The answer, in many cases, is to pay the ransom demand to get the business online sooner. Decisions tend to come from a place that can be emotional but also looks at the overall cost. Does it cost more to pay the ransom or to fight the attack?

One of the biggest issues is that many companies are simply not ready to deal with these attacks. Over the past several years, ransomware has affected hundreds of millions of employees, companies, and customers.

First, data goes through a systematic attack as ransomware encrypts files. Attackers then demand a ransom in bitcoin, to release the encryption and make the data available again.

In the end, IT pros are often left to deal with the chaos of bringing systems back online and resuming normal operations. The longer it takes to bring it all back online, the more money the company loses – in some cases, that amount could be millions. To further prevent the loss, companies feel pressured to simply pay the ransom to get back online fast.

Best practices include updating employee access along with your network’s layout. That means making sure certain elements are in place like two-factor authentication, updating software, and providing training on security policies.

As you prepare for ransomware attacks, you also need to look at the current architecture, environment, and associated technology. Good questions to ask include:

• What weak points exist?
• Where are firewalls in place?
• How can an attack spread be reduced?
• Is there any separation between systems?
• Are there verified, working backups?
• How do employees impact the possibility of attacks?

It’s also important to note that people can also make mistakes by leaving passwords out in the open or their equipment unlocked when they leave. Intruders will then take advantage of those mistakes, and then they get into your systems.

To avoid an attack, you need to make sure your systems are built so the business doesn’t go down. That also means keeping backups updated and secured in an offline location. Additionally, you also want to ensure segment your systems on different networks to minimize damages.

A well-thought-out approach can be the difference between allowing an attack to bring your entire organization down or being an annoying inconvenience. Having a plan or policy in place can prevent paying the ransom the attackers’ demands. 

As it stands, most criminals are not based in-country and so are difficult to trace and persecute. Because of this challenge, it’s better to be prepared for an attack ahead of time. Get your house in order by protecting your systems so you are ready to go when and if attackers target your business. You will be grateful if it does.

To make sure you’re ready for a ransomware attack, IT Done For You can take a look at your systems and give you helpful tips. Contact us to learn more about what we can do for you and your business.