Recognizing and Responding to a Cyber Incident
Do you know what to do when something goes wrong? A calm and informed response can make all the difference.

No matter how careful you are, no system is completely immune to cyber threats. Phishing emails, ransomware, malware, identity theft, and data breaches can happen to anyone — individuals, families, and businesses alike. Recognizing the early warning signs and responding quickly can significantly reduce the damage and speed up recovery.

1. Common Signs of a Cyber Incident

It’s important to stay alert and watch for indicators that something might be wrong. Key signs include:

Unusual account activity
– Unexpected login alerts, password reset emails you didn’t request, or strange messages sent from your accounts.
Unexplained system behavior
– Your device is running slower than usual, crashing, or showing pop-ups or programs you didn’t install.
Loss of access
– You’re locked out of accounts or files are encrypted or deleted without your knowledge.
Suspicious financial activity
– Unauthorized charges, missing funds, or alerts from your bank or credit card provider.
Antivirus or firewall disabled
– Security software being deactivated or behaving unexpectedly can signal that malware has taken control.

2. Immediate Steps to Take if You Suspect a Cyber Attack

Disconnect from the internet
– This can help stop data from being exfiltrated and limit further infection, especially in ransomware cases.
Change your passwords — immediately
– Use a secure device to reset login credentials for important accounts. Prioritize email, banking, and work logins.
Run a full malware scan
– Use trusted antivirus or anti-malware tools (e.g., Malwarebytes, Microsoft Defender) to detect and remove malicious software.
Back up what you can
– If your files are still accessible, back them up to an external drive that’s not connected to the network.
Notify relevant institutions
– This includes your bank, employer, IT department, or any service where your compromised accounts are used.
Report the incident
– In many countries, cyber incidents can and should be reported to national cyber authorities.

3. Build a Cyber Incident Response Plan

Preparation is key. Whether you’re managing a household or a small business, having a basic incident response plan ensures you’re ready to act.

Include these elements:

A list of critical accounts and services
– Email, banking, cloud storage, social media, etc.
Backup schedule and storage locations
– Ideally with at least one offline backup (external hard drive).
Emergency contact information
– For your IT support, bank, mobile provider, etc.
Documentation of what to do step by step
– Including how to disconnect devices, reset routers, and verify systems.

Need a starting point? Try this incident response checklist by the Center for Internet Security (CIS).

4. Preventative Measures to Minimize Future Risk

Once the situation is under control, it’s time to strengthen your defenses:

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all critical accounts.
Regularly update software and operating systems — outdated tools are easier to exploit.
Use a password manager to store strong, unique credentials.
Back up regularly, ideally both in the cloud and on external, encrypted drives.
Educate everyone in your household or team about phishing and social engineering tactics.

A cyber incident can feel overwhelming — but with the right mindset and preparation, it doesn’t have to be catastrophic. The key is to stay calm, act fast, and take steps now that make recovery easier tomorrow.

Cyber resilience is not just for big organizations — it’s for all of us.