.png)
Why the First 72 Hours Define the Outcome
In a cyber crisis, time is the most precious resource. The actions your organisation takes, or fails to take, in the first 72 hours often determine whether the event becomes a contained disruption or a prolonged, damaging breach. From ransomware outbreaks to insider compromises, early decisions shape the technical, legal, and reputational consequences.
This article outlines what should happen in those crucial first three days, and how elite incident response practices can protect both operations and trust.
Hour 0–24: Contain and Stabilise
- Detect and Validate the Incident
Confirm whether unusual activity is a false positive or a genuine attack. - Isolate Affected Systems
Prevent spread by segmenting or shutting down compromised endpoints and servers. - Preserve Evidence
Capture logs, memory dumps, and network traffic to support forensic investigation. - Establish Incident Command
Designate a central response team with authority to make rapid decisions. - Communicate Internally
Inform executives, security teams, and key stakeholders. Silence speculation.
At this stage, speed matters but so does precision. A rushed response can destroy critical forensic evidence, making recovery and regulatory reporting far harder.
Hour 24–48: Investigate and Assess Impact
- Conduct Forensic Analysis
Determine how the attacker gained entry, what they accessed, and whether persistence exists. - Scope the Compromise
Identify affected systems, accounts, and data. - Evaluate Business Impact
Translate technical findings into operational and financial terms for executives. - Liaise with External Partners
Engage insurers, regulators, and, if necessary, law enforcement. - Begin Stakeholder Planning
Prepare communication strategies for staff, customers, and media.
At this point, organisations must balance urgency with discipline. Rushed disclosure without facts can undermine trust, while delays can create regulatory risk.
Hour 48–72: Respond and Communicate
- Eradicate the Threat
Remove malware, backdoors, or unauthorised accounts. - Restore Operations
Begin controlled recovery of systems and data from clean backups. - Coordinate Messaging
Work with legal and communications teams to deliver accurate, consistent statements. - Support Stakeholders
Provide regulators, insurers, and partners with evidence-based updates. - Document Everything
Maintain a clear record of actions taken to support audits, insurance claims, and potential litigation.
Beyond 72 Hours: Lessons for the Future
The crisis does not end after containment. A post-incident review is essential to:
- Identify root causes
- Strengthen detection and response capabilities
- Refine incident response playbooks and tabletop exercises
- Provide boards with a roadmap for resilience improvements
How We Guide the First 72 Hours
Parabellum’s Incident Response services provide elite, 24/7 support when organisations face cyber crises. Our consultants:
- Contain active threats with precision
- Conduct forensic investigations without compromising evidence
- Coordinate with insurers, regulators, and law enforcement
- Integrate specialist legal and communications experts from our partner network
- Deliver clear, board-ready reporting throughout the incident lifecycle
The result is confidence, knowing that your organisation is supported by a seasoned team capable of guiding you through the most critical moments of a cyber crisis.
Prepare Before It Happens
The first 72 hours of a cyber incident set the stage for everything that follows. Organisations that act quickly, preserve evidence, and communicate consistently emerge stronger. Those that hesitate face longer downtime, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties.
Contact us to learn more about our Incident Response services & retainer.
.png)
.png)
.jpg)