How to Build an Incident Response Plan Your Law Firm Can Count On
When a cyber incident strikes, the worst time to start figuring out your response is in the middle of it. The stress, confusion, and potential damage can be overwhelming — especially if you don’t have a clear plan in place. That’s where an Incident Response Plan (IRP) becomes critical.
Why an Incident Response Plan Matters
An IRP acts as your emergency playbook. It outlines what to do in the crucial first 2–24 hours after a breach or incident occurs — when the chaos is high and the margin for error is low. Without it, even small incidents can spiral into crises with legal, financial, and reputational consequences.
The 4 Essential Roles in a Cyber Incident
A solid IRP starts with clearly defined roles, each with primary and backup personnel:
External Communications Lead – The single voice to your clients, vendors, and the public.
Internal Communications Lead – Keeps employees informed and focused.
Technical Lead – Coordinates with IT teams and external cyber responders to contain the threat.
Executive Decision-Maker – Approves disclosures, contacts insurance, and allocates emergency resources.
Each role must have redundancy. You never know who might be on vacation or unavailable when a breach hits.
Key Components of a Strong IRP
Incident Criteria: Define what constitutes a cyber incident and the different severity levels that activate the plan.
Communication Failovers: Prepare alternative channels in case email, Zoom, or Teams are compromised.
Emergency Contacts: Pre-load your plan with contacts for:
Cyber insurance
IT providers (internal and external)
Legal counsel
Law enforcement (local & federal)
Regulatory agencies like SEC or HHS, if applicable
Compliance Awareness: Know your mandatory reporting timelines based on HIPAA, SEC, or state laws.
Offline Access: Keep a physical copy of the IRP in every partner’s home office. Don’t rely solely on digital access — chances are, the breach may lock you out.
Final Thoughts
Preparation isn’t just best practice — it’s essential risk management. Your team should not only have a response plan but should regularly rehearse it. Tabletop exercises and simulated incidents will sharpen instincts and expose gaps before the real thing hits.
At Clear Guidance Partners, we help small and midsize law firms build, test, and refine their incident response strategies. If you’re unsure where to begin, we’re here to help you create a plan that’s ready when you need it most.
Need help building or reviewing your Incident Response Plan?
Reach out to us — we specialize in making cybersecurity work for small and midsize law firms.