Creating Incident Response on a Shoestring

Effective incident response doesn't require expensive consultants or dedicated staff. Document simple response procedures focusing on essential actions. Create checklists for attack identification, initial response, and recovery. Clear documentation enables any staff member to initiate response procedures.

Establish relationships with key contacts before attacks occur. Know how to reach hosting provider support quickly. Understand ISP procedures for attack assistance. Join small business security communities for peer support. These relationships provide crucial assistance without consultant fees.

Prepare response tools using free and open-source solutions. Download and configure monitoring tools like Netdata or Zabbix. Prepare scripts for common mitigation tasks. Test backup communication channels. Having tools ready accelerates response without emergency purchases.

Practice response procedures during quiet periods. Conduct simple tabletop exercises reviewing attack scenarios. Test mitigation activation procedures. Verify backup systems function correctly. Regular practice improves response effectiveness while identifying procedure gaps.