Experiencing a data breach can have devastating consequences for your organization, leading to potential losses and a tarnished reputation. Many data breaches are caused by human error, prompting businesses to consider options like managed IT services or robotic process automation (RPA) for enhanced security.
RPA involves replacing human workers with software bots. These bots can be used to automate any process which is rules-based and repetitive. RPA mimics human actions with high accuracy, speed, and reliability, making it a valuable asset in bolstering an organisation’s security.
If you search for ‘RPA services provider in UAE‘, you’ll find numerous organizations specializing in RPA for cybersecurity. However, this article focuses on the crucial steps to take after a data breach, rather than recommending a specific service. Here are the key actions to follow.
Dealing With a Data Breach
- Communicate with Stakeholders
Immediately inform all relevant stakeholders about the data breach and advise them to take extra precautions, such as changing passwords. For cases involving financial data, prompt clients to block their cards and request the bank to halt any payments. It will prevent any further financial losses.
In most countries, the law requires that the business immediately inform its customers and other stakeholders of a data breach. For instance, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates companies to report a data breach within 72 hours of knowing about it.
- Gather Information
Assess the breach’s scope and impact by gathering all pertinent information. Understanding how the breach occurred and what data was compromised is essential for formulating an effective response and mitigation plan. Suppose an organisation’s data is breached.
The research reveals that the cybercriminals managed to use social phishing techniques on one of the company’s employees. Unknowingly, they handed over confidential information to the hackers. What does it indicate? It shows that the company needs to invest in employee training.
If the company did not undertake this research, it would have no way of knowing the actual reason behind the data breach. It would invest in new security systems and technologies but not the underlying cause. Therefore, gathering as much information as possible is critical to ensure long-term security.
- Containment
Take swift action to contain the breach and prevent it from spreading further. Engage specialist third parties, such as cybersecurity experts. The last thing you want is to let an inexperienced team manage the containment process. Industry best practices recommend keeping your network offline during the process.
The reason for this is to prevent additional attacks and ensure that the team has the necessary time to contain the attack. If your network is online, the team’s attention will be divided. It will have to focus on containment and attack prevention simultaneously. It can compromise the quality of work.
- Notify Again
Reassure stakeholders by communicating the measures taken to address the breach. This helps rebuild trust in your organization, as lack of transparency can push clients towards competitors.
- Invest in Employee Training
Implement continuous employee training on the latest cybersecurity issues and regularly assess their understanding. Empowering employees with knowledge will create a stronger line of defence against future breaches.
- Cybersecurity Policy
Establish a new, robust cybersecurity policy that enforces frequent password changes and restricts access to critical organizational accounts and systems. Monitor employee activity through logs, clearly outlining this practice in the policy to prevent any backlash.
- Invest in Technology
Recognize that relying solely on human efforts may not be enough. Invest in technology like RPA bots to monitor your IT network 24/7, providing an extra layer of security against cyber threats.
Conclusion
These steps are essential for any business support dealing with a data breach, regardless of industry or nature. By following these measures, you can steer your organization toward a more secure and resilient future.
