What To Do If You Think Your Business is Under Cyber Attack

It is the one thing that no business owner wants to happen, but cyberattacks are on the rise with over 2,365 cyberattacks taking place in the U.S. in the last year alone. So it is definitely something that you need to know how to handle if and when it happens, so that you are able to take swift action to shut it down instead of panicking and making things so much worse.

That being the case, let’s take a look at what you should do if you find your company under cyber attack:

1. Step Away from the Panic Button

Take a deep breath. Yes, a cyber attack sounds terrifying, but running around screaming “We’re doomed!” isn’t going to fix anything. The key here is to think logically, act quickly, and avoid making decisions that make things worse. (No, smashing the server with a baseball bat isn’t a solution.)

2. Confirm It’s Actually an Attack

Before you start assembling a SWAT team, make sure it’s not just a glitch, a poorly-timed software update, or that one intern who clicked reply all again.

Signs your business might be under attack:

• Unusual login attempts or unauthorized access to accounts.
• Your website is suddenly as slow as dial-up (remember that?).
• Files are disappearing, encrypted, or replaced with something suspicious (hello, ransomware).
• You’re locked out of systems you definitely didn’t forget the password for.

If it quacks like a cyber attack, it’s probably a cyber attack.

3. Disconnect to Protect

The moment you suspect a breach, pull the plug—literally. Disconnect affected devices from the network to prevent the malware (or hacker) from spreading like gossip at the office.

But don’t shut everything down in a blind panic. You don’t want to lose valuable evidence that could help identify what’s going on. Think of this as putting out a kitchen fire, not torching the whole house.

4. Call in the Pros: Incident Response Services

Unless you moonlight as a cybersecurity expert, this is not a DIY project. You need professionals, stat. Incident response services are like the emergency room for your business—these experts will diagnose the problem, stop the attack, and help you recover.

Look for companies that specialize in cyber incident response, and don’t wait until you’re knee-deep in chaos to find one. Having a provider on speed dial before disaster strikes is like having insurance for your digital world.

5. Notify the Troops

Your team needs to know what’s going on—quickly and clearly. Send out a “Houston, we have a problem” message, but keep it professional. No one wants to read a mass email titled “We’re all doomed, Karen!”

Explain the situation, tell employees what steps to take (like changing passwords or not opening suspicious emails), and remind them to stay calm. They’re part of the solution, not the peanut gallery.

6. Lock It Down

Change passwords on every account faster than a teenager updates their TikTok. Use strong, unique passwords for each system, and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Hackers love laziness, so don’t make it easy for them.

While you’re at it, review admin access to sensitive systems. If Janet from accounting doesn’t need access to your IT infrastructure, revoke her privileges. It’s not personal, Janet.

7. Contain the Damage

Once you’ve kicked the hackers out, it’s time to assess the damage. What did they access? How far did they get? Is sensitive data involved?

Your incident response team (remember them?) will be your best bet for answering these questions. They’ll investigate the breach, identify vulnerabilities, and help you understand what needs fixing to prevent it from happening again.

8. Communicate with Stakeholders

If customer data has been compromised, you can’t just sweep it under the rug and hope nobody notices. Transparency is key. Notify affected parties promptly and honestly, and let them know what steps you’re taking to address the issue.

You’ll also need to check if there are any legal requirements to report the breach to regulators. Nobody likes paperwork, but fines and lawsuits are even worse.

9. Learn from the Nightmare

Once the dust has settled, it’s time for some reflection. What went wrong? Was it human error, outdated software, or the fact that your password was password123?

This is where a post-attack audit comes in. Work with your cybersecurity team to identify vulnerabilities and implement fixes. Update your systems, train your staff, and invest in stronger security measures. Prevention is way cheaper than dealing with another attack.

10. Train, Train, Train (and Then Train Some More)

Let’s face it: most cyber attacks succeed because someone, somewhere, clicked on something they shouldn’t have. (Looking at you, phishing emails.)

Invest in regular cybersecurity training for your team to teach them how to spot threats, avoid scams, and act responsibly online. Make it engaging—nobody wants to sit through another boring slideshow. Add quizzes, games, or even prizes for the most vigilant employee.

11. Build a Cybersecurity Plan

If you didn’t have a plan before, you’ll definitely want one now. A solid cybersecurity plan should include:

• Regular system updates and patches.
• Data backups (stored offline, because cloud backups can be hacked too).
• Strong firewalls and antivirus software.
• A clear incident response protocol (so you’re not making it up as you go next time).

Think of it as a digital first aid kit for your business.

12. Don’t Forget Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance might sound like overkill until you’re hit with the bill for lost data, legal fees, and rebuilding your systems. It’s not just for big corporations—small businesses are just as likely (if not more) to be targeted.

It won’t prevent an attack, but it’ll soften the financial blow and give you peace of mind.

A cyber attack can feel like the end of the world, but it really isn’t. And as long as you are willing to put in the work now to formulate a solid plan, and as long as you get the best professional help you can when you are in the thick of it, you will be able to get through it and stop those cybercriminals int heir tracks. You’ve got this!