What should be done immediately after an incident is declared?

Establishing a communication plan immediately after an incident is declared is crucial for effective incident management. A well-defined communication plan ensures that clear, consistent, and timely information is shared with all relevant stakeholders, including team members, management, and potentially affected customers. This helps to align the response efforts and keep everyone informed about the status of the incident, which is essential for managing expectations and mitigating anxiety during a crisis.

Effective communication can also coordinate the actions of different teams, minimizing confusion and ensuring that the right resources are mobilized to resolve the incident promptly. By prioritizing communication, you set a foundation for collaborative incident resolution, which can lead to faster recovery times and reduced impact on the organization.

Conducting a post-mortem analysis, notifying the media, and assessing team performance are important steps, but they typically follow the initial response phase and should occur once the incident is being managed and investigated. Immediate focus on communication allows for a more structured and organized response to the incident.