What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Cyber Attack

First 24 Hours After a Cyber Attack

The first 24 hours after a cyber incident determine recovery speed and financial impact. Immediate containment and structured response prevent long-term damage.

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Panic slows recovery. Structured action restores control.

Here is a clear sequence to follow:

Hour 1–4: Contain the Threat

• Disconnect infected systems from the network
• Disable compromised user accounts
• Block suspicious outbound traffic

Containment prevents spread.

Hour 4–12: Preserve Evidence

• Do not wipe systems immediately
• Capture logs and screenshots
• Document timeline of events

Proper documentation supports investigation and insurance claims.

Hour 12–18: Assess Backup Integrity

• Verify clean restore points
• Confirm backups are not infected
• Identify most recent stable recovery point

Never restore without validation.

Hour 18–24: Communicate Internally

• Inform leadership
• Notify legal and compliance teams
• Prepare structured employee communication

Clear communication prevents rumor escalation.

Key Insight:
Organizations with predefined incident response plans recover up to 60% faster than those improvising under pressure.

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