Incident Response & Disaster Recovery Quick-Start Checklist for SMBs

No business is entirely immune to cyber threats or unforeseen disasters. The key to resilience lies not just in prevention but in **preparedness**. This checklist provides a concise and actionable guide to help your small to medium-sized business (SMB) kick-start its Incident Response (IR) and Disaster Recovery (DR) planning.

SECTION 1: Incident Response (IR) Planning Checklist

Your playbook for when a cyber incident strikes.

Assemble Your Incident Response Team (IRT): Identify key personnel and assign clear roles.
Why? Knowing who does what reduces confusion and speeds up response during a crisis.
Define "What is an Incident?": Establish clear criteria for security incidents and define severity levels (e.g., Low, Medium, High, Critical).
Why? Ensures consistent reporting and appropriate response based on impact.
Establish Communication Protocols: Determine internal communication methods (secure chat, alternate email) and plan external communication.
Why? Maintains control of information and ensures timely, accurate updates.
Secure Essential Tools & Resources: Ensure tools like IDS (e.g., Suricata) and vulnerability management (e.g., GVM) are ready, with accessible logs.
Why? Having tools at hand accelerates detection, analysis, and eradication.
Develop Basic Incident Playbooks: Create simplified, step-by-step guides for common scenarios (e.g., "Ransomware Containment").
Why? Provides quick, actionable guidance when time is critical.
Plan for Evidence Preservation: Outline steps to collect and preserve digital evidence for forensic analysis (system images, network logs).
Why? Crucial for understanding the incident, preventing recurrence, and potential legal action.
Identify External Contacts: List contacts for cybersecurity specialists, legal counsel, and law enforcement (e.g., FBI, local cybercrime unit).
Why? Provides immediate access to expert help when needed.

SECTION 2: Disaster Recovery (DR) Planning Checklist

Ensuring business continuity no matter the disruption.

Conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Identify critical functions and determine the maximum tolerable downtime (RTO) and data loss (RPO).
Why? Helps prioritize recovery efforts based on business criticality.
Implement a Robust Backup Strategy: Regularly back up all critical data, store backups off-site/cloud, and **test restoration procedures periodically**.
Why? Backups are your last line of defense against data loss and system failure.
Identify Alternate Work Arrangements: Determine how employees can continue working if your office is inaccessible (e.g., remote work).
Why? Maintains productivity and minimizes operational downtime.
Create an Emergency Communication Plan: Establish methods to communicate with employees, customers, and suppliers during a major outage (e.g., emergency contact tree, social media).
Why? Keeps all stakeholders informed and manages expectations during a crisis.
Secure Essential Documents & Contacts: Maintain an accessible, off-site list of emergency contacts (vendors, utilities) and copies of vital documents (insurance policies, contracts).
Why? Ensures critical information is available when primary systems might be down.
Review Insurance Coverage: Understand what your current policies cover, and consider cyber insurance.
Why? Financial protection can be crucial for recovery.
Regularly Test Your Plans: Conduct tabletop exercises or drills for both IR and DR scenarios, and update plans at least annually.
Why? Identifies weaknesses before a real incident and ensures everyone knows their role.

Building comprehensive Incident Response and Disaster Recovery plans requires careful consideration and tailoring to your specific business. **Need expert guidance?** Don't navigate this complex landscape alone. Contact Welling Insights to develop and implement robust IR/DR plans for your business.