In the event of a cybersecurity breach, clear and timely communication is critical to maintaining trust, minimizing panic, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA). Below are communication templates tailored for internal teams, customers, stakeholders, and media outlets.
Subject: Important: Cybersecurity Incident Update
Body:
Dear Team,
We want to inform you that on [date], we detected a cybersecurity incident affecting [specific systems or data]. Our IT and cybersecurity teams are actively investigating the scope of the breach and taking immediate action to secure our systems.
What You Need to Know:
- The breach involved [specific details, e.g., unauthorized access to certain accounts or sensitive data].
- [Provide instructions, e.g., "We’ve temporarily disabled access to [system name] to contain the issue."]Next Steps for Employees:
- Please reset your company passwords immediately by following [specific instructions or a provided link].
- Be vigilant for phishing emails or unusual account activity.
- Report any suspicious activity to [contact information, e.g., IT support or security team].We understand this may cause concern and inconvenience. Please know that our priority is to protect our systems, data, and everyone involved.
We will provide further updates as we learn more. If you have questions or require assistance, contact [specific team/department] at [email/phone number].
Thank you for your cooperation,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
Subject: Important: Security Incident Notification
Body:
Dear [Customer Name/Valued Customers],
We want to inform you about a cybersecurity incident that occurred on [date] and may have impacted your account or data. Protecting your information is our highest priority, and we are taking immediate action to address the situation.
What Happened:
- On [date], we detected unauthorized access to [specific systems or data, e.g., customer accounts, payment information, or sensitive data].What We’re Doing:
- We have secured our systems and engaged leading cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach.
- Law enforcement has been notified, and we are fully cooperating with their investigation.What You Should Do:
- Reset your password immediately using [specific link or instructions].
- Be cautious of phishing emails and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
- Monitor your financial accounts for unauthorized activity and contact your bank or credit card provider if needed.Additional Support:
- We have created a dedicated support team to assist you. Contact us at [email/phone number].
- [Optional: Offer free credit monitoring services, e.g., "We are offering free credit monitoring to affected customers. Visit [link] for details."]We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and are committed to ensuring this does not happen again. Thank you for your understanding as we work to resolve this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
Subject: Update: Cybersecurity Incident
Body:
Dear [Customer Name/Valued Customers],
We want to provide you with an update regarding the cybersecurity incident we notified you about on [date]. After a thorough investigation, we have determined the following:
Key Findings:
- The breach affected [specific details, e.g., X% of accounts or specific types of data].
- [Specify whether financial data, passwords, or personal information was accessed and whether it was encrypted.]Actions We’ve Taken:
- All affected accounts have been secured, and our systems have been fortified with enhanced security measures.
- We have introduced [specific updates, e.g., multi-factor authentication or additional encryption protocols].Protecting You Moving Forward:
- We continue to monitor our systems 24/7 to prevent future incidents.
- [Optional: Reiterate free credit monitoring or other support services provided.]If you have any concerns or need assistance, please contact our support team at [email/phone].
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we resolved this matter. We are committed to earning your trust every day.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
Press Release Example
Headline: [Company Name] Responds to Cybersecurity Incident
Body:
[City, State] – [Date]
[Company Name] recently identified and addressed a cybersecurity incident that occurred on [date], involving unauthorized access to [specific data or systems]. Upon discovery, the company took immediate action to secure its systems and minimize the potential impact on its customers and partners.
What Happened:
- On [date], we detected [specific details, e.g., unusual activity indicating unauthorized access to certain accounts].
- [Provide high-level findings, e.g., "Some personal information may have been accessed, but financial data remains secure."]Our Response:
- Engaged top cybersecurity experts to investigate and resolve the incident.
- Notified law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
- Enhanced security measures, including [specific improvements, e.g., multi-factor authentication, encryption updates].Next Steps:
- Customers who may be impacted will be contacted directly with instructions on how to protect their information.
- We are offering free credit monitoring services to those affected.[Company Spokesperson Quote]:
"Protecting our customers’ data is our top priority. We deeply regret this incident and are taking every step necessary to ensure it does not happen again."For further information, please visit [link to company’s FAQ or updates page].
Media inquiries:
- Contact: [Name]
- Email: [Email Address]
- Phone: [Phone Number]
Post Example 1 (Initial Statement):
Security Alert
We recently identified a cybersecurity incident that may have impacted some customer accounts. Our team is actively addressing the situation and has secured our systems.
What You Can Do:
- Reset your password immediately.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience caused and are committed to protecting your data. For more information, visit [link].
Post Example 2 (Resolution Update):
Cybersecurity Incident Update
We’ve resolved the recent security issue and taken steps to strengthen our systems. If your account was impacted, you’ll receive an email with further instructions.
Thank you for your patience as we worked through this. For additional details, visit [link].
Q1: What happened?
On [date], we detected unauthorized access to [specific systems].
Q2: What information was affected?
[Be transparent, e.g., "Names, email addresses, and passwords (encrypted) may have been accessed."]
Q3: What actions should I take?
- Reset your password immediately.
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
- Use multi-factor authentication for added security.
Q4: What is the company doing to prevent future incidents?
We’ve implemented advanced monitoring tools, enhanced encryption protocols, and engaged third-party experts to secure our systems.
Q5: How can I contact support?
Reach us at [email/phone] or visit [link to support page].