Data breach? Get the right help, fast.
Compare vetted incident response firms by response time, industry, and expertise — or follow the same playbooks the pros use in the first 72 hours.
You’re breached right now
Isolate affected systems, preserve the evidence, and get a forensic team on the line. We’ll point you to IR specialists who answer 24/7.
Get ready before it happens
Build a tested response plan, line up a retainer, and know your notification deadlines cold — so day one isn’t spent reading vendor brochures.
167 vetted firms · 24/7 emergency response · independent & free to use
The math of a slow response.
Containment speed is the single biggest lever on what a breach finally costs.
Average global cost of a data breach
IBM, 2024Average cost in the United States
IBM, 2024Average time to identify and contain
IBM, 2024Saved with an IR team and a tested plan
IBM, 2024The first 72 hours decide the outcome.
Move in order. Skipping containment to "just fix it" destroys the evidence you'll need for forensics, insurance, and regulators.
See the full response guide- 0–4 hrs
Contain
Isolate affected systems from the network. Preserve every log. Activate the response team. Do not delete anything.
- 4–24 hrs
Investigate
Engage forensic experts. Establish scope, entry point, and which data types were touched. Loop in legal counsel.
- 24–72 hrs
Notify
File regulatory notifications and prepare communications. GDPR's clock runs out at 72 hours.
- After
Remediate
Patch the root cause, reset credentials, harden monitoring, and run a post-incident review.
Vetted incident response firms
Established specialists with documented IR practice, recognized certifications, and 24-hour emergency response. A sample of the directory:
Mandiant (Google Cloud)
Alexandria, Virginia
Industry pioneer in incident response with expertise dating back to 2004. Known for investigating high-profile nation-state attacks and advanced persistent threats. Part of Google Cloud since 2022, operating in over 30 countries with frontline threat intelligence.
Specialties
Certifications
GCFA · GCFE · GREM · CISSP
CrowdStrike Services
Austin, Texas
Global cybersecurity leader providing cloud-native endpoint protection and incident response services. Investigated major breaches including Sony Pictures and DNC incidents. Combines threat intelligence with rapid response capabilities.
Specialties
Certifications
GCFA · GCIH · CISSP · GPEN
Microsoft Incident Response
Redmond, Washington
Formerly Microsoft DART, this team provides proactive and reactive incident response services. Leverages unparalleled visibility into the global threat landscape through Microsoft's vast telemetry. Specializes in complex, nation-state, and cloud-based attacks.
Specialties
Certifications
CISSP · GCFA · GREM · GCIH
AWS Customer Incident Response
Seattle, Washington
Specialized team dedicated to supporting AWS customers during active security events. Provides deep expertise in AWS infrastructure, logging, and security services to help customers analyze, contain, and recover from cloud-based incidents.
Specialties
Certifications
AWS Security Specialty · CISSP · GCFA · GCIH
Whatever stage you’re in, there’s a playbook for it.
Respond
Active breach? Move fast and in the right order.
Comply
Hit every notification deadline and reporting rule.
Prepare
Build the capability before you need it.
Common questions
What is a breach response firm?
A breach response firm (also called an incident response or IR firm) is a cybersecurity company that helps organizations contain and recover from a data breach. Typical services include digital forensics, malware analysis, threat containment, regulatory notification support, and recovery.
How much does incident response cost?
Per-incident engagements typically run $50,000 to $300,000 depending on severity and scope. Annual retainers run $50,000 to $200,000. For context, the average total cost of a breach is $4.45M globally and $9.36M in the United States (IBM, 2024).
How quickly can IR firms respond?
Most established firms offer 24-hour emergency response, and many begin remote investigation within 2 to 4 hours of engagement. On-site response usually follows within 24 to 48 hours. Retainer clients generally get guaranteed faster response times.
What should I do first during a breach?
In the first four hours: isolate affected systems without powering them off or deleting anything, preserve all logs and evidence, activate your response team, contact legal counsel, and engage an external IR firm if you lack in-house forensics. Do not attempt to clean or remediate systems before forensic analysis.
When am I legally required to report a breach?
Deadlines vary by regulation: GDPR requires notification within 72 hours, HIPAA within 60 days (sooner for 500+ affected individuals), and CCPA “without unreasonable delay.” Many U.S. states add their own rules. Confirm your specific obligations with legal counsel based on the data and jurisdictions involved.
Don’t spend hour one choosing a vendor.
Whether the breach is live or hypothetical, the time to know who you’ll call is now.