Free Incident Response Plan For Small Business

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I. Introduction

Purpose

• The Incident Response Plan (IRP) outlines procedures for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security breaches, cyberattacks, and other incidents to ensure the continuity of [Your Company Name] operations and minimize damage.

Scope

• This plan applies to all employees, contractors, and third-party service providers who handle company information systems or are involved in business operations.

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II. Roles and Responsibilities

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III. Incident Detection and Reporting

• Employees should promptly report any suspicious activities, security breaches, or incidents to the IT department or designated incident response team.

• The IT department monitors systems for indicators of compromise and unusual activities through automated tools and manual checks.

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IV. Incident Assessment and Classification

Upon receiving a report, the incident response team assesses the severity and impact of the incident, classifying it based on predefined criteria such as impact on business operations and data sensitivity.

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V. Response Procedures

Communication Protocols

• Establish clear channels of communication for incident reporting, escalation, and coordination.

Containment Measures

• Immediately contain the incident and prevent further damage or data loss.

Escalation Procedures

• Define escalation paths for incidents requiring senior management or external involvement.

Evidence Preservation

• Document and preserve evidence for forensic analysis and potential legal action.

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VI. Recovery and Restoration

System Restoration

• Restore affected systems and data from backups to minimize downtime and ensure business continuity.

Business Process Recovery

• Implement contingency plans to resume critical business processes disrupted by the incident.

Post-Incident Review

• Conduct a post-incident review to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement in the IRP and overall security posture.

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VII. Training and Awareness

• Regularly train employees on incident response procedures, including how to recognize and report security incidents.

• Conduct tabletop exercises and simulations to test the effectiveness of the IRP and enhance preparedness.

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VIII. Documentation and Review

• Document all aspects of the incident response process, including incident reports, response actions, and lessons learned.

• Periodically review and update the IRP to reflect changes in the business environment, technology, or threat landscape.

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IX. Revision History

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X. Contacts

[Your Name]

[Your Company Name]

[Your Company Email]

[Your Company Number]

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