11 Critical Steps To Contain Cyber Damage And Protect Your Business

Forbes

4 days ago

Cyber extortion can hit a company hard by disrupting operations, exposing sensitive data and shaking shareholder trust. Even a single attack can have costly, far-reaching consequences for business reputation and revenue.
When the unexpected happens, a swift and strategic response is essential—every second counts, and every step must be deliberate to limit the fallout and begin recovery. To help your organization prepare for this high-stakes scenario, 11 members of Forbes Finance Council explain how to respond to a cyber extortion attack effectively and professionally.
1. Isolate Threats And Preserve Evidence
The most critical step is to isolate and contain the incident. You can immediately disconnect affected systems from the network, disable compromised user accounts, servers or devices. You need to preserve evidence. Containment limits damage and preserves forensic evidence needed for investigation and recovery. Activating the incident response plan for a coordinated response to prevent chaos and accelerate mitigation. - David Kelley, Diesel Laptops
2. Quarantine Assets And Communicate Clearly
First, you should pause. Then, you need to immediately quarantine compromised assets, trigger your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) or Incident Response Plan (IRP) and secure critical evidence. Clear, proactive communication is vital; thoughtful, planned action always beats chaotic reaction. - Jay Korpi, Piqued Solutions, LLC
3. Activate Crisis Teams And Practice Preparedness
The first move is to activate your crisis team, fast, because cyber extortion hits more than servers; it threatens trust, brand and the bottom line. It's like a fire in a data vault: You pull the full alarm, not just call IT. Like any fire drill, your response only works if you've practiced, so have a tailored plan and rehearse it often. - Adeel Manzoor, HERE Technologies
4. Implement Response Plans And Engage Key Leaders
Cyber extortion requires activating incident response and crisis management plans. You need to notify the CEO and the board, then assemble leads from across the business—communications, risk, tech, cyber and operations. You also have to engage external cyber partners and legal counsel for privileged advice. One last thing to do is use extortion response playbooks (decision guides), assess system, data and regulatory impacts and activate business continuity plans. - Shivali Kukreja , NIB NZ
5. Stop The Spread And Notify Authorities
If a company falls victim to cyber extortion, the first step should be to isolate affected systems to stop the spread. In addition, you need to contact law enforcement immediately, such as the FBI's IC3. You can have your cybersecurity team identify and eliminate any other potential vulnerabilities. It will take a team effort to overcome a severe challenge like cyber extortion. - Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
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6. Act Quickly Without Panic
The first step is not to panic and act fast, but smart. You should immediately isolate affected systems to contain the threat. Then, you can alert your internal security team and engage a trusted cybersecurity firm. You shouldn't contact the attackers directly. You must preserve evidence, notify law enforcement and review your backups. You have to be wary of follow-up scammers who contact you after to help you 'regain access.' - Nick Chandi, Forwardly
7. Control Communications And Protect Reputation
A crucial first step is to maintain internal and external communications with a cyber crisis strategy. To avoid panic, disinformation and evidence leaks, you should control information before negotiation. Communication plans ensure that only selected spokespeople contact stakeholders—employees, consumers, media and possibly attackers. Clear and regulated communication safeguards reputation and aligns reaction teams around the facts. - Neil Anders, Trusted Rate, Inc.
8. Contain The Breach And Coordinate A Calm Response
The first step is to immediately isolate any affected systems to stop the spread of the breach. Then, you can loop in your cybersecurity team and legal counsel to begin a coordinated, well-documented response. You shouldn't rush to communicate—take time to assess the situation, preserve evidence and follow a calm, strategic plan. In moments like this, speed matters—but so does clarity. - Michael Foguth, Foguth Financial Group
9. Assemble Experts And Plan Strategically
If targeted by cyber extortion, the first step is to assemble a multidisciplinary 'war room' that includes IT, legal, communications, behavioral and negotiation experts. This rapid, coordinated response blends technical skill with strategic insight, helping protect your reputation, navigate legal risks and stay ahead of evolving threats. - Elie Nour, NOUR PRIVATE WEALTH
10. Disconnect Systems And Prevent Escalation
Before calling the cops or tech team, you need to hit pause—literally. The first move should be to disconnect everything under attack. You should pull the plug on infected systems to stop the spread, like slamming a door on a house fire. Most panic and go straight to reacting, but containment, not chaos, is the real first move. - Karla Dennis, KDA Inc.
11. Respond Swiftly And Lead Decisively
Drawing from my experience leading a company, my advice is clear: If your business faces cyber extortion, immediately isolate affected systems and activate your incident response plan. You should bring in cybersecurity experts to assess and contain the damage. Acting swiftly and methodically not only protects your assets but also reinforces your reputation as a decisive, trustworthy leader. - Tomas Milar, Eqvista Inc.
The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.