Page 28 - Cyber Warnings

Act Quickly

If your security software or your personnel have reported an attack on your network, here’s what
to do:

• Isolate the Threat. Locate the machine where the threat was detected and remove its
access to your network. Leaving it connected could allow the threat to move to other
machines, which can quickly drive up the work involved to mitigate the scenario.

• Harden Your Network. Make sure that all devices on your network are using up-to-date
software. If a security solution is in place, make sure it's allowed to receive the latest
updates on new threats.

• Have a Response Plan. Your PR team should have a communications plan ready,
particularly if your organization handles sensitive information. You should also have a
security firm on hand with forensics experts who can trace the origin of the threat,
analyze the extent of the damage to your system and advise you on how to clean your
system and avoid similar threats moving forward.

• Contact Authorities. The FBI is responsible for handling cyber crime in the United
States. Know how to contact your closest office and begin an investigation. Collect log
files and other diagnostic information from your network if possible, for submission.
Doing so might keep this from happening to others.

Communication is key. There are a number of commercially available technologies that let you
monitor network resources for signs of an event. Once you notice something, engage the right
people inside and outside of your organization quickly to achieve the fastest resolution.

Done right, you can avoid the shame many high-profile companies have had to endure.

About the Author

Megan Ray Nichols is a freelance science writer and the editor of Schooled
By Science. She writes weekly on scientific news stories. Megan is a regular
contributor to Datafloq, Big Data Made Simple and The Energy Collective.
You can subscribe to her blog here and follow her on Twitter.

28 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine November 2016 Edition
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