BRIEFING EXECUTIVES AFTER INCIDENTS

Containing a threat is only half the job. Communicating it well is what builds trust.

Executives don’t want a technical report. They want to know: are we safe, what did you do, and should I be worried? Get this right and you’re the hero. Get it wrong and they wonder why they’re paying you.

The scenario:

You contained a malware incident quickly with no data loss. The CEO wants to know what happened.

The prompt:

You’re briefing a client CEO after a contained incident.

Incident details: [paste summary]

Write a 180-word executive update that:

– Opens with the outcome (contained, no impact)

– Explains what happened in plain English

– Shows what controls worked and what you verified

– Closes with next steps and reassurance

Tone: Calm, confident, jargon-free.