how to create a cyber incident response plan from scratch is crucial for protecting your data, operations, and reputation.
At Enterprise Security Services Corporation, we help businesses stay prepared by building powerful, proactive cybersecurity strategies. If you’re starting from zero, don’t worry — this guide walks you through everything you need to know.
What Is a Cyber Incident Response Plan?
A cyber incident response plan (IRP) is a documented strategy that outlines how your organization detects, responds to, and recovers from cyber incidents. It helps your team act fast, reduce damage, and avoid confusion during a crisis.
Why Do You Need One?
Cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches can cost your business thousands — if not millions — of dollars. A well-crafted plan ensures that when something goes wrong, you can respond quickly and minimize the damage.
Creating a strong plan doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Use these 7 steps of an incident response plan as your foundation:
The 7 Steps of an Incident Response Plan
1. Preparation
Prepare your team by developing cybersecurity policies, training employees, and setting up response tools. Services like Security Awareness Training and Ethical Hacking are excellent ways to test and strengthen your defenses.
2. Identification
Detect and confirm whether a cybersecurity incident has occurred. Tools like SIEM solutions (Security Information and Event Management) help track unusual activity across your network.
3. Containment
Stop the attack from spreading. This may involve isolating systems, blocking malicious IPs, or disabling compromised accounts.
4. Eradication
Remove the threat from your environment. That could mean deleting malware, updating patches, or restoring from clean backups.
5. Recovery
Restore systems and resume normal operations. Test systems to ensure they’re secure before bringing them fully online.
6. Lessons Learned
Conduct a post-incident review to identify gaps and update your plan accordingly. This step improves future responses.
7. Communication
Ensure proper communication internally and externally (customers, partners, and legal authorities). Having a plan reduces confusion and panic.
Understanding the SANS and NIST Frameworks
The 6 Steps of SANS
The SANS Institute offers a simplified model:
- Preparation
- Identification
- Containment
- Eradication
- Recovery
- Lessons Learned
It aligns well with the 7-step model but groups communication and recovery into shared phases.
What Is the NIST Incident Response Plan?
The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) framework outlines similar steps but emphasizes policy development, detection tools, and incident coordination. It’s widely used by government agencies and enterprises.
NIST recommends working with experts to implement proactive services like Security Assessment and Audit and Threat Modeling.
What Is the CISA Cyber Incident Response Plan?
The CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) offers a federal-level playbook for responding to cyber incidents. It’s geared toward critical infrastructure and emphasizes:
- Cross-agency coordination
- Timely threat sharing
- Continuity of operations
Businesses can adopt elements of the CISA model for advanced planning.
Common Terms You Should Know
What Is the IR Process in Cybersecurity?
IR (Incident Response) is the entire lifecycle of preparing for, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber threats.
What Is a SIEM Solution?
A SIEM solution collects and analyzes security data in real time to detect threats. It’s a must-have tool for fast identification and response.
What Is EDR in Cybersecurity?
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) focuses on monitoring and protecting devices like laptops, phones, and servers. EDR tools help detect malware and unusual activity on endpoints.
What Are the 5 Incident Response Steps?
Some organizations use a 5-step model:
- Preparation
- Detection & Analysis
- Containment
- Eradication & Recovery
- Post-Incident Activity
How to Create an Incident Action Plan
An Incident Action Plan (IAP) is the tactical part of your IR plan. It includes:
- Who does what during an incident
- Contact lists for key personnel
- Communication templates for internal and external messaging
Start by assigning roles (IT, Legal, PR) and building templates your team can use under pressure.
Practical Tips for Building Your Plan
- Start with risk assessment: Use Security Assessment and Audit to identify your weakest links.
- Train your team: Invest in Security Training and Awareness.
- Use the right tools: Combine SIEM, EDR, firewalls, and Access Control Systems for layered defense.
- Practice regularly: Run simulations to test your response, much like fire drills.