Build An Effective Cyber Incident Response Plan

With Australian data breach costs now averaging over AUD 4.26 million per incident, a single missed alert can spell the difference between a setback and a catastrophe, costing your business millions in downtime, fines, and lost trust.

This guide shows you the key steps to handle an incident fast and includes a free downloadable IR plan template.

If You Don’t Have a Clear Plan, You’re Already Exposed

If you’re like many Operations Leaders, you’re facing one of two realities:

• "We’ve got no clear plan for cyber incidents, and it’s keeping me up at night."

• "Our last incident was a mess. No one knew what to do."

Incident response isn’t just a task for IT. It's a business continuity function that protects your operations, customers, and reputation.

Can Your MSP or IT Team Handle a Breach Alone?

In theory, yes. In practice, most can’t, not without a coordinated plan.

If you're wondering:

• Should we build our own IR playbook or use a proven template?

• Who should lead incident response — internal ops, IT, or a vendor?

• How do we know we’re compliant with ASIC and the NDB scheme?

A good plan gives you control and confidence when it matters most.

Every Staff Member Plays a Role

Your frontline isn’t IT; it’s your people.

Reception, payroll, sales: if they use a device, they’re part of your cyber perimeter. They must:

• Recognise signs of suspicious activity.

• Know who to report it to

• Act quickly and confidently.

Common red flags:

• Repeated failed login attempts

• Accounts locking unexpectedly

• Antivirus turned off without notice

• Emails sent without the user’s knowledge

Build a culture where reporting is rewarded, not punished.

Know the Difference: Events, Incidents, and Emergencies

Not all cyber activity requires the same response. Know what you’re looking at:

Escalate early. Waiting for proof is often too late.

Containment & Eradication: Act with Certainty

When an incident is confirmed, your goal is to stop the spread fast.

Your Containment Plan should:

• Be documented, accessible, and tested

• Define roles, actions, and communication

• Include isolation, credential resets, scanning, patching

• Be shared with IT, leadership, and key partners

Run tabletop exercises. Train your team before it counts.

Communication is a Critical Function

Imagine this: someone calls your office claiming customer data has been leaked. Who answers the phone? What do they say?

Your team must know:

• Who fields external calls during an incident

• What can and can’t be shared publicly

• Who gets notified internally — and how fast

Preparedness isn’t just about systems. It’s about knowing what to say when the pressure is highest.

Silence causes panic.

Your Incident Management Team (IMT) must:

• Share clear updates with execs, IT, legal, comms, vendors

• Cover current status, actions taken, next steps

• Prepare regulatory and customer notifications

Good comms build trust. Bad comms create confusion and damage.

After the Incident: Learn Fast, Fix Faster

Every breach is a test. Review and reinforce:

• What worked? What failed?

• Were roles clear? Were systems ready?

• What gaps must be closed now?

Document your post-incident review to show regulators and your board that your organisation is learning and adapting.

Download Your Free Incident Response Plan Template

We help mid-sized companies respond faster and recover stronger. Our IR Plan Template includes:

• Practical steps aligned to real-world incidents

• Role-based responsibilities and escalation guides

• Clear compliance alignment with the NDB and ASIC

→ [Download the Free IR Plan Template Now]

Incident response isn’t just about technology. It’s about protecting your operations, reputation, and people.

The best time to prepare was yesterday. The second-best time is right now.