A Cyber Attack Isn't Just a Warning

If there are cracks in your digital environment, it's a sign that attackers have already gotten in.

After a breach, the worst thing you can do is think that everything is "back to normal" once the systems are fixed. Your business needs to act quickly and with purpose or the next attack could be worse and more damaging.

That's when a cybersecurity audit after an attack becomes crucial.

This article explains how to conduct a full cybersecurity audit after a breach, what steps to take first, and how Wyrdex — a reputable Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) — can help protect your business from future problems.

Step 1: Stop the Damage Before You Start the Audit

Make sure the breach is completely contained before beginning the audit process.

• Have all systems been cleared of the attacker?
• Have malware or backdoors been removed?
• Have all compromised accounts and passwords been changed?

You can't audit an active breach. Lock everything down with the help of your MSSP or incident response team. Begin the audit only once containment is confirmed.

Step 2: Find the Way In

Understanding how the attacker got in is the first step to a successful audit.

• Was the entry point a phishing email?
• Was it an unpatched vulnerability?
• Did an insider unintentionally allow access?

Use forensic tools and system logs to trace the attacker’s steps. MSPs like Wyrdex can help identify when the breach occurred and which systems were affected.

Step 3: Check Access Controls and Privileges

Weak identity management is a common attack vector.

• Who had access to what?
• Were least privilege principles followed?
• Were any credentials reused or weak?

Wyrdex frequently discovers outdated role-based access configurations during audits — don’t let that happen to you.

Step 4: Review Logging, Monitoring, and Alerts

You can't respond to what you can't see.

• Did you receive an alert when the breach occurred?
• Were logs available to track attacker activity?
• Was suspicious behavior flagged?

Wyrdex can implement real-time monitoring and alert escalation to ensure the next threat doesn’t go unnoticed.

Step 5: Review Patch Management

Outdated software is a known vulnerability.

• Update frequency for software and systems
• Any missing critical patches
• Use of unsupported systems (e.g., legacy OS)

Step 6: Check Data Protection and Backup Strategy

What data was accessed or stolen?

Audit:

• Data classification and encryption practices
• Storage and protection of sensitive data
• Backup frequency and testing procedures

Step 7: Assess Network and Endpoint Security

Endpoints like employee laptops are often the weakest links.

• Antivirus and EDR status on all devices
• Firewall configurations
• VPN security and network segmentation
• BYOD (bring your own device) policies

Step 8: Review Security Policies and Training

• Are cybersecurity policies current and enforced?
• Is employee security awareness training regular and effective?
• Do staff know what to do during a breach?

Step 9: Check Compliance and Legal Obligations

• Incident response timelines
• Breach notification obligations
• Data privacy practices and documentation

Step 10: Create a Post-Audit Action Plan

An audit is useless without action. Your final step is to develop a plan to address identified issues:

• Repair broken systems
• Patch vulnerabilities
• Train staff
• Strengthen controls
• Implement ongoing monitoring

Why Cybersecurity Audits Are More Important Than Ever

• The average cost of a breach now exceeds $4 million (IBM, 2024)
• 60% of small businesses close within six months of a major attack
• Threats like ransomware, phishing, and supply chain attacks are on the rise

Why Wyrdex Should Be Your Audit Partner

Wyrdex isn’t just an MSP — we’re your cybersecurity ally.

• 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Expert-led cybersecurity audits
• Threat detection and mitigation
• Advanced logging, monitoring, and SIEM
• Regulatory compliance mapping
• Tailored remediation roadmaps
• Employee training programs
• Endpoint and network hardening
• Backup and disaster recovery planning