A cybersecurity incident rarely announces itself. Suspicious system activity, compromised email accounts, unexplained data access – suddenly your business faces a situation with no emergency button to press.
In these moments, the biggest risk factor isn’t the technology itself. It’s the panic. It’s the hasty decisions. It’s the lack of clear structure when every minute counts.
This 24-Hour Incident Response Guide for SMEs was created exactly for this situation.
It walks you step by step through the most critical phases of a security incident – from the first minutes to the first structured decisions. All without requiring deep technical expertise.
The focus isn’t on fixing systems. The focus is on maintaining control.
What this guide does for you
When a security incident occurs, you probably don’t have time to work through hundreds of pages of technical documentation. You need clear orientation. Immediately.
This guide helps you:
✓ Gain clear orientation under pressure
In chaotic situations, the guide provides you with a mental map. You know where you stand, what comes next, and which decisions actually matter right now.
✓ Avoid costly mistakes in the first hours
Most damage doesn’t come from the attack itself, but from wrong reactions: deleting evidence too quickly, shutting down critical systems prematurely, or uncontrolled communication. The guide shows you exactly what you should not do.
✓ Create structure – even without your own security team
You don’t need to be an IT security expert to act thoughtfully. The guide gives you a framework that works – even if you don’t normally manage cybersecurity incidents.
✓ Support calm and factual internal communication
Panic is contagious. The guide helps you inform employees appropriately without creating fear, while clearly communicating necessary measures.
✓ Make informed decisions about next steps and external support
When should you bring in an external service provider? When should you inform the police? When should you contact customers? The guide helps you make these decisions based on facts, not uncertainty.
The guide is written in clear, non-technical language
You won’t find cryptic technical jargon, confusing technical instructions, or overly complex flowcharts here.
This guide is written for managing directors, business owners, and managers – people who carry responsibility but don’t necessarily have an IT background.
Each section is written so you immediately understand why a measure is important, what you should do concretely, and what the typical pitfalls are.
What’s included in the guide
Section 1 – The First 60 Minutes: Stabilize Instead of Reacting
The very first phase is the most dangerous. This is where most mistakes are made because emotions take control.
What you’ll learn in this section:
- How to stay calm and capable of acting despite stress
- How to avoid impulsive actions that worsen the situation
- How to define clear responsibilities – who does what, who decides
- How to use the first minutes to create a solid foundation for everything that follows
Result: You have a clear head and know who takes which role.
Section 2 – Containment (Hours 1–4): Limit the Impact Without Creating New Risks
Now it’s about limiting the damage – but without creating new problems or destroying important evidence in the process.
What you’ll learn in this section:
- Which systems and access points you should isolate – and in what order
- What you absolutely should not touch (and why)
- Why restraint in this phase is often smarter than quick action
- How to prevent the incident from spreading further
Result: The incident is contained without you accidentally deleting important traces or escalating the situation.
Section 3 – Gaining Clarity (Hours 4–12): Facts Before Assumptions
Panic leads to speculation. Speculation leads to wrong decisions. Now is the moment to gather facts.
What you’ll learn in this section:
- How to systematically assess affected systems, data, and access
- How to understand what actually happened – without guessing
- When is the right time to bring in external experts
- How to make an initial realistic assessment of the damage
Result: You have a clear picture of the situation and can make informed decisions.
Section 4 – Communication & Decisions (Hours 12–24): Clarity Internally, Control Externally
Now it’s about strategic decisions: Who do you inform? When? How?
What you’ll learn in this section:
- How to inform employees appropriately – transparently, but without triggering panic
- How to control and evaluate external communication (customers, partners, authorities)
- Which legal and regulatory obligations may apply to you
- How to decide whether and when public communication is necessary
Result: You communicate professionally, protect your business, and simultaneously fulfill your obligations.
Bonus: The “Don’t Do” List for the First 24 Hours
A concise, one-page overview of the most common mistakes made in the first 24 hours.
Knowing what you should not do can often be more important than knowing what you should do.
This list is the difference between recovery and escalation.
Who this guide is made for
- SME owners and managing directors who carry responsibility but don’t have an IT security background
- Managers without a technical security background who need to act in a structured way in an emergency
- Companies without a dedicated cybersecurity team who still want to be prepared
- Organizations that want structure instead of improvisation – especially in critical situations
What this guide is not
❌ Not a technical repair manual
This guide doesn’t explain how to configure firewalls or remove malware. It helps you make decisions and maintain control.
❌ Not a replacement for professional incident response services
If you have a serious incident, you need experts. This guide helps you use the time until they arrive meaningfully – and decide when you actually need them.
❌ Not a fear-based or worst-case document
This guide isn’t meant to frighten you. It’s meant to give you confidence. Every page is designed to strengthen your ability to act, not paralyze it.
It is a decision-stabilizing guide for the most critical first 24 hours
Format & Delivery
PDF download
Instant access after purchase – no waiting, no delay.
Suitable for digital use or printing
Whether you want to read it on screen or have it printed and ready at hand – both work.
In the first hours of a cybersecurity incident, structure and calm decision-making matter more than technology. Technical problems can be solved. But wrong decisions made in panic can have repercussions for weeks. This guide helps you stay in control when it matters most. Not just a guide, but a system: Receive precise instructions for the first 24 hours of a cyber attack, including on-demand support via Slack/Teams directly from me. I’ll help you keep a cool head in the heat of the moment and avoid fatal mistakes.