Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

• In Ireland, 721 confirmed cyber security incidents were reported in the past year, leading to 309 investigations, as per the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). (This number is significantly lower than the actual figures as most Irish cyber-attacks are not formally reported.)
• The financial losses from extreme cyber-attacks have quadrupled since 2017. -International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• A European survey from CWSI reveals that 54% of Irish companies have seen a rise in cyber security breach attempts in the last year, the highest in Europe and compared to 42% on average for European firms.
• Phishing is reported to be the highest cyber security threat in Ireland (76%), followed by human error (58%) and ransomware (46%). -CWSI.
• 75% of global security professionals consider the current threat landscape to be the most challenging in five years, underscoring the need for proactive incident response. - ISC2 Cyber Security Workforce Study 2023.
• Irish government departments reported thousands of data breaches over the past decade, resulting from cyber-attacks, unauthorised disclosures and lost devices. This highlights vulnerabilities even in public sector organisations.
• The EU's NIS2 Directive mandates Cyber Incident Response and Reporting for cyber security events. Failure to comply can lead to regulatory penalties, making an IRP essential for regulatory adherence for those organisations in scope of the Directive.

At VMGroup, we specialise in delivering tailored Incident Response solutions that empower organisations to effectively address cyber security incidents while enhancing their overall resilience. Our Incident Response experts have over 100 years’ experience in the field and are here to ensure your organisation is ready to respond, recover, and thrive in the face of cyber challenges.

Step 1: Reviewing Your Existing Procedures

VMGroup begins by conducting a comprehensive review of your current Incident Response procedures. This ensures alignment with industry best practices and identifies gaps or areas for improvement. Our expert team examines policies, protocols, and documentation to establish a solid foundation for enhancing your IR capabilities.

Step 2: Interactive Workshops for Collaboration and Insight

Following the review, VMGroup facilitates interactive workshops with your IT and incident response personnel. These sessions serve as dynamic forums for knowledge exchange, enabling us to gather critical insights into your organisation’s unique operational structure, vulnerabilities, and existing response capabilities.

During these workshops:

• We engage with key stakeholders across IT, compliance, data privacy, and senior management teams to ensure alignment with organisational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Guided discussions and scenario-based exercises help identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement within your IR framework.

Step 3: Developing Tailored Incident Response Plans and Runbooks

Based on the insights gathered, VMGroup supports the development of comprehensive Incident Response Plans and Runbooks tailored to your specific needs. These resources are designed to address your current threat landscape and provide actionable guidance during crises.

Our plans include:

• Bespoke playbooks for responding to various incident types.
• Clear roles and responsibilities for team members during incidents.
• Step-by-step procedures to ensure efficient detection, containment, eradication, and recovery.

Step 4: Training Your Teams for Effective Response

To ensure seamless implementation of updated procedures, VMGroup conducts specialised training sessions for your teams. These sessions focus on equipping personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to execute the updated IR plans effectively.

Key highlights of our training approach:

• Tailored content addressing your organisation’s unique needs.
• Practical exercises based on real-world scenarios to reinforce learning.
• A detailed summary report outlining training outcomes and attendee participation.

Step 5: Simulating Real-World Scenarios with Tabletop Exercises

VMGroup facilitates tabletop exercises designed to simulate real-world cyber security incidents. These exercises evaluate your team’s response capabilities through 2–3 carefully crafted scenarios, providing invaluable insights into strengths and areas for improvement.

After the exercise:

• We deliver a detailed report highlighting identified weaknesses, commended strengths, and actionable recommendations for improvement.
• This report serves as a critical resource for refining documentation and enhancing preparedness for future incidents.

VMGroup offers flexible IRaaS service tiers: Gold, Silver, and Bronze; catering to organisations with varying levels of support needs and budgets:

Each tier provides scalable solutions designed to enhance incident detection, response efficiency, and overall cyber security posture.

Per your requirements, VMGroup can provide;

Custom Incident Response Playbooks: Tailored incident response procedures specific to the client’s environment, ensuring quick and efficient response.

24/7 Monitoring & Response: Round-the-clock coverage with dedicated security analysts for incident detection, assessment, and resolution.

Proactive Threat Hunting: Regular, advanced threat hunting to identify and mitigate potential risks before they escalate.

Advanced Forensic Analysis: In-depth, expert forensic analysis, including root cause identification, comprehensive reports, and expert witness.

Expert Consultation: Qualified industry experts, skilled in risk assessments, mitigation, and regulatory compliance.

Full Remediation & Recovery Support: End-to-end support for containment, recovery, and long-term remediation.

Regular Security Assessments & Post-Incident Reviews: Ongoing vulnerability assessments, security posture reviews, and lessons learned after every major incident.

Compliance Readiness: Full compliance support for industry standards (GDPR, ISO27001, DORA, NIS2, PII, and more).

VMGroup’s comprehensive methodology ensures that every aspect of your organisation’s incident response framework is addressed; from initial review to real-world simulations and ongoing support. By actively involving stakeholders across departments and tailoring our services to your unique needs, we deliver solutions that not only mitigate risks but also strengthen your organisation’s resilience against evolving threats.

Plan for Success: Contact VMGroup today to explore how our Incident Response services can safeguard your organisation against cyber threats while ensuring swift recovery during crises.