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Why Incident Response Readiness Is Your Organization’s Best Defense

When it comes to cyber threats, one thing is certain: it’s not if, but when an incident will occur. Whether it’s a phishing email that slips past filters or an unpatched server exploited by ransomware, the reality is that no organization is safe from this eventuality. The key difference between an effective incident response program and a catastrophic breach relies heavily on how prepared your organization is to respond.

The Real Cost of Being Unprepared

Imagine discovering your critical systems are locked by ransomware. Your email is down, your customers can’t reach you, and your IT team is scrambling. Every second counts. In the chaos, teams are unsure of roles, response steps, or even who to call first. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario, this happens every day. And in many cases, it could have been mitigated or avoided with a well-practiced, well-documented incident response (IR) plan. In 2024, IBM’s Data Breach Report indicates that the average cost of a data breach can soar upwards of $4.88 million. This staggering figure emphasizes the necessity for robust incident response readiness.

Preparedness directly impacts how quickly and effectively an organization can move through the four essential phases of incident response:

  1. Identification – How quickly can you recognize that something’s wrong?
  2. Containment – Can you stop it from spreading?
  3. Eradication – Can you remove the threat fully and cleanly?
  4. Recovery – How efficiently can you restore operations?

Without preparation, these steps take longer, cost more, and often result in more damage. In the same IBM article referenced above, investments in AI and automation can significantly reduce breach costs on average by $2.22 million compared to organizations that do not have these technologies.

Our Incident Response Readiness Services

To help organizations like yours be proactive, we’re proud to offer services designed to assess your incident response maturity and guide it to where it needs to be.

Cybersecurity Incident Response Tabletop Exercises:

We simulate real-world security incidents in a safe, structured environment so your team can practice their response. These exercises test decision-making, communication, and readiness, without the risk of a real attack. Our tabletop scenarios are inspired by actual breaches and security failures, and tailored to highlight the gaps we uncover during our assessments and conversations with your team.

Full Incident Response Readiness Assessments:

We conduct a comprehensive review of your organization’s IR capabilities, looking at:

  • Your current IR plan, policy, and runbooks
  • IR roles and responsibilities across IT, security, and senior leadership
  • Communication protocols during incidents
  • Alignment with frameworks like NIST SP 800-61

        Let's Build Resilience Together

        No two organizations are the same, and neither are their security needs. Whether you’re just starting to build an IR program or looking to validate and strengthen an existing one, we’re here to help.

        If you’re ready to turn uncertainty into confidence and chaos into coordination, reach out to us. Let’s prepare now—before an attacker forces the issue.

        Want to learn more or schedule an exercise?
        Contact us today to customize an IR readiness solution that fits your organization’s size, complexity, and risk profile.

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        MEET THE AUTHOR

        Matthew Fischer

        Security Advisory

        Alane Kochems is a Lead Security Consultant with Netrix Global and provides vCISO services to clients in multiple industries. She has over 20 years of experience working in cyber security, risk management and technology policy.

        Let's get problem-solving