What Happens When an Organisation Suffers a Cyber Attack?

In today's digital landscape, cyber attacks are an ever-present threat to organisations of all sizes. The consequences can be catastrophic, with impacts felt both immediately and long into the future. Understanding the likely sequence of events can help businesses prepare and respond effectively.

1. Initial Detection (Minutes to Days)

The first challenge is identifying that a cyber attack is underway. Detection may come from:

• Internal staff noticing unusual system behaviour
• Monitoring systems triggering alerts
• External clients or partners reporting issues

However, distinguishing between a cyber attack and routine IT issues can be difficult. Common attack types include:

• Ransomware: Systems locked with demands for payment
• Data Breaches: Sensitive information stolen
• DDoS Attacks: Overwhelming systems to disrupt service
• Supply Chain Compromises: Malware infiltrating via third-party software

Cyber criminals often time attacks to coincide with holidays or periods of low staff availability, making detection slower.

2. Incident Response (Hours to Days)

Once the attack is confirmed, the organisation will trigger its Incident Response Plan (if one exists). Key steps include:

• Containing the attack to prevent further spread
• Assessing which systems and data have been compromised
• Engaging external cybersecurity specialists
• Alerting their Cyber Insurance company (who may want to take control) 
• Reporting data breaches to regulators within 72 hours if personal data is affected (as required by GDPR)

A critical decision at this stage is whether to completely disconnect systems, which can hinder forensic investigation but limit damage.

3. Business Disruption (Days to Weeks)

Critical systems may be offline for days or even weeks, halting operations. Impacts could include:

• Loss of production for manufacturers
• Inability to process payments for retailers
• Failure to deliver services to customers

Organisations may need to activate Disaster Recovery Plans, restoring systems from clean backups. However, identifying malware-free backups can delay recovery.

During this time, Business Continuity Plans are vital to maintain minimum service levels and protect revenue streams.

4. Public Disclosure (Days to Weeks)

If customer data is compromised, the organisation must:

• Notify affected individuals
• Communicate with regulators
• Manage media coverage to minimise reputational damage

How well the organisation handles this communication will significantly affect public perception.

5. Recovery (Weeks to Months)

Restoring systems is a painstaking process, especially if backups have been compromised. Decisions must be made on whether to pay ransom demands – a highly controversial step that can fuel criminal activity.

Cybersecurity defences will need strengthening, with significant investment in:

• Enhanced monitoring
• Employee training
• Incident response capabilities

6. Regulatory Fallout (Months to Years)

Regulators like the UK's ICO may launch investigations, potentially issuing hefty fines for failing to protect personal data. Lawsuits from customers or partners may follow, adding to financial and reputational damage.

How Sentinel Helps Mitigate Cyber Attacks

Sentinel provides an out-of-band communication platform designed to help organisations respond quickly and effectively. Key features include:

• Mass notification systems to alert staff within minutes
• Secure chat and video crisis rooms for collaborative decision-making
• Centralised access to disaster recovery and business continuity documents
• Mobile accessibility to ensure teams can act from anywhere
• Supply chain and customer contact management for seamless communication

By maintaining secure communication channels outside of compromised systems, Sentinel helps organisations contain cyber attacks faster, reducing both financial losses and reputational damage.

Conclusion

Cyber attacks are a growing threat with the potential to cripple organisations. While no company is immune, those who invest in preparedness, robust cybersecurity measures, and out-of-band communication platforms like Sentinel are far better equipped to survive and recover from an attack.

Preparation is no longer optional – it's essential for operational resilience in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats.

Explore our Cost of Downtime Calculator to understand how cyber attacks could impact your organisation, and how Sentinel can pay for itself in a matter of hours.