What to Do After a Cyber Attack: First 5 Steps for Atlanta SMBs

What to Do After a Cyber Attack: First 5 Steps for Atlanta SMBs

Keywords: cyber attack response, SMB cybersecurity Atlanta, data breach steps, incident recovery Atlanta, post-cyberattack checklist

1. Isolate the Threat Immediately

First, disconnect affected systems.

If a cyberattack hits your business, time is critical. Unplug or disable network access for infected computers and devices to stop the spread.

• ✅ Disconnect from Wi-Fi and local networks
• ✅ Disable remote access (RDP, VPN)
• ✅ Avoid shutting down servers unless instructed by professionals

Why it matters: Isolating the issue prevents deeper infiltration and data loss.

2. Alert Internal Teams and Leadership

Communication is key.

Notify your leadership team and all relevant employees—especially IT and compliance staff.

Make sure everyone knows:

• Not to use impacted systems
• Who to report suspicious behavior to
• That client communication may be temporarily paused

If you have an incident response plan, activate it now.

3. Call Your Managed IT Provider (or Cybersecurity Team)

Don’t go it alone.

Small businesses in Atlanta benefit greatly from managed IT services during a crisis. Contact your MSP (like TrueITpros) right away.

Here’s what a qualified provider will do:

• Run forensic scans
• Contain the breach
• Begin recovery and backups
• Document everything for legal and compliance

Tip: If you don’t have an MSP, now is the time to find one.

4. Preserve Evidence and Document Everything

This step protects you legally and helps future prevention.

Create a log of:

• When and how the attack started
• Systems affected
• Actions taken at every stage
• Emails or messages received (e.g., phishing)

This documentation is crucial for:

• Cyber insurance claims
• Law enforcement reports
• Internal audits and compliance

5. Notify Affected Parties and Authorities

Transparency builds trust.

If sensitive data was exposed (client info, financial data, HIPAA-covered records), you may be legally required to inform:

• Customers and vendors
• State and federal regulators
• Law enforcement or FBI (via IC3.gov)

In Georgia, data breach notification laws require businesses to act without unreasonable delay.

Use clear, calm messaging when contacting stakeholders.

Bonus: Prevent the Next Cyberattack

Once the incident is under control, use the experience to improve your defenses.

Take these steps:

• Audit your cybersecurity stack
• Educate employees on phishing and social engineering
• Enforce strong password policies and MFA
• Back up critical data regularly (off-site and encrypted)
• Partner with a local IT expert like TrueITpros for 24/7 monitoring

✅ Key Takeaways for Atlanta SMBs

📌 Quick Checklist: What to Do After a Cyberattack

(Perfect for printing or saving)

• 🔌 Disconnect affected systems
• 📣 Alert leadership and teams
• 📞 Contact IT professionals or MSP
• 🧾 Preserve all evidence
• 📨 Notify authorities and clients

Final Thoughts

Cyberattacks are scary—but with the right response, your business can recover stronger than ever.

If you’re in Atlanta and need professional help, working with a local managed IT services provider can make the difference between chaos and control.

To learn more about how trueITpros can help your company with cyberattack recovery and Managed IT Services in Atlanta, contact us at www.trueitpros.com/contact

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