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

Roles	Responsibilities
Senior Management	Approves the IRP, provides resources for its implementation, and oversees incident response efforts.
IT Department	Coordinates technical aspects of incident response, including system monitoring, analysis, and recovery.
Security Officer	Oversees security measures and ensures compliance with the IRP.
Employees	Report incidents promptly, follow prescribed procedures, and cooperate with incident response teams.

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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

Date	Description	Version
January 15, 2050	The initial draft was approved by senior management	Version 1.0
March 28, 2050	Updates following post-incident review	Version 1.1

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X. Contacts

[Your Name]

[Your Company Name]

[Your Company Email]

[Your Company Number]

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