Don’t Let Extortion Destroy Your Business

Here’s a challenge; go to any cybersecurity news website and see how far you can go before seeing an article about some new type of ransomware attack. It’s everywhere, and it’s scary, but that doesn’t mean your business has to cower in fear. With the right tools and resources at your disposal, you too can fight back against ransomware. Here’s how you can protect your business from ransomware and the threats it poses.

But First, What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks data with encryption until the victim pays a ransom. Since it first emerged, ransomware has gone through several iterations, each of which have made it more dangerous and difficult to contain. Some variants will simply lock down data, but others will make copies of data, leak the information to the press, or contact the victims directly if the business doesn’t pay up.

As you can imagine, the consequences of a ransomware attack are dire:

  • Downtime: Locked files make it impossible to work, which means that your business suffers from downtime until the situation resolves.
  • Lost trust: Your customers and clients expect you to take good care of their data, and if it’s compromised in a ransomware attack, it could damage your reputation and make it harder to continue doing business.
  • Data loss: There’s no guarantee that you’ll get your data back, even if you pay the ransom. 

The best way to combat ransomware is simple: keep it from infecting your business in the first place.

How to Stop Ransomware in Its Tracks

Simply put, if your business is dealing with a ransomware attack, you’re too late. The only real way to prevent ransomware from damaging your business is to put measures in place to stop it well before it takes root. This means you need a firewall, endpoint protection, and email filtering, as well as comprehensive training for your team.

The ultimate failsafe, however, is to have a comprehensive and tested backup and disaster recovery plan. Unless the ransomware attack is using double or triple extortion tactics, you can simply deploy a backup and dodge paying the ransom entirely.

Are All These Ransomware Protections Worth It?

The problem with ransomware protection is that the benefits and value are mostly invisible. They aren’t seen on a day-to-day basis, and the value is mostly measured by what your business doesn’t experience. This might make you question if the protections are actually worth it and necessary, but to put things in perspective, consider what’s at risk if you don’t have these measures in place and you experience an attack.

Make no mistake—ransomware is out there, and you don’t want to be on the receiving end unprepared. The same goes for just about any other security risk. To help your business stay ahead of the countless threats out there, you need strategies and solutions—both of which are available with White Mountain IT Services on your side.

Learn more about how to protect your business by calling us today at (603) 889-0800.

White Mountain IT

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