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Prepared, not panicked

A practical guide to cyber governance, incident readiness, investigations, due diligence and AI, for leaders who need clear answers.

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Cover of the guide: Prepared, not panicked, by Giles Otomewo, Investgao Cyber
// From noise to action

Too many priorities, too little time

Regulations multiply. Customers and insurers want evidence. Vendors promise their product solves everything. And when an incident hits, the pressure to act fast can lead to decisions that make things worse.

This guide isn't another framework or compliance checklist. It's practical guidance, drawn from 25 years of real engagements, on the decisions that make the biggest difference, with a few things you can do this week at the end of every chapter.

// When an incident hits: the first 24 hours
0–1 hourAppoint an incident lead and start a timestamped log 1–4 hoursIsolate, but don't switch off. Call counsel, insurer and forensics 4–12 hoursPreserve logs and check backups 12–24 hoursDecide notifications and plan recovery
"The organisations that cope best aren't the ones with the most tools. They know what matters, who's in charge, and they've rehearsed the bad day before it arrives." Giles Otomewo · Founder & CEO, Investgao Cyber
// You'll learn how to

Focus on what protects the business most

Identify your crown jewels and the ten essentialsWhere to focus limited time and budget for the biggest reduction in risk.
Win board support in business languageFrameworks, accountability, and how to turn technical risk into decisions.
Prepare for, and investigate, a serious incidentA plan people can use, clear roles, the first 24 hours, and how to protect evidence.
Assess cyber risk in deals and adopt AI safelyCyber due diligence across the deal lifecycle, and AI governance that keeps pace.
01Know what matters
02Govern with confidence
03Prepare for the incident
04Investigate with confidence
05Cyber due diligence
06AI readiness and responsible AI

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