What action should be taken after a cybersecurity incident?

Conducting a post-incident review to assess responses and improve protocols is critical after a cybersecurity incident. This process allows an organization to evaluate the effectiveness of the actions taken during the incident, identify what worked well and what did not, and determine the underlying causes of the incident.

By systematically analyzing the incident, organizations can identify weaknesses in their cyber defenses, uncover lessons learned, and develop better practices and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. This proactive approach not only enhances the organization’s readiness but also strengthens its overall cybersecurity posture.

The other actions do not address the need for improvement and learning from incidents. Rebuilding the system from scratch may seem comprehensive, but it does not ensure that the same vulnerabilities won't be exploited again unless a review is conducted. Ignoring the incident completely fails to acknowledge the risks and the need for improvement, leaving the organization vulnerable to future incidents. Informing only the affected users lacks the broader organizational perspective necessary to implement systemic changes and could leave other parts of the system unprotected.