48 Hours in the Trenches: The High-Stakes World of Incident Response

Okay, so this is all going to sound a bit dramatic, but it’s with good reason.

I manage a cybersecurity response team for a top-level MSSP. If there’s one thing I know, in the fast-paced world of cybersecurity, there’s a place and time for drama because every second matters. When a cyberattack strikes, the race to protect an organization’s data, reputation, and operations begins immediately. It’s not just about stopping the attacker—it’s about preserving the very lifeblood of a business.

In my situation, incident response (IR) is a cornerstone of the cybersecurity mission. Yes, I’m gonna drop some acronyms on you, as I’ll be referring to these items throughout, and it’s a lot to write. Unlike many MSSPs (Managed Security Services Providers) that outsource their Security Operations Centers (SOCs), luckily, this outfit has built its own integrated SOC and help desk services, which allows our guys to execute real-time IR, absorbing the brunt of a crisis while still being able to provide good support to managed customers.

Our cyber engineers and incident handlers often find themselves working up to 48 hours straight, hunting attackers in real-time while neutralizing threats. What’s it like to operate in the trenches of cybersecurity IR for two days at a stretch?

To answer that, we’ll take you through 48 hours in the life of an incident response team.

Hour 1: The Alarm Sounds

It starts with a phone call—sometimes in the dead of night. A client’s system is down, unusual activity is detected, or a ransomware message appears on screens across the organization.

Mike, who is our senior security engineer, describes the moment the call comes in: “When you’re in the thick of an incident, it’s like racing against the clock with adrenaline as your only fuel. Time is of the essence, and you’re not just battling the technical chaos—you’re a full crisis manager that needs to help executives navigate this uncomfortable time while your team executes under intense pressure.”

Hour 2-6: Containment and Control

Once we establish a base of operations and coordinate with the customer, the first goal is containment. Engineers isolate affected systems and limit the attacker’s lateral movement. Using advanced detection tools, they pinpoint vulnerabilities and map the attacker’s activity.

It’s grueling, detail-oriented work that requires complete focus. “The emotional toll is real,” explains Matt, another senior security engineer. “You’re drained, not just from the long hours but from the weight of knowing someone’s business—or reputation—depends on what you do next. Resetting after an incident often means stepping away completely, even if it’s just for an hour, to regain perspective and breathe.”

Hour 18: Remediation

Once the threat is contained, remediation begins. We work tirelessly to remove malware, restore systems, and patch vulnerabilities. Their work is not just technical—it’s strategic. The staff coordinates with clients to minimize downtime and navigate critical decisions.

Hour 30: The Aftermath

By now, systems are stable, but the work isn’t over. Forensic analysis begins, documenting the incident for compliance, legal, and regulatory purposes. Our team reviews how the attack happened, identifies lessons learned, and works with the client to harden defenses for the future.

Steve, who heads up our vISO (Virtual Information Security Officer) service, reflects on the reward of seeing an attacker thwarted: “While it’s physically and emotionally taxing, there’s immense satisfaction in identifying and shutting down an attacker. That moment of remediation is a shared victory, one that brings you closer to your security coworkers. Still, the work doesn’t end there. Long after the attacker is neutralized, the aftermath—legal follow-ups, regulatory reporting, and post-incident reviews—continues to disrupt your day-to-day.”

Hour 48: The Quiet Reflection

The incident is over, but the toll on the team is visible. For many, stepping away is the only way to reset. Yet, the sense of accomplishment is palpable. They’ve not only defended a business from ruin but also fortified it for the future.

The Human Element of Incident Response

The approach to incident response isn’t solely about technology—it’s about people. Our structure, which includes dedicated incident handlers and infrastructure engineers, tries our best to ensure that IR events don’t derail other critical projects. We’ve developed a resilient model over a several years that allows us to absorb crises without compromising daily operations.

A Customer’s Perspective

For the clients, expertise often makes the difference between catastrophe and survival. When ransomware encrypts critical systems, you need to be on-site quickly, contain the spread, and restore operations within 24 hours. Said one of our clients, “They didn’t just save our data—they saved our business.”

Deep breath. Sigh of relief.

“The work is hard,” as Matt puts it, “but knowing you’ve made a difference—that’s what keeps you going.” In the high-stakes world of incident response, it’s not just about stopping an attack—it’s about securing a future.