Why Your Company Needs an Incident Response Plan

Cybercriminals strike without warning, often at the worst possible moment. Systems go down, data is locked or stolen, and panic quickly sets in. Companies that are well prepared can significantly limit the damage. A well-designed Incident Response Plan makes all the difference.

At Easi, we help companies prepare for incidents with DFIR (Digital Forensics & Incident Response). An incident response plan is more than a document: it determines whether an incident becomes a short disruption or escalates into a full-blown crisis.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published as an interview with Christophe Verhaeghe in Voka Magazine Ondernemers | Vlaams-Brabant 2025 #9.

What Is DFIR and Why Is It Crucial Today?

DFIR stands for Digital Forensics & Incident Response. Incident response focuses on containing and resolving an incident as quickly as possible. Digital forensics investigates what exactly happened: how the attacker got in, what data was affected, and which systems were compromised.

Cyber incidents are becoming more complex and often have legal, operational, and reputational consequences. DFIR ensures incidents are not only resolved, but also properly analyzed and documented—which is increasingly important for insurers, auditors, and authorities.

Why an Incident Response Plan Limits Damage

An incident response plan clearly defines what needs to happen during a cyber incident: Who takes which decisions? Who communicates with whom? Which systems have priority?

By testing and refining the plan through exercises, organizations identify weak points in advance and strengthen their response capabilities. This turns an incident response plan into a strategic tool that increases business resilience.

How Do You Prepare Employees for a Cyber Incident?

Technology alone is not enough. Employees play a key role in detecting incidents early.

In practice, this means employees should:

• recognize suspicious emails or behavior,
• know when and how to report an incident,
• understand which actions they should not take.

Just like in sports, regular training works better than one-off sessions. Well-trained employees stay alert, report issues faster, and actively contribute to the organization’s digital security.

What Should You Do First When an Incident Is Detected?

When a cyber incident is identified, speed and structure are essential. An effective incident response plan is activated immediately and ensures everyone follows predefined steps.

This approach helps to:

• limit damage,
• clarify responsibilities,
• maintain business continuity as much as possible.

A structured response can mean the difference between a short interruption and a long-lasting crisis with serious financial and operational impact.

The Most Important Advice for Businesses

Preparation does not stop once the plan exists. Regular exercises such as simulations or tabletop scenarios are just as important as technical security measures.

Small improvements, applied consistently, make a major difference over time and significantly improve an organization’s readiness.

Need Help With Cyber Incidents or Preparation?

An incident response plan on paper is one thing. In reality, things rarely go exactly as planned. That’s why having experienced support is essential.

It is crucial that incidents are handled according to clear procedures and recognized standards. Easi is certified as a TF-CSIRT, which guarantees that cyber incidents are managed according to formal guidelines and in coordination with relevant authorities.

Our DFIR specialists are available 24/7 to:

• investigate and resolve cyber incidents,
• support organizations during crises,
• design and improve robust incident response plans.

👉 Learn more about our Cyber Forensics & Incident Recovery services or contact us at +32 3 615 01 35 for immediate assistance.