Incident Response Statistics to Know in 2025

Cyberattacks don’t come with warning signs. One day, your business is running smoothly; the next, you’re knee-deep in a data breach, scrambling to contain the damage. The faster you respond, the less you lose—but here’s the problem: most organizations aren’t ready.

A solid incident response (IR) plan is the difference between a controlled recovery and a full-blown disaster. Yet, many businesses are still reactive instead of proactive when it comes to cyber threats. 

How long does it take to detect a breach? What security gaps keep attackers coming back? We’re breaking it all down with the latest incident response statistics.

Incident Response Statistics: Editor’s Picks

Before we get into the details, here are some of the most jaw-dropping numbers shaping incident response in 2025:

• $4.88 million—the global average cost of a data breach in 2024, the highest ever recorded. (IBM)
• 258 days—that’s how long it takes, on average, to detect and contain a breach. That’s almost nine months of exposure. (Ponemon Institute)
• 68% of breaches involve human error, from phishing clicks to misconfigured security settings. (Verizon DBIR)
• Only 30% of organizations regularly test their incident response plans—meaning most companies have no idea if their plan actually works. (CISA)
• Ransomware remains the #1 financially motivated attack, accounting for 62% of all cyberattacks. (Verizon DBIR)
• AI-driven security automation saves companies $2.22 million per breach by cutting response times and improving containment. (IBM)
• 97% of organizations report rising cyber threats due to global conflicts and geopolitical tensions. (Accenture)
• Companies with no formal IR plan pay 58% more per breach compared to those with structured, tested response protocols. (Ponemon Institute)
• 48% of SMBs have experienced a cyberattack, but many don’t have the resources to build an effective IR strategy. (Gartner)
• Only 35% of businesses run cybersecurity tabletop exercises—even though simulations significantly improve response times. (CISA)

If these stats make you uneasy, you’re not alone. Most businesses are underprepared for security incidents, and the cost of inaction keeps rising. Let’s break down the state of incident response in 2025 and what companies are getting right (and wrong).

Key Incident Response Statistics

Preparedness

• Only 55% of companies have a fully documented incident response plan. That means nearly half of businesses are winging it when a breach happens. (Verizon DBIR)
• Among organizations with IR plans, 42% don’t update them regularly. This makes them susceptible to modern threats. (Ponemon Institute)
• Companies that conduct regular IR plan testing save an average of $1.49 million per breach. Yet, only 30% actually do it. (IBM)
• SMBs are even less prepared—75% lack a cybersecurity incident response plan so they are very vulnerable to devastating attacks. (Gartner)
• Highly regulated industries (like finance and healthcare) lead the way in IR preparedness, with 65% having structured response protocols. (Accenture)

Detection and Response Times

• The average time to detect a breach is 204 days—that’s nearly seven months before companies even realize they’ve been compromised. (Ponemon Institute)
• It takes another 54 days, on average, to contain a breach, meaning most companies take over eight months to fully handle an incident. (IBM)
• Companies using AI-powered security cut their breach detection time in half, which ultimately reduces it to 102 days on average. (IBM)
• Ransomware attacks escalate quickly—organizations have an average of just four hours to respond before damage is irreversible. (Verizon DBIR)
• Businesses with automated detection systems contain threats 40% faster. (Ponemon Institute)

The Cost of Poor Incident Response

• $4.88 million is the global average cost of a data breach, a 10% increase from last year. (IBM)
• Data breaches involving stolen credentials cost an average of $5.29 million—since attackers use compromised logins to spread deeper into systems. (Ponemon Institute)
• Companies that involve law enforcement and external cybersecurity firms save $1 million per breach compared to those handling it internally. (IBM)
• The financial impact of a data breach extends beyond direct costs—companies also face lost business, reputational damage, and legal fees. (Verizon DBIR)
• Ransomware payments are skyrocketing, with 63% of attackers demanding $1 million or more, and 30% demanding over $5 million. (Sophos)

Human Factor

• 68% of breaches involve a human element, whether through phishing, weak passwords, or misconfigurations. (Verizon DBIR)
• Only 45% of employees receive cybersecurity training, leaving more than half of the workforce unprepared for phishing and social engineering attacks. (Ponemon Institute)
• Organizations that train employees quarterly reduce security incidents by 60%, compared to those that offer training once a year (or not at all). (CISA)
• 40% of businesses fail to revoke ex-employee access to critical systems, leaving them open to insider threats. (Gartner)
• Misconfigured cloud settings are responsible for 19% of breaches, often caused by human error in IT management. (IBM)

Common Incident Response Mistakes

Even with the best intentions, many organizations fall into predictable traps when it comes to incident response. These mistakes extend breach lifecycles, increase costs, and leave businesses vulnerable to repeated attacks.

Below are the most common IR mistakes companies make—and the statistics that highlight their impact.

Lack of a Formal Plan

• 45% of organizations still do not have a documented incident response plan. (Verizon DBIR)
• Organizations without an IR plan face a 258-day average breach lifecycle, compared to 189 days for those with a formal strategy. (IBM)
• Companies that lack a dedicated IR team experience breach costs that are $2.66 million higher than those with a defined response structure. (Ponemon Institute)
• 75% of SMBs do not have a cybersecurity emergency response plan in place. (Gartner)

Infrequent Testing

• 70% of businesses rarely or never test their IR plans, leaving security gaps undiscovered. (CISA)
• Organizations that conduct IR testing at least twice a year reduce breach costs by an average of $1.49 million. (IBM)
• Only 30% of companies perform tabletop exercises to simulate real-world attack scenarios. (Ponemon Institute)
• 68% of IR teams feel unprepared for an actual cyberattack due to a lack of real-world training. (Gartner)

Overlooking Communication

• 60% of organizations fail to have a clear communication plan during a cyber incident. (Verizon DBIR)
• Companies with poor internal communication experience a 33% increase in breach containment time. (Ponemon Institute)
• Only 20% of organizations notify affected stakeholders within 72 hours, the legal requirement under GDPR. (Gartner)
• Delayed breach notifications increase regulatory fines by an average of $250,000 per incident. (IBM)

Reliance on Manual Processes

• 85% of businesses still rely on manual security processes, slowing down detection and response. (CISA)
• Companies using automation and AI in security operations reduce breach containment time by 40%. (IBM)
• Automated response tools cut security team workload by 50% which majorly reduces burnout. (Ponemon Institute)
• Human-led investigation processes take an average of 21 days longer than those using automation. (Gartner)

What High-Performing Teams Are Doing Right

Some organizations are leading the way in incident response. These teams consistently reduce breach costs, contain threats faster, and prevent future attacks. Here’s what they’re doing differently.

Regular Training and Testing

• Companies that conduct monthly security training reduce breach likelihood by 60%. (CISA)
• Organizations that run IR drills at least once per quarter respond 35% faster to incidents. (Ponemon Institute)
• Only 35% of businesses offer hands-on cyberattack simulations—but those that do reduce downtime significantly. (Gartner)

Automating Incident Response

• Companies using SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) solutions contain threats 4x faster than those relying on manual responses. (IBM)
• AI-powered detection systems reduce false positives by 90% and allow the business security teams to focus on real threats. (Ponemon Institute)
• Organizations with automated IR playbooks experience an average cost savings of $2.22 million per breach. (IBM)

Clear Communication Plans

• Companies that have a predefined incident communication strategy reduce response time by 30%. (Verizon DBIR)
• Organizations with clear internal communication protocols prevent 21% more secondary breaches caused by mismanaged response efforts. (Ponemon Institute)

Post-Incident Reviews

• High-performing security teams conduct detailed post-mortem analyses after every incident. (CISA)
• Organizations that implement changes based on past breaches reduce future incident rates by 50%. (Ponemon Institute)
• Only 40% of companies document post-breach findings—yet those that do improve IR speed and accuracy significantly. (Gartner)

Final Thoughts

The numbers paint a clear picture—most businesses are still not prepared for cyberattacks. Long detection times, ineffective response plans, and human errors keep breaches costly and difficult to manage.

But the good news? The best-performing companies are closing these gaps with AI, automation, and regular training. If your business isn’t investing in these areas, it’s time to rethink your security strategy before you become another statistic.

JumpCloud’s security solutions help businesses detect and contain threats faster, automate responses, and improve cybersecurity readiness. Want to see how JumpCloud can strengthen your security? Get started today.