Personal Data Breach
Is Your Business Ready for a Data Breach?
When a data breach happens, every minute counts. For small and medium enterprises, the difference between a manageable incident and a business-ending crisis often comes down to preparation.
This step-by-step guide provides the structure you need without the complexity you don't. Based on UK GDPR requirements and real-world experience.
8-Stage Data Breach Response Framework
A comprehensive, step-by-step approach to managing data breaches effectively and efficiently
Detailed Implementation Guide
Assemble Data Breach Team
Form your data breach response team with defined roles and responsibilities
- IT security lead
- Legal/compliance officer
- Data Protection Officer
- Communications representative
- Relevant business unit leaders
Preliminary Assessment
Conduct initial assessment to identify and document the incident
- Identify the nature and timing of the incident
- Determine potentially compromised data
- Evaluate immediate risks
- Document initial findings
Containment and Recovery
Implement immediate actions to limit breach scope and recover systems
- Limit the breach scope
- Contain affected systems
- Recover data where feasible
- Contact law enforcement when necessary
- Notify relevant insurers
Risk Assessment and Documentation
Document comprehensive breach details in the Data Breach Register
- Data types and sensitivity
- Number of affected individuals
- Potential consequences for affected individuals
- Existing technical safeguards
- Organisational impact
Notify the ICO (if required)
Notify the ICO within 72 hours when breach poses risk to individuals
- Nature and scope of the breach
- Categories and numbers of affected individuals
- DPO contact information
- Likely consequences
- Actions taken or planned
Data Subject Notification (if required)
Inform affected individuals when breach poses high risk
- Clear description of the breach
- DPO/contact point details
- Likely consequences
- Measures taken or planned
- Guidance for self-protection
Third-Party Notifications (if required)
Consider notifying relevant external parties
- Business partners and vendors
- Financial institutions
- Additional regulatory bodies
- Law enforcement
- Insurers
- Media as appropriate
Post-Breach Improvements
Review and implement comprehensive improvements
- Security gap identification
- Technical and organisational enhancements
- Policy and procedure updates
- Staff training
- Risk register updates
- Response team debriefing
How Can We Help
Choose the plan that best fits your organization’s needs
Starter Plan
Free policy templates and other resources to get you started today-
Data Breach Response Policy
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Getting started guide
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Basic templates
Professional Plan
Templates with drafting note plus an hour of workshop to guide you through-
Comprehensive templates
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Drafting notes
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1-hour workshop
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Email support
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Implementation guidance
Bespoke Plan
Risk assessment with a set of tailored policies and implementation plan-
Custom risk assessment
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Tailored policies
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Implementation plan
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Dedicated support
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Ongoing updates
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Priority consultation
Why Choose Us
Industry-leading expertise and proven methodologies for cybersecurity compliance