We Just Got Phished, What Should We Do Next?

When a phishing attack strikes, speed and strategy matter: isolate affected systems, reset credentials with MFA, conduct full malware scans, activate anti‑phishing defences, roll out phishing training, and communicate transparently to ensure recovery, rebuild resilience, and prevent repeat compromise.

Why Immediate, Strategic Action Is Vital After Phishing

• Phishing is the most prevalent cyber threat, accounting for around 36% of all data breaches. Criminals are estimated to send over 3.4 billion phishing emails daily, highlighting the persistence and scale of this threat.

• Human error is the dominant risk factor: phishing campaigns exploit user trust, with victims clicking within 60 seconds on average, making a fast response crucial.

• The financial and operational toll of cyber incidents is staggering: organisations can take months to fully recover, with only 7% able to bounce back within 24 hours. Disruptions often exceed a million dollars in costs.

What are the First Moves After a Phishing Incident

1. Contain the Incident — Isolate Systems

Begin by disconnecting compromised devices from the network and disabling suspicious accounts or email forwarding. This containment stops phishing-activated malware from spreading and buys time for thoughtful remediation.

2. Secure Credentials — Reset Passwords + Enable MFA

Immediately reset account passwords through trusted channels and enforce multi-factor authentication. Stolen login details are often the first step in further compromise, but with MFA and credential hygiene, the threat can be neutralised.

3. Malware Detection & Forensics

Run comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware scans to identify hidden threats. Inspect email headers, logs, and other telemetry to trace the breach's origin and scope. This deep analysis helps anticipate further intrusions.

4. Report to Authorities & Affected Parties

Notify banks, email providers, and, if required, regulatory agencies. Documenting the incident helps with compliance and may assist in mitigating financial or reputational fallout from the breach.

5. Internal Communications & Awareness

Alert your organisation so staff stay vigilant and avoid accidental clicks from follow-up phishing messages. 

Emphasise the importance of reporting suspicious emails and reinforce cyber-awareness.

How Klaatu IT’s Services Aid in Recovery & Prevention

Deploying Advanced Anti‑Phishing Tools

Use AI-backed email filters that flag or block suspicious messages based on content, source, or behaviour, not just blacklists. These intelligent anti‑phishing systems are essential to protect against evolving threats.

Conducting Robust Phishing Training

Embed ongoing phishing training programs featuring real-world simulations and interactive exercises. By repeating these drills, organisations significantly raise user awareness and reduce susceptibility to phishing.

Mobilising Incident Response with RAPTOR

Activate the RAPTOR playbook: a structured, multi-disciplinary framework integrating technical, 

legal, and reputation-focused actions to contain and recover from phishing-induced incidents.

What are the Incident Response Stages

Stage	Actions Taken	Executive-Value Delivered
Containment	Disconnect devices, isolate compromised assets	Reduces damage, operational downtime
Credential Protection	Password resets, MFA enforcement	Blocks unauthorised access and lateral spread
Forensic Analysis	Malware scans, email/log review	Identifies breach scope, aids remediation
Reporting	Notify stakeholders, law enforcement, and regulators	Builds trust and demonstrates compliance
Prevention	Launch anti‑phishing tools and phishing training	Shifts posture from reactive to proactive

What is the Executive-Level Recovery & Resilience Strategy

1. Post-Incident Forensic Review

Document what happened, how, and to whom. Classify the impact to inform immediate corrections and long-term improvements.

2. Enhance Anti‑Phishing Infrastructure

Deploy multi-layered email defences. Combine AI-enabled filters, link sandboxing, and URL analysis to detect and block sophisticated phishing attempts proactively.

3. Institutionalise Phishing Training

Regularly deploy scenario-based phishing training sessions. Use simulated phishing attacks, phishing exercises (QR-code baits), and LLM-generated email scenarios to prepare employees for ever-evolving attack surfaces.

4. Strengthen Governance & Policies

Update access controls, password policies, email hygiene procedures, and MFA protocols. Firm guidelines improve staff compliance and reduce follow-through risk.

5. Track KPIs

Monitor phishing click-through rates, time to isolate incidents, number of threats detected, and remediation timelines. Executive dashboards offer visibility and foster accountability.

Why Turning a Phishing Incident Into a Strengthening Moment is key

A phishing incident isn’t just a setback; it’s an opportunity. By swiftly isolating threats, securing credentials, deploying anti‑phishing infrastructure, and reinforcing staff resilience through phishing training, organisations can recover swiftly, rebuild trust, and fortify their cyber posture for future threats.

FAQs

Q1: Can phishing damage be undone?

Damage control is possible—rapid action like isolation, password resets, malware cleanup, and anti‑phishing measures significantly reduce further harm, though some loss (like data exposure) may be irreversible.

Q2: What is anti‑phishing technology?

These are proactive defences, often powered by AI, that detect, block, or flag phishing emails and domains, even those previously unseen. They protect users and minimise reliance on human judgment.

Q3: How effective is phishing training?

When regularly practised and supported by simulations, phishing training can reduce click rates by 70–80% over a year, instilling awareness and improving response culture.

Q4: Should external responders be engaged post-phishing?

Yes. Third-party incident response, especially using structured frameworks like RAPTOR, enables rapid containment, professional forensics, and unified communication under crisis conditions.

Q5: How do organisations prevent follow-up phishing after a breach?

Ongoing deterrence: deploy anti‑phishing systems, run awareness training, use domain whitelisting, and maintain constant vigilance, especially during heightened vulnerability periods.