What is a cyber security incident?

A cyber incident is a breach of an organisation's computer systems, including computer security policies or procedures. Such breaches often involve the compromising of an organisation's computer systems by unauthorised third parties. People inside the organisation (eg employees) may also play a role, either unwittingly or deliberately.

Deliberate attacks can vary in their persistence, sophistication and impact. Not all cyber incidents are the result of deliberate attacks and different types of cyber incident merit different responses.

The links below provide more information on cyber security risks and how senior management can manage those risks. Given the nature of the risks, cyber security is not an issue for your organisation's IT department in isolation.