Cyber Incident Response | Essential Guide

In today’s threat landscape, cyber incidents are not a matter of if, but when.

From ransomware attacks to data breaches, how an organisation responds in the critical hours following an incident can determine financial, reputational, and legal outcomes. This is why incident response (IR) training is now essential for professionals across IT, security, compliance, and leadership.

Below, we answer the most common questions about cyber incident response and compare three leading training options for building your skills in this space.

What Is Cyber Incident Response?

Cyber incident response is the structured approach organisations use to detect, contain, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks or security breaches. It includes technical response (e.g. isolating affected systems), investigation, communication with stakeholders, legal/regulatory reporting, and applying lessons learned to strengthen future defences.

Why Is Incident Response So Important For Businesses Today?

Incidents are increasing in frequency, complexity, and impact. Without a plan, organisations risk extended downtime, regulatory fines, data loss, and reputational harm.

Effective incident response ensures faster recovery, better decision-making under pressure, and clearer coordination across teams and external parties.

What Are The Key Phases Of Incident Response?

Most frameworks, including NIST and ISO/IEC 27035—describe six core phases:

1. Preparation

2. Detection And Analysis

3. Containment

4. Eradication

5. Recovery

6. Post-Incident Review

   
   

Who Should Be Trained In Cyber Incident Response?

Incident response is not just for technical staff. It’s relevant for:

• IT and security teams

• Risk and compliance managers

• Legal and regulatory officers

• Crisis communication and executive leadership

Everyone involved in managing a cyber incident should understand their role, the escalation paths, and how to act quickly and effectively.

What’s The Difference Between CertNexus And The PECB Certifications?

• IRBIZ is business-centric, focusing on how incidents affect continuity, operations, and risk. It’s ideal for professionals who need to understand what to do, not necessarily how to do it technically.

• PECB Certified Incident Responder is technical—it’s for those actively involved in incident triage, analysis, and containment.

• PECB ISO/IEC 27035 Lead Incident Manager is management-focused and governance-driven, covering organisational structure, controls, and audit processes based on ISO standards.

Which Cyber Incident Response Course Should I Take?

• Choose IRBIZ if you're new to incident response or your role is in management, business continuity, or risk—not hands-on technical response.

• Choose PECB Certified Incident Responder if you’re working in a SOC, blue team, or technical security operations role.

• Choose PECB ISO/IEC 27035 Lead Incident Manager if you’re responsible for organisation-wide security governance, audits, or compliance and want to implement or lead an IRMS aligned with ISO standards.

Final Thoughts

As cyber threats evolve, so must your team’s readiness. Whether you're designing a high-level incident response strategy or pulling logs in the middle of a breach, training is essential. The right course depends on your role, your organisation’s maturity, and the framework you need to follow.