Data breaches and cyber-attacks are no longer rare events. For Australian businesses of all sizes, being prepared is no longer optional. One of the most overlooked but essential parts of a company’s digital security is a clear and well-documented incident response plan. This isn’t about overcomplicating your cybersecurity strategy — it’s about being prepared with the right steps when something goes wrong.
An incident response plan outlines what your business needs to do in the event of a cyberattack or system failure. It acts like a fire drill for your IT and security teams — everyone knows their role and what to do to limit damage and recover faster.
So why is this so important?
Cyber Threats Are Real and Growing
Australian businesses are being hit with more cyber threats than ever before. From ransomware attacks on small businesses to phishing scams targeting larger enterprises, no sector is immune. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) receives thousands of reports each year, and the impact ranges from financial loss to reputational harm.
If your business stores sensitive customer data, financial records, or operational systems online — and most do — then you are a target. Having a documented plan means that when something happens, you can respond instead of panic.
What an Incident Response Plan Covers
An effective plan will do a few key things:
- Define what counts as a “security incident.”
- Assign clear roles to specific team members.
- Set a process for identifying, containing, and recovering from a breach.
- Include steps for internal and external communication.
- Ensure your business meets legal obligations around data protection.
For example, if your company suffers a data breach that affects customer information, your team needs to know how to notify customers and regulators within the required timeframe. Failing to do so can lead to fines or loss of trust.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
Many businesses only think about creating a response plan after they’ve experienced an attack. By then, it’s too late. Without preparation, it can take days — or weeks — to respond, investigate, and resume normal operations. During that time, you may be losing revenue, customers, and your reputation.
Creating a plan now means you're ready. It also helps reduce costs in the long run. A fast and organised response can prevent damage from spreading and limit the downtime for your systems.
Common Mistakes Businesses Make
Here are a few things that businesses often get wrong when it comes to response planning:
- Not updating the plan – Threats evolve, and so should your response strategies.
- Failing to train staff – Everyone, from junior employees to leadership, should know what role they play.
- Overcomplicating the plan – Simpler, clearer instructions are easier to follow during high-pressure situations.
- Ignoring third-party risks – Make sure vendors and partners are also covered.
How to Get Started
You don’t have to start from scratch. A good first step is to consult with experts who understand your industry and the types of threats you might face. Telco Broker offers useful resources to guide businesses through the importance of having a response plan and can also help with broader communications and IT support strategies.
Their recent article, “What is an Incident Response Plan & Why Does Your Business Need One?”, breaks down the concept in clear terms. It’s a helpful read for any business owner or IT manager looking to protect their digital environment.
It’s Not Just for Big Business
There’s a common myth that only large companies need this level of planning. That’s not true. Small and mid-sized businesses are often targeted specifically because attackers believe they’ll be easier to breach. Having a plan in place can be the difference between a small incident and a disaster.
Final Thought
You can’t prevent every attack. But you can control how well your business responds. A solid incident response plan is one of the smartest moves you can make to protect your operations, your data, and your customers.