It’s 3 a.m. and your phone starts blaring. You jolt awake and fumble for the light, heart pounding as you realize what’s happening: You’re under attack.

As you silently curse yourself for not being better prepared, you have to make some quick decisions. Do you know what to do when confronted with a security breach?

If not, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with the top five survival tips for when you encounter your first security breach.

1. Don’t Panic

This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to remember in the heat of the moment. When you’re faced with a security breach, it’s easy to let the panic set in and make rash decisions.

Instead, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. This will help you think more clearly and make better decisions about how to handle the situation.

2. Notify the Proper Authorities

Once you’ve taken a moment to calm down, it’s time to take action. The first step is to notify the proper authorities.

If you’re a business, this means contacting your local law enforcement as well as your insurance company. If you’re an individual, you’ll want to contact your local law enforcement as well as your credit card companies and any other companies that may have been affected by the breach.

3. Gather Evidence

After you’ve notified the proper authorities, it’s time to start gathering evidence. This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s important to document everything you can about the breach.

Take screenshots of any suspicious activity, gather any physical evidence, and make copies of any relevant documentation. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to track down the culprit and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

4. Change Your Passwords

One of the first things you should do after a security breach is change your passwords. This includes your passwords for any online accounts as well as your physical security, such as your locks.

If you use the same password for multiple accounts, now is the time to change that. Use a password manager to help you keep track of your new, strong passwords.

5. Review Your Security Measures

Once you’ve taken care of the immediate aftermath of the security breach, it’s time to take a step back and review your security measures.

Once the investigation is complete and the source of the breach has been identified, it is time to implement corrective measures. This will typically involve patching any vulnerabilities that were exploited and updating any security protocols.

It is also important to put together a plan for how to deal with similar situations in the future. This may include additional training for employees or changes to the way that systems are accessed.

Dealing with a security breach can be a daunting task, but it is important to remember that the sooner you take action, the better. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help to ensure that the damage is minimized and that your organization is better prepared for future breaches.