Building Your First Incident Response Plan: A Guide for Alaska Small Business Owners | Borealis Security

Understanding the threat landscape is the first step in effective incident response planning. Alaska small businesses face several predominant cybersecurity threats, each requiring specific response strategies:

Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees receive 350% more social engineering attacks than larger companies. These attacks exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, making them particularly effective against operations without comprehensive security training programs. Alaska's Attorney General has specifically warned about phishing campaigns targeting credit union members in the state, demonstrating that attackers often adapt their techniques to regional contexts.

Ransomware

Ransomware continues to pose a significant threat, with 82% of ransomware attacks targeting companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, and 37% specifically targeting businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Alaska has not been immune—the City of Valdez notably fell victim to a ransomware attack that resulted in the payment of four bitcoin to recover stolen city data.

For small businesses in remote Alaskan communities, ransomware presents a particularly challenging scenario, as limited connectivity options can hamper recovery efforts and access to external cybersecurity resources.

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Report, business email compromise is consistently the most costly cybercrime type for Alaskans. These sophisticated scams involve criminals compromising legitimate email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to conduct unauthorized transfers of funds.

Malware and Credential Theft

General malware infections represent 18% of cyberattacks against small businesses, while credential theft is involved in 80% of hacking incidents. For Alaska businesses, these threats can be exacerbated by limited IT resources and challenges in maintaining current security measures, particularly in more remote locations.

Understanding these threats and their potential business impacts is crucial for developing an incident response plan that addresses your specific vulnerabilities. The most effective plans acknowledge both the general threat landscape and the unique circumstances of operating in Alaska's diverse business environment.

An effective incident response plan for Alaska small businesses doesn't need to be hundreds of pages long, but it should comprehensively address several critical components:

1. Executive Leadership and Policy Statement

Your plan should begin with a clear policy statement approved by senior leadership. This demonstrates organizational commitment and establishes the authority needed to implement the plan when necessary. For small business owners wearing multiple hats, this means officially acknowledging the importance of incident response to your operations.

2. Incident Response Team Structure

Define who will respond to security incidents, including both internal personnel and external resources like IT service providers, legal counsel, or cybersecurity specialists. In smaller organizations, individuals may fulfill multiple roles, but responsibilities should be clearly documented.

For Alaska businesses with limited in-house IT capabilities, this section should include contact information for pre-vetted external resources who can provide remote or on-site assistance during an incident.

3. Incident Classification Framework

Not all security incidents require the same level of response. Develop a classification system (typically Low, Medium, High, and Critical) based on factors like:

• Potential impact on business operations
• Sensitivity of affected data
• Scope of the incident (number of systems affected)
• Legal or regulatory reporting requirements

Each classification level should trigger specific procedures and escalation paths.

4. Detection and Identification Procedures

Document how potential incidents will be detected, including:

• Technological tools and monitoring systems
• Staff reporting procedures
• Indicators of compromise
• Regular log review processes

5. Containment, Eradication, and Recovery Procedures

Outline the steps your team will take to:

• Contain the incident and prevent further damage
• Eliminate the threat from your environment
• Restore normal business operations
• Document the incident throughout the process

These procedures should account for different incident types (malware, phishing, ransomware, etc.) and include decision trees for common scenarios.

6. Communication Plan

Develop communication templates and protocols for notifying:

• Internal stakeholders and employees
• Customers and business partners
• Regulatory authorities (as required by Alaska law)
• Law enforcement agencies
• Media (if necessary)

In the Alaska context, include alternative communication methods in case primary channels are compromised or unavailable due to connectivity issues.

7. Post-Incident Analysis and Lessons Learned

After resolving an incident, document:

• Root cause analysis findings
• Effectiveness of the response
• Required security improvements
• Process improvements for future incidents

Remember that the goal of an incident response plan is to provide clear guidance during high-stress situations. The plan should be detailed enough to be useful but simple enough to be followed when time is critical and normal operations are disrupted.

Creating your first incident response plan may seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes the process much more approachable. Here's a practical guide for Alaska small business owners:

Step 1: Establish Your Incident Response Team

Start by identifying who will be involved in responding to security incidents:

• Team Leader: Often the business owner, senior manager, or IT leader who can make critical decisions quickly
• Technical Support: Internal IT staff or your external IT service provider
• Communications Coordinator: Responsible for internal and external communications
• Documentation Lead: Records all actions taken during the incident
• External Resources: Legal counsel, cybersecurity specialists, insurance contacts

For very small businesses, one person might fulfill multiple roles. The key is to clearly document who is responsible for what, including after-hours contact information.

"Even a three-person business can have an effective incident response team if roles are clearly defined and external resources are identified in advance. The worst time to look for help is during an active incident." — Sarah Johnson, Chief Security Officer

Step 2: Identify and Prioritize Your Critical Assets

Conduct a basic risk assessment to identify your most important assets:

1. List all critical business systems (e.g., point-of-sale, customer database, email)
2. Identify important data types (customer information, financial records, intellectual property)
3. Rank assets based on their importance to operations and sensitivity
4. Document dependencies between systems

This prioritization will help you focus your response efforts during an incident when resources may be limited.

Step 3: Develop Your Incident Classification System

Create a simple tiered system to categorize security incidents. For most small businesses, three or four levels are sufficient:

For each level, define:

• Who must be notified
• Response timeframes
• Escalation procedures
• Documentation requirements
• External reporting obligations (especially for Level 3 and 4 incidents that may trigger Alaska's data breach notification requirements)

Step 4: Document Your Incident Response Procedures

For each type of common incident, create step-by-step procedures that include:

Detection and Identification

• Common indicators of compromise
• Log review and monitoring practices
• Employee reporting procedures
• Initial assessment process

Containment Strategies

• Short-term containment (e.g., isolating affected systems)
• Long-term containment (e.g., applying temporary security patches)
• Evidence preservation methods

Eradication and Recovery

• Malware removal procedures
• System rebuilding guidelines
• Secure backup restoration processes
• Verification procedures to ensure threats are eliminated

Step 5: Create Your Communication Plan

Develop communication templates for different stakeholders:

• Internal team notifications
• All-staff updates
• Customer notifications (compliant with Alaska data breach laws)
• Regulatory disclosures
• Media statements (if necessary)

Include in your plan:

• Who is authorized to communicate with each group
• Approval processes for external communications
• Secure communication channels to use during incidents

Step 6: Document Recovery and Follow-up Procedures

Outline how you'll return to normal operations after an incident:

• System restoration priorities
• Testing procedures before returning systems to production
• Monitoring requirements for recently compromised systems
• Post-incident review process and template

Step 7: Compile Resources and References

Include an appendix with useful resources:

• Contact information for all team members and external resources
• System inventories and network diagrams
• Backup and recovery procedures
• Links to relevant security tools and documentation
• Alaska-specific reporting requirements and contact information

Remember that your first incident response plan doesn't need to be perfect. The goal is to create a usable document that provides guidance during stressful situations. You can refine and expand the plan over time based on testing and real-world experiences.

Operating a business in Alaska presents unique challenges for cybersecurity incident response. Your plan should address these Alaska-specific considerations:

Regulatory Requirements

Alaska has specific data breach notification requirements that must be factored into your incident response planning:

• The Alaska Personal Information Protection Act (APIPA) requires businesses to implement reasonable security procedures to protect personal information.
• Following a breach, affected Alaska residents must be notified "in the most expeditious time possible and without unreasonable delay."
• If more than 1,000 Alaska residents are affected, you must also notify consumer reporting agencies.
• Failure to comply can result in civil penalties up to $500 per resident (maximum $50,000).

Your incident response plan should include documentation about these requirements and template notifications that comply with Alaska law.

Geographic and Connectivity Challenges

Alaska's vast geography and remote communities create unique incident response challenges:

Remote Location Considerations

• Limited On-Site Support: Identify remote support options for locations where physical access by IT specialists may be delayed or impossible during certain seasons.
• Travel Contingencies: Include alternative transportation methods if roads are unavailable due to weather conditions.
• Equipment Availability: Maintain essential security hardware on-site, as shipping replacements to remote locations can cause significant delays.

Connectivity Issues

• Backup Communication Methods: Document alternative communication channels when primary internet connections are down or compromised.
• Bandwidth Limitations: Plan for scenarios where limited bandwidth restricts your ability to download security updates or remotely access systems.
• Satellite Dependency: For businesses relying on satellite connectivity, include procedures for higher-latency environments and periodic connectivity losses.

Seasonal Business Considerations

Many Alaska businesses experience significant seasonal variations in operations:

• Tourism and Fishing Operations: Ensure your incident response plan accounts for higher-stakes summer seasons when disruptions can have maximum financial impact.
• Seasonal Staffing: If your business employs seasonal workers, document how incident response roles shift during different operational periods.
• Off-Season Planning: Schedule major security updates and incident response testing during lower-volume periods.

Local Resource Availability

Identify Alaska-specific resources available for incident response:

• Local IT Service Providers: Build relationships with providers who understand Alaska's unique operating environment.
• Regional Support Networks: Connect with industry associations and chambers of commerce that can provide guidance during incidents.
• Government Resources: The Alaska Small Business Development Center offers cybersecurity guidance specifically for Alaska businesses.
• Law Enforcement Contacts: Maintain contact information for both Alaska State Troopers and your local police department's cyber crime resources.

By addressing these Alaska-specific factors in your incident response planning, you'll be better prepared to handle cybersecurity incidents effectively, even with the unique challenges that come with operating in America's northernmost state.

Developing an incident response plan from scratch can be daunting. Fortunately, several templates and frameworks are available that can be adapted for Alaska small businesses:

Recommended Templates and Frameworks

1. NIST Computer Security Incident Handling Guide (SP 800-61)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology offers comprehensive guidance that can be scaled for small businesses. The four-phase approach (Preparation, Detection & Analysis, Containment, and Post-Incident Activity) provides a solid foundation for any incident response plan.

Access the NIST guide

2. FCC Cybersecurity Planning Guide

The Federal Communications Commission created a planning guide specifically for small businesses that includes a section on incident response with customizable templates.

Access the FCC Cyberplanner

3. SANS Incident Handler's Handbook

Offers practical worksheets and checklists that can be adapted for businesses of any size.

Access the SANS handbook

4. Alaska-Specific Resources

The Alaska Small Business Development Center provides resources specifically designed for the state's business environment:

• Cybersecurity guides tailored to Alaska businesses
• Templates that incorporate state regulatory requirements
• Directory of local cybersecurity resources

Visit the AKSBDC website

Sample Incident Response Documentation Forms

Effective incident response requires thorough documentation. Here are key forms to include in your plan:

Incident Detection Form

Used to record initial incident details, including:

• Date and time of detection
• Detection method (automated alert, employee report, etc.)
• Systems or data potentially affected
• Initial incident classification
• Immediate containment actions taken

Incident Response Log

Maintains a chronological record of all actions taken, including:

• Timestamps for all activities
• Personnel involved
• Actions taken and their outcomes
• Key decisions and their justifications
• Evidence collected and preserved

Communication Tracking Form

Documents all internal and external communications:

• Date and time of communication
• Recipients/audience
• Content summary
• Communication method
• Responses received

Post-Incident Analysis Template

Guides the review process after resolution:

• Incident summary
• Response effectiveness assessment
• Root cause analysis
• Financial impact estimation
• Recommended security improvements
• Incident response plan update requirements

These templates provide starting points that you can customize to fit your business's specific needs and operating environment. The goal is to create practical, usable documentation that guides your response without becoming overly bureaucratic or complex.

A cybersecurity incident response plan is only effective if it works when needed. Regular testing and maintenance are essential to ensure your plan remains viable as your business and the threat landscape evolve.

Testing Your Plan

Even small businesses should test their incident response plans regularly. Here are testing approaches that scale to businesses of any size:

Tabletop Exercises

These discussion-based sessions walk through incident scenarios to evaluate your plan's effectiveness:

• Frequency: At least annually, ideally quarterly
• Participants: All incident response team members
• Format: Present a scenario (e.g., "We've discovered ransomware on our main server") and discuss how the team would respond according to the plan
• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Documentation: Record gaps identified and plan improvements needed

Plan Review Sessions

Regular reviews ensure plan components remain current:

• Contact Information Verification: Quarterly checks of all phone numbers and email addresses
• Asset Inventory Updates: Monthly reviews to include new systems or data repositories
• Procedural Walkthrough: Semi-annual reviews of each procedure to verify relevance and accuracy

Technical Testing

Where resources allow, technical validation of recovery capabilities:

• Backup Recovery Testing: Quarterly restoration of critical data from backups
• System Isolation Tests: Annual verification that network segmentation works as expected
• Communication Channel Verification: Periodic tests of alternate communication methods

"The worst time to discover flaws in your incident response plan is during an actual incident. Small businesses that conduct even basic tabletop exercises are significantly better prepared when real incidents occur." — Mark Thompson, Cybersecurity Consultant

Maintaining and Updating Your Plan

Your incident response plan should be treated as a living document. Establish a maintenance schedule that includes:

Regular Review Triggers

• Calendar-Based: Complete annual overhaul plus quarterly reviews
• Change-Based: Updates after significant business changes:
  • New locations or significant renovations
  • Implementation of new IT systems
  • Organizational restructuring
  • Staff changes affecting the incident response team
• Event-Based: Reviews after:
  • Any actual security incident
  • Tests or exercises that identify gaps
  • Changes in regulatory requirements
  • Significant shifts in the threat landscape

Version Control

Maintain proper documentation of plan changes:

• Use clear version numbering (e.g., v1.2)
• Maintain a revision history noting what changed and why
• Ensure all team members receive updated versions
• Archive outdated versions for reference

Staff Training and Awareness

A plan is only effective if your team knows how to execute it:

• New Employee Orientation: Include basic incident reporting procedures in onboarding
• Role-Specific Training: Ensure incident response team members receive detailed training on their responsibilities
• Awareness Refreshers: Conduct quarterly reminders about incident identification and reporting
• Lessons Learned Sharing: After incidents or exercises, share key takeaways with appropriate staff

By regularly testing and maintaining your incident response plan, you transform it from a document that sits on a shelf to an operational tool that genuinely enhances your business's cybersecurity posture and resilience.

Creating an effective incident response plan is a critical step in protecting your Alaska small business from the growing threat of cyberattacks. While the process may seem daunting, breaking it down into manageable components makes it achievable for organizations of any size.

Remember that an incident response plan doesn't need to be perfect to be valuable. A basic plan that addresses the fundamental components discussed in this guide—identifying your critical assets, establishing clear roles and responsibilities, documenting response procedures, and maintaining communication protocols—will significantly improve your ability to manage cybersecurity incidents.

The unique challenges of operating in Alaska—from connectivity issues to geographic isolation to seasonal business fluctuations—require special consideration in your planning. By addressing these factors proactively, you'll build a more resilient response capability that accounts for the realities of your business environment.

Perhaps most importantly, remember that incident response planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. Regular testing, updating, and training are essential to maintain an effective response capability as your business grows and the threat landscape evolves.

By investing time in developing your incident response plan today, you're taking a crucial step toward ensuring your business can weather the cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow. Your preparation won't just help you respond effectively when incidents occur—it may ultimately determine whether your business survives them.