How to Safely Engage External Advisors During Cyber Incidents

By: Aslam Rauf

Today’s digital world is constantly changing, with cyber threats becoming more complex and evolving rapidly. This presents significant challenges for businesses in all sectors, especially those operating within critical infrastructure. These threats don’t just affect the technical aspects; they also impact how an organization operates, its legal responsibilities, and its overall strategy. To effectively navigate these complex cyber incidents, companies must engage external advisors with specialized knowledge and insights.

However, bringing in these advisors comes with challenges, especially in securely managing sensitive communications. When critical information is at risk due to a cyber breach, the communication channels used to consult external experts must maintain the highest standards of integrity. This calls for the essential need for secure out-of-band communication platforms such as ArmorText’s Secure Out of Band Collaboration™, which connects internal business users with external advisors while safeguarding all strategic communications from potential vulnerabilities that cyber actors could exploit.

Understanding Legal and Regulatory Landscapes

Dealing with the maze of legal and regulatory frameworks during a cyber incident is a tough challenge for businesses. The regulatory landscape consists of a mix of state and federal laws, each possessing distinct characteristics. The laws can vary widely, and the differences between state data breach notification laws and federal regulations can create a complex web that organizations must carefully navigate to stay compliant.

Legal teams must develop a thorough and proactive strategy, which entails developing comprehensive playbooks or plans that outline specific actions and communications necessary for different legal situations. Given the significant expenses and reputational damage associated with data breaches, having a clear incident response plan is crucial—and it should include a deep understanding of all legal obligations across various jurisdictions.

The outlined plans empower legal advisors to respond promptly and effectively, minimizing potential liabilities and ensuring adherence to both state and federal regulations in the event of a cyber incident.

The Role of Secure Out-of-Band Communication

When a cyber incident occurs and the primary communication systems are compromised, having a reliable alternative communication method is crucial. ArmorText’s Secure Out of Band Collaboration™ platform provides an essential solution for this requirement, especially when engaging external advisors who are integral to a company’s incident response efforts.

ArmorText provides an encrypted environment where legal teams, external advisors, and internal stakeholders can communicate securely. Whether discussing legal strategies, sharing sensitive incident details, or coordinating recovery actions, ArmorText ensures that all communications are protected from potential threats that could compromise conventional communication methods.

This integrity is critical, especially if primary systems are being monitored or incapacitated by attackers. By maintaining a secure line of communication, ArmorText helps keep a company’s strategic responses confidential and protected, ensuring that external consultations do not inadvertently expose the organization to further risks.

Best Practices for Engaging External Advisors

Effectively managing a cyber incident requires not just the internal team but also the expertise of external advisors. Here are some key practices for working with these advisors:

1. Secure Communication Protocols:

• Establish clear protocols that prioritize security and confidentiality.
• Ensure all sensitive communications are conducted via secure channels, such as ArmorText’s encrypted platform, to protect data integrity and confidentiality.

2. Seamless Integration of Advisors:

• Define a clear communication chain that outlines the roles and responsibilities of each external advisor to prevent overlap or gaps in the response strategy.
• Ensure external advisors are fully integrated into the incident response framework to enhance coordination and effectiveness.

3. Preparedness and Role Clarity:

• Ensure all stakeholders, including legal teams and external advisors, are well-prepared and knowledgeable, ready to act promptly when an incident occurs.
• Clarify each participant’s role within the incident response team to guarantee a coordinated and effective strategy.

4. Rigorous Documentation Practices:

• Maintain thorough records of all decisions and communications during an incident.
• This documentation provides a transparent trail that is invaluable for post-incident reviews and compliance with regulatory requirements.

By adhering to these best practices, organizations can fully harness the expertise of their external advisors, turning reactive responses into proactive safeguarding measures.

Real-World Examples of Effective Cyber Incident Response

The real-world efficacy of integrating external advisors into cyber incident response can be observed through multiple use cases.

For instance, during the highly publicized SolarWinds attack, the importance of secure out-of-band communication was starkly highlighted. Companies that had established robust secure communication channels with external advisors, including legal and cybersecurity experts, were able to coordinate their responses effectively. This strategic setup prevented potential leaks and unauthorized access, ensuring that strategic response plans remained confidential and effective.

Moreover, a common pitfall in cyber incident management is the mishandling of sensitive information during a breach. Many organizations have suffered additional damages due to compromised communication systems. However, those that implemented secure communication strategies, like the encryption solutions provided by ArmorText, were able to safeguard their discussions about incident resolution. This preemptive measure protected them from exacerbating the situation by leaking strategic response details to potential adversaries.

These examples underscore the dual benefits of engaging external advisors and employing secure, encrypted communication platforms. By adhering to these practices, businesses not only enhance their resilience against cyber threats but also align their response strategies with best practices, minimizing legal and operational risks.

Conclusion

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex, requiring businesses to have a well-coordinated and proactive approach to incident response. External advisors are crucial because they bring specialized knowledge and experience, helping companies navigate through regulatory requirements and operational challenges. Using secure communication platforms like ArmorText’s Secure Out of Band Collaboration™ is critical in this context, as it ensures that all interactions during a cyber incident are protected from potential exposure.

Businesses must continually assess and refine their incident response strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats. Incorporating secure, reliable communication tools is not just an option but a necessity in the modern digital era. ArmorText provides an essential solution that safeguards communications, ensuring that strategic discussions remain confidential and effective, even under duress.

Consider integrating ArmorText’s Secure Out of Band Collaboration™ to enhance your ability to engage with external advisors securely and respond to cyber incidents with the agility and precision required in today’s interconnected world. Contact ArmorText today to explore how we can help secure your operational and communication resilience.