Cyberattack Response Policy

The Cyberattack Response Policy provides a structured, step-by-step framework to help businesses detect, contain, and recover from cyberattacks. This template is designed for organisations of all sizes that store or process digital data and need to ensure they can respond swiftly and lawfully to cyber incidents such as hacking, data theft, or system compromise.

What Does this Cyberattack Response Policy Do?

This policy sets out clear procedures for identifying and reporting suspected cyberattacks, coordinating an internal response, and managing communication with regulators, law enforcement, customers, and third parties. It helps ensure compliance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 (NIS Regulations).

The policy supports the creation of an Incident Response Team, establishes escalation routes for different severity levels of attack, and provides a consistent method for containment, eradication, and system recovery.

It also includes detailed record-keeping requirements, ensuring that all evidence, communications, and findings are preserved securely for investigation, audit, or legal proceedings.

Who Is This Policy For?

This document is suitable for:

• Businesses that rely on IT infrastructure, cloud services, or online platforms;
• SMEs and larger organisations that need a formal cyber incident response plan;
• Compliance, IT, or data protection officers responsible for information security governance;
• Managed service providers (MSPs) or IT consultants implementing client cyber policies.

What Are the Key Features of this Cyberattack Response Policy?

• Comprehensive Legal Context: Incorporates key UK legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Incident Classification Table: Provides practical categories (Low to Critical) with example scenarios.
• Response Procedure: Sets out clear stages — detection, containment, investigation, escalation, eradication, and recovery.
• Record Retention Schedule: Defines mandatory evidence and reporting documentation with minimum retention periods.
• Confidentiality and Integration: Cross-referenced with other templates in the Cyber & IT Policy Suite, including the Incident Response, Malware Response, and Ransomware Response Policies.

This policy is part of the Cyber & IT Policy Suite, a collection of templates designed to help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity resilience, meet compliance obligations, and respond effectively to digital threats.

This Cyberattack Response Policy is the central framework in the Simply-Docs Cyber & IT Policy Suite.

It links directly with the:

• Incident Response Policy, which establishes the overarching management structure for all types of IT incidents;
• Malware Response Policy, which provides technical and procedural guidance for handling malicious software;
• Ransomware Response Policy, which adds specific procedures and legal requirements for ransom or extortion-based attacks; and
• Phishing Response Policy, which focuses on early detection and user awareness of social-engineering threats.

Together, these documents form a cohesive set of policies that enable a business to prepare for, manage, and recover from any form of cyber incident.

This Cyberattack Response Policy contains the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Scope
3. Legal and Regulatory Context
4. Preventative Measures
5. Detection and Initial Reporting
6. Reporting Procedure
7. Response Procedure
8. Record Keeping
9. Implementation of Policy

Optional phrases / clauses are enclosed in square brackets. These should be read carefully and selected so as to be compatible with one another. Unused options should be removed from the document.

This Cyberattack Response Policy is unlocked and in .docx format. Either enter the requisite details in the highlighted fields or adjust the wording to suit your purposes.

Once you have purchased access to the appropriate document folder click on the “Download Document” link below. You will be asked what you want to do with the file. It is recommended that you save the document to a location of your choice prior to viewing.

Cyberattack Response Policy is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.