The First 24 Hours After a Hack: Managed IT’s Plan

Getting hacked is every business owner’s nightmare. One minute, everything is running smoothly; the next, you’re locked out of your systems, your data is compromised, and you’re scrambling to figure out what went wrong. The first 24 hours after a cyberattack are critical—how you respond can determine whether your business recovers quickly or faces long-term damage.

This is where a Managed IT provider steps in. With a structured incident response plan, they contain the damage, restore operations, and strengthen security to prevent future attacks. Let’s walk through exactly what happens in those crucial first 24 hours.

Phase 1: Immediate Threat Containment (0-4 Hours)

Identifying the Scope of the Attack

When an attack happens, the first step is figuring out what’s been compromised. Is it customer data, financial records, or entire systems? Or is it a minor breach with limited impact? Managed IT teams use advanced monitoring tools to quickly analyze the situation and determine the best course of action.

🔹 A Real-Life Example: A client once called us in a panic because employees couldn’t access files stored on their shared drive. We discovered ransomware had encrypted the data and left a demand for payment. Thanks to their Managed IT plan, we were able to act fast, saving them from permanent data loss.

Isolating Affected Systems

The next step is to stop the attack from spreading. Managed IT specialists:
✅ Disconnect infected computers from the network.
✅ Restrict user access to compromised accounts.
✅ Shut down services that could allow hackers to move further into the system.

This containment phase is crucial—quick action prevents ransomware from encrypting more files or a hacker from escalating their privileges.

Securing Critical Business Operations

Even during a cyberattack, business can’t just stop. Managed IT ensures essential operations—like email, payment processing, and customer service—stay functional by rerouting traffic, using backup systems, or enabling cloud failover solutions.

Phase 2: Investigating the Breach (4-12 Hours)

Assessing the Type of Attack

Not all hacks are the same. The Managed IT team analyzes whether it’s:

• Ransomware: Locking files and demanding payment.
• Phishing: Employees tricked into giving away passwords.
• Malware/Virus: Software infecting systems.
• Insider Threat: A disgruntled employee causing harm.

Each type requires a different recovery strategy—for instance, ransomware needs backups restored, while phishing requires password resets and employee training.

Gathering Evidence

A detailed investigation helps uncover how the attack happened. Managed IT:

• Reviews system logs to track hacker activity.
• Preserves forensic evidence for legal and compliance purposes.
• Checks for data leaks that may require customer notification.

📌 Why this matters: In many industries (especially healthcare and finance), businesses are required by law to report breaches. Proper documentation ensures compliance and avoids legal trouble.

Communicating Internally

One of the biggest mistakes companies make is not informing employees soon enough. Managed IT ensures that:

• Employees know what to do (or NOT do) to avoid worsening the situation.
• Leadership is kept in the loop with real-time updates.
• A plan is in place for notifying affected customers, if necessary.

Avoid this mistake: I once saw a company where an employee ignored a suspicious pop-up, thinking it was a minor issue. Hours later, their entire system was locked down. If they had reported it sooner, we could have stopped the attack before it got worse.

Phase 3: Mitigation and Recovery (12-24 Hours)

Applying Security Patches & Fixes

Once the immediate threat is under control, it’s time to close the security gaps that allowed the attack in the first place. Managed IT teams:
✅ Patch vulnerabilities that hackers exploited.
✅ Reset passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
✅ Strengthen firewall and antivirus protections to prevent repeat attacks.

Restoring Backups

If files or systems were compromised, having secure, up-to-date backups is a lifesaver. Managed IT professionals:

• Verify backups weren’t affected by the attack.
• Restore systems from clean backups (cloud or offsite storage).
• Ensure no residual threats remain in the recovered data.

Lesson learned: A retail business once suffered a ransomware attack, but their Managed IT provider had automatic nightly backups in place. Within hours, we restored their system without paying the ransom.

Notifying Affected Parties

If customer data was compromised, transparency is key. Depending on the severity, a business may need to:

• Inform customers if their data was exposed.
• Report the breach to regulatory authorities.
• Provide identity theft protection services, if needed.

Managed IT helps businesses navigate these legal and ethical responsibilities while minimizing damage to their reputation.

Preventing Future Attacks

Reviewing the Incident

After recovery, the Managed IT team conducts a full post-mortem to analyze:

• What went wrong.
• How the attack was detected and stopped.
• What security improvements are needed to prevent a repeat.

This is where cybersecurity policies get refined and businesses learn from their mistakes.

Strengthening Security Measures

Prevention is always better than cure. Managed IT providers implement:

• More advanced endpoint security (antivirus, firewalls, AI-based threat detection).
• Stronger email filtering to block phishing attempts.
• Routine vulnerability assessments to stay ahead of hackers.

Pro Tip: One business significantly reduced phishing attacks after we introduced a simulated phishing training program. Employees who failed the test were retrained until they learned to spot scams.

Continuous Monitoring and Managed IT Support

Cyber threats don’t work 9 to 5, and neither should your IT defense. Managed IT ensures:
✅ 24/7 system monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time.
✅ Automated alerts for potential security breaches.
✅ Ongoing support to handle new threats as they emerge.

Conclusion: Why Preparedness Matters

The first 24 hours after a hack can make or break a business. Without a structured plan, companies face prolonged downtime, data loss, and reputational damage.

But with Managed IT on your side, the response is swift, efficient, and focused on recovery and prevention. Whether it’s ransomware, phishing, or a data breach, the right IT strategy ensures your business can bounce back stronger.

Want to make sure your business is prepared for the worst? Let’s talk about proactive Managed IT solutions today.