Ransomware attacks have increased exponentially over the past few as hackers have taken advantage of unaddressed security vulnerabilities when organizations made the move to remote and hybrid work models.
“Globally, there were 304.7 million ransomware attacks in the first half of 2021, a 151% increase since 2020.” (SonicWall)
Ransomware is a form of cyber hijacking where hackers access your information, encrypt it, and hold it for ransom until you pay a certain amount of money.
Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of a ransomware attack and minimize the risk for damage:
- Update and review your company’s incident response plan.
- Review your company’s cyber insurance policy to determine what it will cover, and whether it is enough.
- Make sure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is activated on all company accounts, including all media accounts and service accounts, and make sure that strong spam filters are used.
- In the event your company’s email systems are affected by a cyberattack ensure that senior management has access to a secure texting app.
- Conduct training sessions to educate your employees about phishing emails and increase awareness of how hackers will try to trick them into clicking dangerous links or downloading malware.
- Consider having a reputable forensic firm conduct a pre-emptive threat hunt to identify data security events or vulnerabilities.
- Review the protocol and cybersecurity programs that key vendors use, especially those that handle your company’s critical or sensitive data.
- Conduct regular testing of your backup systems to ensure they are working, up-to-date and kept segregated from your company’s other systems to prevent them from being included in a ransomware attack.
Ransomware attacks may be increasing, but they don’t have to be devastating to your business. By being aware of a potential threat and understanding how to prepare, you can speed up recovery in the event of an attack.
About NATIONAL
Committed to their customers since 1927, NATIONAL offers a range of Managed Services including IT Support and Augmentation, Cybersecurity, UCaaS, Managed Print, Document Management as well as VoIP/Telephony, Cloud Services, Printers, Copiers, MFPs, Product Print Equipment and SmartBoards.
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