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Shield Your Data: Learn How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks with These 3 Effective Methods

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Looking at the frequency and scope of ransomware attacks, and the number of small and midsize businesses falling victim, we remain surprised at how many SMBs are not yet taking steps to prevent the problem. If you don’t work to prevent ransomware attacks it can result in devastating financial and reputational consequences, making prevention a critical priority for businesses of all sizes. In this article, we’ll explore what ransomware is, how it works, and most importantly, what steps you can take to protect your organization against this threat.

What Is Ransomware and How Can it Affect Your Business?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt files or lock computer systems, effectively holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. It infiltrates a system through various means, such as phishing emails, malicious downloads, or exploiting software vulnerabilities. Once the ransomware infects a device or network, it quickly encrypts files, rendering them inaccessible to the owner.

A ransomware attack with no data loss can still cost your business $1,500 per employee, or more, in recovery costs and lost productivity. Organizations all throughout the world detected 493.33 million ransomware assaults in 2022, emphasizing the importance of good ransomware prevention techniques. 

Recently on our 3T@3 Webcast we focused on Ransomware, and following that we also published a Business Guide to Ransomware. Both highlighted the need for the CPR methods (communicate, prevention, recover).

3 Proactive Methods to Prevent Ransomware and Protect Your Data

1. Communicate:

Educate and train employees on how not to fall victim; provide clear policies and procedures that reinforce positive behaviors.

2. Prevention:

Deploy technologies in support of your policies and procedures with multi-layered protection against malware and, specifically, ransomware.

3. Recover:

No prevention is perfect; have backup and continuity systems in place that enable a quick return to normal operations.

While most of the SMBs and schools we speak with understand and have some of the ransomware prevention and recovery solutions in place, the up-front education is missing. These businesses and schools remain vulnerable targets.

Earlier this year, we announced a strategic partnership with Privacy Ref, offering affordable Privacy Solutions for SMBs, including a subscription-based Privacy Education Program. For a small base fee and $10 per employee per year, we help ensure your team understands the risks, the importance of awareness, and how to avoid becoming a victim.

For a fraction of the cost of an attack, you can empower your team to avoid and prevent it from happening.

Contact us for more information.

 

 

Fast Fact Friday: Ransomware Cloud Attacks

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Fast FactAccording to the Datto’s 2016 Global Ransomware Report, a survey of 1,100 IT service providers …

70% report Dropbox being the target of the ransomware attack

44% of attacks targeted Professional Services

38% of attacks targeted Healthcare

Are you moving to the cloud? Is your roadmap in line with your business goals? Contact us for a no-obligation Cloud Advisor session.

Rethinking Risks and Responses

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Malware, Ransomware, Natural Disasters and More Keep Hitting SMBs Hard

Never have we had a greater ability to work together to get things done than we do right now. As our cloud and hybrid environments expand, the ease-of-use encourages us to share ideas and information and to collaborate in new and exciting ways.

Never have we been under attack from so many directions. Changing weather patterns and aging infrastructure leave businesses without power for days instead of hours. Fading employee loyalty means more chances for information to walk out the door. The same features that let us easily share information also let us accidentally share information we shouldn’t. Malware and viruses have evolved from a nuisance to potentially existential threats with the increase in ransomware and advanced persistent threats.

Our Businesses, Employees, and Customers Need and Expect Protection

With the risks and impacts on the rise, we as small and midsize business owners and technologists should rethink how we both prepare and respond. Since the dawn of business computing, large enterprises have built expensive solutions to ensure that their businesses keep running “no matter what”.  Now that we are in the cloud, and solutions are incredibly affordable, we need to adopt the same approach.

Business continuity is no longer just being able to keep your business running after a disaster.

Business continuity means that you are able to prevent business disruptions and distractions, regardless of the cause. Business continuity means …

  • You actively work to minimize the chance of a ransomware attack, and that you can respond and recover quickly should it happen.
  • You have systems and procedures in place to prevent data loss and privacy breaches, and that you can detect and mitigate issues quickly and effectively.
  • You and your team are no longer tethered to the hardware, Internet access, and electricity in your offices.

For SMBs, now is the time to consider the tangible and intangible costs of business interruptions of all types and to see the value in solutions to prevent and recovery. Understand the value proposition of that goes beyond dollars and cents to include the customer relationship impact and the toll that business disruption has on your team.

Food for Thought: