Your Business Has Been Hacked — What Now?

Cybercrime comes in all shapes and forms, from slowing down networks to sending spam emails from your business account. Being aware of potential signs that your business has been hacked is crucial for early detection and response. Acting purposefully and quickly can help mitigate harm when dealing with a cybersecurity incident. In this blog we’ll talk about common types of phishing attacks, how to know if you’ve been hacked, how to respond, and steps you can take to recover in the aftermath of an attack.

Here are seven of the most common cyber attacks businesses face:

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks involve malicious actors sending deceptive emails or messages to trick employees into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials, financial details, or proprietary data. Successful phishing attacks can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to systems, financial losses, and reputational damage.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or locks users out of their systems, with cybercriminals demanding payment (usually in cryptocurrency) for decryption or to restore access. Ransomware attacks can result in data loss, operational downtime, financial extortion, and potential legal repercussions.

3. Data Breaches

Data breaches involve unauthorized access, disclosure, or theft of sensitive data stored by a business, which can include customer information, intellectual property, or employee records. They can lead to regulatory fines, lawsuits, damage to brand reputation, loss of customer trust, and financial liabilities.

4. Malware Infections

Malware, short for malicious software, encompasses a variety of harmful programs like viruses, worms, Trojans, and spyware designed to disrupt operations, steal data, or gain control of systems. Malware infections can compromise system integrity, disrupt business operations, exfiltrate sensitive data, and serve as a launchpad for more sophisticated attacks.

5. Insider Threats

Insider threats refer to security risks posed by individuals within an organization, whether through malicious intent (insider attacks) or unwitting actions (negligence or human error). Insider threats can result in data leaks, sabotage, intellectual property theft, fraud, and compliance violations, posing significant challenges for detection and mitigation.

6. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

DDoS attacks overwhelm a business’s network or website with a flood of traffic from multiple sources, causing service disruptions, downtime, and making resources unavailable to legitimate users. These attacks can disrupt online services, lead to revenue loss, damage customer relationships, and create opportunities for further cyber intrusions during the chaos.

7. Social Engineering Scams

Social engineering scams manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security, often using psychological tactics to exploit human vulnerabilities. They can deceive employees into transferring funds, sharing sensitive data, or granting unauthorized access, highlighting the importance of robust cybersecurity awareness training.

Signs Your Business May Have Been Hacked

Recognizing signs of a potential breach within your business can feel like solving a puzzle. While some signs may be straightforward, such as locked files or ransom requests, others may not immediately catch your attention, requiring a closer look to uncover any hidden threats. Here are common indicators that your business may have been hacked:

Unexplained Network Activity
• Sudden spikes in network traffic or unusual data flow patterns.
• Unauthorized access to sensitive systems or files.

Changes in System Settings
• Unexpected alterations to system settings, configurations, or user permissions.
• Creation of new accounts without proper authorization.

Unusual Account Behavior
• Employees facing login issues or being locked out of their accounts.
• Suspicious logins from unfamiliar locations or devices.

Strange Emails or Messages
• Receipt of phishing emails requesting sensitive information or containing malicious links.
• Setup of unusual email forwarding rules without user knowledge.

Slow System Performance
• Significant decrease in system performance or frequent system crashes.
• Receipt of ransomware messages demanding payment for data decryption.

Unexpected Financial Transactions
• Unauthorized financial transactions or irregularities in accounting records.
• Fraudulent charges appearing on company accounts or credit cards.

Missing or Altered Data
• Files or folders disappearing without explanation.
• Modifications to critical data without proper documentation.

Security Warnings
• Alerts from security software indicating malware infections or intrusion attempts.
• Browser warnings about insecure connections or suspicious websites.

How to Respond to a Cyber Breach

Swift and effective action can be the key to mitigating potential damage. By implementing a structured response plan and engaging your team quickly, you can navigate the aftermath of a cybersecurity breach with clarity and purpose. Here are some proactive steps you can take to address security incidents:

Activate Your Breach Response Team
Upon discovering a security incident, activate your breach response team. Assign roles such as incident manager, tech manager, and communications manager. Tailor your response actions based on the nature of the breach. For example:

Ransomware: The primary course of action is isolation since ransomware has the potential to swiftly propagate across your systems, devices, and networks.

Data breach: Following data theft by cybercriminals, it’s crucial to promptly notify all impacted individuals within and beyond your organization to mitigate risks effectively.

Social media account compromise: In the event of a social media page or profile being breached, immediate steps include password modification and account recovery procedures.

Detect and Isolate Affected Systems
Quickly detect and isolate affected systems and hardware to contain the infection. Consider taking affected networks offline at the switch level to prevent further spread. Ensure evidence preservation for forensic investigation.

Alert Employees and Stakeholders
Alert your employees about the cybersecurity incident promptly. Switch to non-internet communication channels to prevent malicious actors from monitoring your organization’s responses. Inform key stakeholders within the organization about the cyber attack, including IT personnel, senior management, legal counsel, and relevant departments.

What Happens After the Breach is Contained?

Discovering and containing a security breach is just the first step in safeguarding your organization’s data and integrity. What comes next is crucial – the aftermath of a breach demands a strategic and proactive approach. Here are some essential next steps to take post-containment to ensure a robust recovery and fortification against future threats.

Conduct a Post-Incident Analysis
After containing the breach, conduct a thorough post-incident analysis to understand the root cause of the breach, assess the extent of the damage, and identify any vulnerabilities in your cybersecurity defenses. This analysis will help you learn from the incident and implement necessary improvements to prevent future breaches.

Enhance Security Measures
Based on the findings of the post-incident analysis, enhance your security measures to bolster your defenses against future attacks. This may involve implementing multi-factor authentication, encryption protocols, regular security audits, and employee training programs to raise awareness about cybersecurity best practices.

Update Policies and Procedures
Review and update your company’s security policies and procedures to align with the latest cybersecurity best practices. Ensure that all employees are aware of these policies and regularly receive training on how to handle sensitive information securely.

Monitor for Threats
Implement robust monitoring systems to continuously track and detect potential threats to your network and systems. Utilize intrusion detection systems, security information and event management (SIEM) tools, and threat intelligence feeds to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.

Communicate Transparently
Maintain transparent communication with internal stakeholders, customers, and regulatory authorities throughout the incident response process. Building trust through clear and timely communication can help mitigate reputational damage and demonstrate your commitment to addressing the breach responsibly.

Engage Legal and Regulatory Support
Consult legal counsel to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and privacy laws in the event of a data breach. Notify relevant regulatory bodies and affected individuals as required by law and cooperate with authorities in the investigation of the breach.

Learn and Adapt
Use the experience gained from handling a security incident to refine your incident response plan and strengthen your overall cybersecurity posture. Regularly review and update your response plan based on emerging threats and industry best practices.

By following these steps and adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, businesses can effectively navigate the challenges posed by cyber threats and minimize the impact of security incidents on their operations and reputation. We suggest that you also review guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. These organizations provide detailed instructions for responding to and protecting your business from cyber incidents.

Being prepared and responsive is key to safeguarding your business in an increasingly digital and connected world.

We’re ready to help you work smarter.