The thought of losing access to your computer, data, or even your entire IT system is enough to give any business owner sleepless nights. So, how can you protect yourself from the disruption and costs that result from a ransomware attack?
Ransomware attacks are becoming a more common occurrence, especially due to how much we rely on our business IT. Approximately 2.39 million cases of cyber crime affected UK businesses in the last 12 months. These can range from receiving scam emails to full data breaches coinciding with ransoms.
Ransomware is a strain of malware that prevents you from accessing your digital devices, including desktop computers, laptops or mobile phones, and the data stored on them.
Data may be stolen, deleted, or encrypted. In some cases, attackers may threaten to publish sensitive data.
Once ransomware gains entry to a device, it can continue spreading to other computers on that same network, and even affect your backup systems.
Once infected, possibly through an unsafe website or e-mail link, the attackers demand a ransom payment, usually in a cryptocurrency which is harder to trace, before they will supposedly unlock your computer or return access to your own data. However, even if you do meet the given demands, there is no guarantee that your data will be restored or that they didn’t make copies of sensitive information.
Ceding to any demands can lose you money and reputation, while allowing the hacker to target you again in the future using any ‘backdoor’s they may have left in your system.
There are several ways that attackers can infiltrate systems for a ransomware attack.
IT users put themselves at risk of attack if they fail to keep on top of their security and IT systems.
Common causes are:
It’s not enough to put security measures in place and leave them; they need to be maintained, reviewed, and renewed to keep on top of cyber-crime development, as well as make the most of the latest technologies in a secure manner.
No ransomware defence offers 100% protection from an attack, but a combination of measures in a layered approach can reduce your vulnerability by preventing, detecting, or mitigating the effect of an attack.
Some of the simplest ways you can protect your business, users, and devices include:
Even with the best defences in place, anyone can be caught out by a ransomware attack.
Before this occurs, you need to create a plan to deal with the consequences.
Identify critical systems and data to understand the impact of a ransomware attack. This can help you to decide how to respond and recover as quickly as possible.
You also need a full back-up plan so that you can restore your data should it become lost.
It can be exceptionally useful to consider the ways you can reduce the likelihood of a successful breach. Implementing team training and testing can help to minimise the risk of human error. A comprehensive penetration test should also be used to highlight any weaknesses and rectify them.
A communications plan should be in place so that you can clearly and effectively explain to clients and staff alike what has happened and any actions they need to take.
This plan includes reporting incidents to key authorities as part of your legal obligations, as well as actions to take in the event of a security breach.
Keeping up to date with the latest security threats and protection options is an ongoing requirement for any business to protect against ransomware attacks.
This must include training to raise employee awareness on the role they can play in combatting ransomware threats.
Ransomware attacks don’t just cause financial loss.
Their impact on reputation, data loss and potential legal penalties make recovery a slow process for a business.
Having the right systems and protocols in place is an investment in your business, so making use of expert advice can help you build and maintain the right defence for your business needs as security threats evolve.
At Syn-Star we offer assurance that you are doing all you can to protect both yourself and your customers.
Anne-Marie Blazdell
Anne-Marie Blazdell is a Marketing & Communications Manager with expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and IT solutions. With a strong foundation in graphic design, she trained at Farnborough College of Technology and Southampton Solent University before advancing into marketing and business IT support.
Since joining Syn-Star in 2022, Anne-Marie has specialised in crafting SEO-optimised website content, managing social media, and helping businesses navigate the complexities of IT. Her work bridges the gap between technology and business, making IT more accessible and effective.
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Anne-Marie Blazdell
Anne-Marie Blazdell is a Marketing & Communications Manager with expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and IT solutions. With a strong foundation in graphic design, she trained at Farnborough College of Technology and Southampton Solent University before advancing into marketing and business IT support.
Since joining Syn-Star in 2022, Anne-Marie has specialised in crafting SEO-optimised website content, managing social media, and helping businesses navigate the complexities of IT. Her work bridges the gap between technology and business, making IT more accessible and effective.
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