Cybersecurity incidents aren’t just a possibility anymore—they’re an inevitability. Whether it’s a phishing attack, ransomware, or a third-party breach, today’s organizations must be prepared to respond swiftly and strategically.

In this episode of Decrypting IT, Cisco’s Steve McNutt breaks down the anatomy of a breach and what really matters in those critical hours and days after a security event. It’s not about if you’ll face a breach—but when—and how well you’ll respond.

Here are the key insights from the episode.

Breaches Are Inevitable. Your Response Is What Matters.

Most businesses assume their cybersecurity tools will prevent all threats, but that’s not reality. Even the most secure environments can be compromised, especially through human error, supply chain vulnerabilities, or increasingly sophisticated attackers.

Steve emphasizes that what separates resilient organizations from the rest is their ability to respond—not their ability to avoid every single threat.

The First 24 Hours After a Breach Are Critical

Once a breach is detected, every minute counts. During the podcast, McNutt walks through what should happen in those first 24 hours:

• Contain the breach: Disconnect affected systems from the network if necessary.

• Activate your incident response plan: This should include roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols.

• Document everything: Logging timelines and actions is essential for both internal review and potential legal compliance.

• Engage third-party experts: Cyber insurance providers or MSSPs often have breach coaches or forensic partners ready to help.

Common Mistakes Businesses Make During a Breach

The pressure of a cyber incident often causes missteps. A few frequent errors that were highlights:

• Waiting too long to act or escalating internally

• Failing to notify the right internal and external stakeholders

• Not having backups or not knowing how to restore from them

• Talking to the press or public too soon without a coordinated response

Having a well-documented playbook and practicing tabletop exercises can significantly reduce panic and mistakes when it really matters.

Recovery Isn’t Just Technical—It’s Operational and Reputational

After the initial threat is contained, businesses must focus on:

• Restoring critical operations

• Communicating clearly with customers and regulators

• Learning from the incident and making improvements

Many breaches don’t just impact your systems—they erode trust. A poor communication strategy can often do more damage than the breach itself.

Final Thoughts: Prepare Before You’re Forced To

If your organization doesn’t have a response plan, now is the time to build one. If you have a plan, test it. Cyber resilience isn’t just about defense—it’s about how quickly and effectively you can bounce back.

Want to hear the full conversation?
🎧 Listen to Navigating Breaches: Strategies for Response