Incident Response Plan Template for Netherlands

An Incident Response Plan maps out exactly how your organization will detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents and data breaches. Under Dutch data protection law (AVG/GDPR), having this plan ready isn't optional - it's a core requirement for protecting personal data and maintaining business continuity.

The plan spells out who does what during a crisis, from your first responders to legal teams and PR specialists. It includes step-by-step procedures for containing threats, notifying affected parties, and reporting to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) within 72 hours when required. Regular testing and updates keep the plan effective and compliant with evolving cyber threats and regulatory demands.

Your Incident Response Plan springs into action the moment you detect a security breach, cyber attack, or data leak. For Dutch organizations, this becomes critical when unauthorized access to personal data occurs, systems go down unexpectedly, or ransomware strikes. The plan guides your immediate response during those crucial first hours.

Activate your plan immediately when facing network intrusions, data theft, or system compromises. It's essential for meeting the AVG/GDPR's 72-hour breach notification requirement to the Dutch Data Protection Authority. Regular drills help teams stay ready - run through your plan during quiet periods to identify gaps and keep response times sharp.

• Basic Response Plan: Covers essential incident detection, containment, and recovery steps - ideal for small businesses meeting minimum AVG/GDPR requirements
• Enterprise-Grade Plan: Detailed protocols with specialized teams, communication chains, and multi-site coordination for large organizations
• Industry-Specific Plans: Tailored for sectors like healthcare (with patient data focus) or financial services (with DNB compliance elements)
• Technical Response Plan: Heavy focus on IT security procedures, system restoration, and cyber incident handling
• Crisis Communication Plan: Emphasizes stakeholder communication, media management, and reputation protection during incidents

• IT Security Teams: Lead the development and execution of the Incident Response Plan, coordinating technical responses during breaches
• Data Protection Officers: Ensure the plan meets AVG/GDPR requirements and oversee breach notifications to authorities
• Legal Department: Reviews compliance elements and manages regulatory reporting to the Dutch Data Protection Authority
• Management Board: Approves the plan and makes critical decisions during major incidents
• Communications Team: Handles internal and external messaging during incidents
• External Consultants: Provide specialized expertise in cybersecurity and forensic investigation

• Asset Inventory: Map out your critical systems, data storage locations, and sensitive information requiring protection
• Team Structure: Define roles, responsibilities, and contact details for your incident response team members
• Risk Assessment: Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities specific to your organization
• Response Procedures: Document step-by-step actions for different incident types, including AVG/GDPR breach notifications
• Communication Templates: Prepare draft messages for stakeholders, authorities, and media
• Recovery Steps: Detail procedures for system restoration and business continuity
• Testing Schedule: Plan regular drills and updates to keep the plan current and effective

• Incident Classification: Clear definitions of security incidents and data breaches under AVG/GDPR standards
• Response Team Structure: Detailed roles, responsibilities, and escalation procedures
• Notification Protocols: Procedures for 72-hour breach reporting to the Dutch Data Protection Authority
• Data Inventory: Documentation of personal data processing activities and storage locations
• Recovery Procedures: Step-by-step protocols for system restoration and business continuity
• Communication Framework: Templates for internal and external communications during incidents
• Documentation Requirements: Methods for recording incident details and response actions

While an Incident Response Plan and a Data Breach Response Plan might seem similar, they serve distinct purposes in Dutch organizations. An Incident Response Plan covers a broader range of security incidents, including system outages, cyber attacks, and physical security breaches. A Data Breach Response Plan specifically focuses on personal data compromises under AVG/GDPR requirements.

• Scope of Coverage: Incident Response Plans handle all security events, while Data Breach Response Plans exclusively address personal data violations
• Regulatory Focus: Data Breach Response Plans center on Dutch Data Protection Authority requirements, while Incident Response Plans include broader operational and technical responses
• Team Structure: Data Breach Response Plans typically involve DPOs and legal teams, while Incident Response Plans require wider coordination across IT, operations, and security teams
• Response Timing: Data breach plans emphasize the 72-hour notification window, while incident plans may have varying timelines based on incident type