In the modern business landscape, a company’s greatest assets are its digital infrastructure and the data it holds. And just as a physical asset can be stolen, these digital assets are under constant threat from malicious actors. The threat of cyberattacks, especially through third-party supply chain vulnerabilities, has become a top-tier risk. This is not a matter of “if” but “when.” For a CEO, the ability to lead through a cybersecurity crisis is no longer a luxury; it’s a fundamental test of leadership.
The reality of a ransomware attack is a digital “hostile action” against your company. I experienced this firsthand at the end of 2020, when a ransomware attack shut down our entire operation. The experts we called in gave a grim forecast, estimating a three-to-five-month recovery period. Communication was completely cut off, as our email system was also compromised. The pressure was immense, but I knew we couldn’t afford to be paralyzed by fear.
The Three-Phase Approach to Cybersecurity Leadership
Leading a company through a digital storm requires a clear, methodical approach. Here’s how we tackled the challenge and what I believe are the essential phases for any CEO to follow:
Phase 1: Immediate Response & Assessment. The first 24-48 hours are critical. You must immediately isolate the compromised systems to prevent the spread of the attack. Next, you must bring in the right experts—forensic cybersecurity specialists, legal counsel, and law enforcement—to assess the scope of the damage and determine the best course of action. I made the call to my director of IT and said, “We’re going to get this back up and running,” setting a clear, non-negotiable goal for the team. We refused to accept the experts’ timeline and worked tirelessly to find a faster path to recovery.
Phase 2: Recovery & Restoration. With a clear goal in mind, the focus shifts to hands-on execution. We had to clean or replace over a thousand different endpoints. This phase is about more than just technology; it’s about leading your team through a period of intense stress and long hours. You need to be visible, decisive, and a source of calm. By fostering a culture of
trust and transparency, you can keep morale from crumbling. We had the systems back up and running within 30 days, a testament to the team’s incredible dedication and resilience under pressure.
Phase 3: Rebuilding & Future-Proofing. The crisis is not over when the systems are back online. The attack is a stark reminder of your vulnerabilities. The final phase involves a complete overhaul of your cybersecurity posture, from upgrading firewalls and implementing new software to training employees on best practices. You must invest in making AI part of your operational infrastructure to gain a competitive advantage. This is about learning from the experience and transforming a weakness into a source of strength. A leader’s ability to sense and respond to this type of disruption is paramount.
The Call for a Resilient Leader
The ability to lead through a ransomware attack—or any hostile action against the company—builds immense trust with employees and demonstrates a commitment to business continuity. It is a tangible example of a CEO’s crisis and change leadership capabilities. As a fractional CEO, I bring this battle-tested experience to mid-sized businesses and private equity firms that need a leader who can not only drive growth but also navigate the most challenging times.
Navigating the digital storm requires a strategic visionary who can prepare the business, lead with a steady hand during a crisis, and emerge with a more robust and resilient organization. If your business is at risk, you need a partner with a proven track record of crisis management and value creation. Let’s build a plan to make your company not just successful, but unshakeable.
