The “When” — Preparing for the Breach

In Blog 1, we acknowledged the inevitable: cyberattacks are no longer a matter of if, but when. In Blog 2, we explored how layered defences — your “if” — can slow attackers down and reduce risk. But even the strongest shield wall can be breached.

Now, in Blog 3, we focus on what happens when the breach occurs — and how your organization can respond with speed, clarity, and control.

If Is the Shield — When Is the Armour

Your “if” — the layered defences like MFA, Zero Trust, and IAM — is your shield wall. It’s designed to block the majority of attacks. But in today’s threat landscape, even the best shields can’t stop every arrow.

That’s where “when” comes in.

“When” is your armour. It’s what protects your business when something slips past your defences. It’s the difference between a glancing blow and a critical wound.

In the age of AI-driven attacks, breaches can escalate in minutes:

• Ransomware can encrypt entire systems in under 45 minutes.
• Credential stuffing bots can attempt millions of logins per hour.
• Data exfiltration tools can siphon gigabytes of sensitive data in seconds.

Without a well-prepared “when” strategy, the damage is not just technical — it’s operational, reputational, and financial.

Your Response Toolkit: The “When” Stack

Here’s what a modern, proactive response strategy looks like:

1. Managed Detection & Response (MDR)

• 24/7 monitoring by cybersecurity experts.
• Rapid threat detection and containment.
• Ideal for organizations without a full in-house SOC.

2. Extended Detection & Response (XDR)

• Integrates data across endpoints, networks, cloud, and identity systems.
• Uses AI and automation to correlate signals and reduce alert fatigue.
• Speeds up investigation and response.

3. Security Information & Event Management (SIEM)

• Centralizes logs and security data for real-time analysis.
• Enables threat hunting and compliance reporting.
• Often paired with SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) for faster action.

4. Incident Response Planning

• Defines roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths.
• Includes playbooks for ransomware, insider threats, and data leaks.
• Should be tested regularly through tabletop exercises.

5. Backups & Business Continuity

• Regular, encrypted backups stored offline or in immutable storage.
• Clear recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO).
• Business continuity plans to maintain operations during disruption.

The Cost of Being Unprepared

• Organizations with no incident response plan face 3x higher breach costs.
• 60% of SMBs go out of business within 6 months of a major cyberattack.
• Regulatory fines and class-action lawsuits are rising — especially in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.

The stakes for SMBs are particularly high. While large enterprises may weather the storm, small businesses often lack the resources to recover. Without a robust incident response plan, the costs—both financial and reputational—can be catastrophic. Even a basic incident response plan can dramatically reduce the impact of a breach for SMBs.

From Reactive to Proactive

The goal isn’t just to react — it’s to respond with confidence. That means:

• Detecting threats early.
• Containing them quickly.
• Communicating clearly with stakeholders.
• Recovering operations with minimal disruption.

Is your organization ready for the breach?

Talk to the cybersecurity experts at Exigo Tech.

Visit Exigo Protect to explore how we can help you build a response-ready security posture — from MDR and XDR to incident response planning and recovery. 

In Case You Missed It 

Blog 1: Not If, But When
Why cyber resilience is the new cybersecurity — and why breaches are inevitable. 

Blog 2: The “If”
How layered defences like Zero Trust, IAM, and MFA form your first line of protection. 

Up Next: Blog 4 — The Human Equation
Why your people are your greatest vulnerability and your strongest defence — and how to turn them into a human firewall. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late. The survival of your business could depend on the steps you take today. Contact Exigo Tech for a cyber resilience assessment.