Incident Response Firms in the USA
58 vetted firms with expertise in state breach notification laws and federal compliance. All provide 24/7 emergency response across the United States.
US Incident Response Landscape
State Breach Laws
All 50 states have unique data breach notification laws. Organizations must comply with every state where affected residents live, creating complex multi-jurisdictional obligations.
- • California: Strictest requirements, CCPA enforcement
- • New York: SHIELD Act, 72-hour AG notification
- • Texas: Attorney General notification required
- • Most states: 30-90 day notification window
Federal Regulations
Industry-specific federal laws impose additional requirements on top of state obligations, with strict timelines and penalties for non-compliance.
- • HIPAA: 60-day HHS notification (healthcare)
- • GLBA: Customer/regulator notification (finance)
- • SEC: 4-day material incident disclosure (public cos.)
- • FTC: Safeguards Rule enforcement authority
Highest Global Costs
The average US data breach costs $9.36 million (IBM 2024)—the highest globally. Multi-state notification, class action lawsuits, and regulatory fines drive costs significantly above other jurisdictions.
US-Based Incident Response Firms
| Firm | Location | Response | Specialties | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandiant (Google Cloud)
Featured
| Alexandria, Virginia | 24hr | ForensicsAdvanced Persistent Threats +3 | Get Help |
| CrowdStrike Services
Featured
| Austin, Texas | 24hr | ForensicsRansomware +3 | Get Help |
| Microsoft Incident Response
Featured
| Redmond, Washington | 24hr | Cloud SecurityNation-State Attacks +3 | Get Help |
| AWS Customer Incident Response
Featured
| Seattle, Washington | 24hr | Cloud SecurityInfrastructure Security +3 | Get Help |
| IBM X-Force
Featured
| Armonk, New York | 24hr | ForensicsRansomware +3 | Get Help |
| Kroll Cyber Risk
Featured
| New York, New York | 24hr | ForensicsRansomware +3 | Get Help |
| Mountain View, California | 24hr | Managed DetectionRansomware +3 | Get Help | |
| Atlanta, Georgia | 24hr | ForensicsManaged Detection +3 | Get Help | |
| Santa Clara, California | 24hr | ForensicsRansomware +3 | Get Help | |
| Boston, Massachusetts | 24hr | ForensicsVulnerability Management +3 | Get Help | |
| San Jose, California | 24hr | ForensicsThreat Intelligence +3 | Get Help | |
| Hanover, Maryland | 24hr | Industrial Control SystemsOT Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Eden Prairie, Minnesota | 24hr | Managed DetectionRansomware +3 | Get Help | |
| New York, New York | 24hr | ForensicsLegal Support +3 | Get Help | |
| Stow, Ohio | 24hr | Managed DetectionThreat Hunting +3 | Get Help | |
| McLean, Virginia | 24hr | ForensicsGovernment +3 | Get Help | |
| New York, New York | 24hr | ForensicsCompliance +3 | Get Help | |
| New York, New York | 24hr | ForensicsRisk Advisory +3 | Get Help | |
| Chicago, Illinois | 24hr | ForensicsManaged Detection +3 | Get Help | |
| Denver, Colorado | 24hr | Incident ManagementThreat Hunting +3 | Get Help | |
| Herndon, Virginia | 24hr | ForensicsCloud Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Westminster, Colorado | 24hr | ForensicsCompliance +3 | Get Help | |
| Tempe, Arizona | 24hr | Offensive SecurityPenetration Testing +3 | Get Help | |
| Basking Ridge, New Jersey | 24hr | ForensicsData Breach Investigations +3 | Get Help | |
| Denver, Colorado | 24hr | Managed DetectionThreat Hunting +3 | Get Help | |
| Herndon, Virginia | 24hr | Managed DetectionCloud Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Tampa, Florida | 24hr | Open XDRThreat Detection +3 | Get Help | |
| New York, New York | 24hr | Supply Chain DefenseManaged Detection +3 | Get Help | |
| Kansas City, Missouri | 24hr | Managed DetectionIdentity Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Coveware (Veeam)
Featured
| Westport, Connecticut | 24hr | Ransomware NegotiationCyber Extortion +3 | Get Help |
| Sturgis, South Dakota | 24hr | Penetration TestingActive Defense +3 | Get Help | |
| San Jose, California | 24hr | ForensicsMalware Analysis +3 | Get Help | |
| Spearfish, South Dakota | 24hr | Penetration TestingIncident Response +3 | Get Help | |
| Chicago, Illinois | 24hr | Ransomware RecoveryDigital Forensics +3 | Get Help | |
| Dallas, Texas | 24hr | Legal ResponseCompliance +3 | Get Help | |
| Austin, Texas | 24hr | Healthcare SecurityCloud Compliance +3 | Get Help | |
| New York, New York | 24hr | IoMT SecurityMedical Device Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | 24hr | Managed DetectionIncident Response +3 | Get Help | |
| Coralville, Iowa | 24hr | GovernanceRisk Management +3 | Get Help | |
| Tampa, Florida | 24hr | Digital ForensicseDiscovery +3 | Get Help | |
| Stamford, Connecticut | 24hr | Managed SecurityCompliance +3 | Get Help | |
| Boynton Beach, Florida | 24hr | Ransomware ResponseDigital Forensics +3 | Get Help | |
| San Francisco, California | 24hr | Ransomware NegotiationDigital Forensics +3 | Get Help | |
| Sacramento, California | 24hr | Digital ForensicseDiscovery +3 | Get Help | |
| Bethesda, Maryland | 24hr | Digital ForensicsTriage +3 | Get Help | |
| Atlanta, Georgia | 24hr | Mobile ForensicsAccess Technology +3 | Get Help | |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 24hr | Legal ResponseCrisis Management +3 | Get Help | |
| Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 24hr | Legal ResponseInsurance Defense +3 | Get Help | |
| Buffalo, New York | 24hr | Data Breach ResponsePrivacy Litigation +3 | Get Help | |
| Sunnyvale, California | 24hr | Network SecuritySD-WAN +3 | Get Help | |
| Washington, District of Columbia | 24hr | ForensicsData Privacy +3 | Get Help | |
| New York, New York | 24hr | ForensicsDisputes +3 | Get Help | |
| Washington, District of Columbia | 24hr | ForensicsInvestigations +3 | Get Help | |
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | 24hr | Managed DetectionIncident Response +3 | Get Help | |
| Houston, Texas | 24hr | Incident ResponseForensics +3 | Get Help | |
| San Antonio, Texas | 24hr | Managed ITCyber Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Houston, Texas | 24hr | ICS SecurityOT Security +3 | Get Help | |
| Schertz, Texas | 24hr | Managed ITCyber Security +3 | Get Help |
Hiring an IR Firm in the US
What to Look For
✅ Regulatory Expertise
- • Multi-state breach notification experience
- • Industry-specific compliance (HIPAA, GLBA, SEC)
- • State AG notification expertise
- • Class action lawsuit mitigation experience
✅ Response Capabilities
- • 24/7/365 emergency hotline
- • National coverage with regional teams
- • Retainer options for priority service
- • Pre-negotiated cyber insurance relationships
Critical Questions to Ask
- 1. How many multi-state breaches have you handled? Look for firms with experience navigating complex notification requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
- 2. Do you have relationships with state Attorneys General? Established firms have direct contacts with regulatory bodies and understand state-specific expectations.
- 3. What is your experience with [our industry] regulations? HIPAA for healthcare, GLBA for finance, and FERPA for education require specialized expertise.
- 4. Can you work with our cyber insurance carrier? Pre-approved panel firms can streamline claims, reduce friction, and lower out-of-pocket costs.
- 5. What are your retainer terms and pricing? Monthly retainers ($5K-$15K) typically provide 20-30% cost savings and guaranteed response times under 2 hours.
Regional vs National Firms
National Firms
Best for: Multi-state operations, complex APT investigations, Fortune 500 companies
- • Global threat intelligence
- • Resources for large-scale incidents
- • Experience with regulatory scrutiny
- • Higher hourly rates ($300-$600+)
Regional Specialists
Best for: SMBs, single-state operations, industry-specific needs
- • Local regulatory relationships
- • Faster on-site response
- • Industry specialization (e.g., TX healthcare)
- • More competitive pricing ($200-$400/hr)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the breach notification requirements in the US?
The US has no single federal breach notification law. All 50 states, DC, and territories have their own requirements with varying timelines. Most states require notification "without unreasonable delay" or within 30-90 days. California, the strictest, can require notification in as little as 72 hours for certain breaches. Organizations must comply with laws in every state where affected individuals reside.
Do I need to notify federal regulators?
It depends on your industry:
- • Healthcare: HIPAA requires notification to HHS within 60 days
- • Finance: GLBA-regulated entities must notify regulators and customers
- • Public companies: SEC requires disclosure of material cybersecurity incidents within 4 business days
- • Critical infrastructure: CISA notification is strongly recommended but not always mandatory
What is the average cost of incident response in the US?
US incident response costs typically range from $25,000-$75,000 for small to medium incidents, and $150,000-$500,000+ for complex breaches. The 2024 IBM Cost of a Data Breach report shows the average US breach costs $9.36 million—the highest globally. Retainer arrangements ($5,000-$15,000/month) provide priority response and 20-30% cost savings.
Should I hire a national firm or a regional specialist?
National firms offer deep threat intelligence, global resources, and experience with complex multi-state incidents. Regional specialists provide local relationships with state AGs, industry-specific expertise (e.g., healthcare in Texas, finance in New York), and often faster on-site response. The best choice depends on your organization's size, geographic footprint, and industry requirements.