A cyber incident can hit like a storm—fast, disorienting, and potentially devastating. Whether it’s ransomware, a data breach, or a system compromise, the first 24 hours are critical. Decisions made in this window can mean the difference between swift recovery and prolonged disruption or, worse, reputational and legal fallout.

Small businesses, in particular, often lack formal incident response teams or round-the-clock IT support. Having a simple, clear, and executable action plan is essential. Here’s what to do—step by step—when the clock starts ticking.

For small business leaders, managing cybersecurity can feel like navigating in the dark. You’ve invested in antivirus software and firewalls and maybe even hired a managed service provider—but how do you know it’s working? The answer lies in tracking the right cybersecurity metrics.

Metrics give you visibility and help translate technical security operations into business language. And when measured correctly, they empower leaders to make decisions based on data—not just gut instinct or vendor promises.