incident response
Definition
Incident response is the organized process a business follows when a security breach, data leak, cyberattack, or other serious disruption occurs. Think of it as your emergency action plan that tells everyone exactly what to do, who to call, and how to contain the damage when something goes wrong. Having a documented incident response plan is increasingly required by law, insurance policies, and contracts with larger business partners.
Example
If a hacker breaks into your customer database and steals credit card information, your incident response plan would guide you through notifying affected customers, reporting the breach to regulators, and working with IT experts to close the security gap.
Watch Out
Many states require businesses to notify customers within a specific number of days after discovering a data breach, so a slow or disorganized response can turn a bad situation into a legal liability.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.