If your organisation is committed to keeping your assets and data safe, then it’s important to be aware of ransomware and how it can impact you. Ransomware is a type of malware that is used by hackers to access a company’s system and prevent the organisation from accessing files and software, unless a ransom is paid. According to Security Brief, as of late last year, over two-thirds of Australian businesses had suffered a ransomware attack in the last 12 months. This is 10 percentage points above the global average.
There are things you can do to protect your organization:
- Back up computers, phones, and devices regularly
Having this storage backup on hand will be crucial if you are impacted by a ransomware attack, and will allow for some business continuity should the attack happen over a prolonged period. It doesn’t stop the cyber attacker from utilizing the data they’ve access, but it allows you to not be entirely locked out from crucial information.
- Educate your staff and create safeguards
Making sure your staff is on board with cyber security protocols is one of the best things you can do to prevent a ransomware attack. Educate staff on phishing, how to identify malicious links and other potentially dangerous materials. Also, work with your IT point of contact to remove administrative privileges and other software features for staff members that don’t need them to limit a hacker’s access level, should they access your systems.
- Have a plan in place, should a ransomware attack occur
Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Vertex prides itself on being a strategic cyber security partner with organizations, and through our cybersecurity assessment, penetration testing and incident management services, we can help you before (and when) disaster strikes.
Developing a business continuity plan and disaster recovery plan, along with our cyber security testing and prevention services, will ensure that your organisation can weather any ransomware attack on your business.
