How to prevent your Business from unknowingly become susceptible to Ransomware Attacks?

Just imagine, you are working in your office preparing a presentation for company`s new project launch when you are suddenly struck with a bizarre message displayed on your laptop:  all “your files on this computer have been encrypted”. You soon realize it’s not just your laptop, but almost every computer in your organization is affected. All the information stored on your company`s computers, laptops and servers are being held hostage by cybercriminals and you are left with only two options either to comply with their demand or lose your important data. Your IT managed service provider may be able to advise you how to deal with this situation but one thing is for sure you will not be able to perform your normal business operations for some time.

For you, it may sound something out of science fiction movie, but in reality, such situations can occur any time because ransomware is a real threat. Ransomware today is affecting businesses of all types and sizes from hospitals, financial institutions, public schools, to small businesses no one is. Victim`s whole data become hostage through encryption where decryption keys are held by cyber criminal making it inaccessible for use. To make it worse sometimes most sophisticated IT security solutions does not work.

Most of the time when such attack is executed the employees remain unaware of it until it’s too late. The ransomware gets into organizations computer network when someone opens an email with suspicious links their computer, and eventually, Local area network becomes infected with ransomware.

Although ransomware is around for a decade now, it has only become the biggest threat very recently especially after the introduction of Bitcoin that makes it possible for cybercriminals to get anonymous payments. The variants of ransomware and number of generated attacks have significantly grown over the last one year. With easily available customized ransomware programs on the dark web, it has never been that easy to create conduct ransomware attack. As a result, the number of ransomware infections has increased 600% in 2016.

So the threat is real and growing what organizations can do to minimize such kind of cyber-attacks? You may also be interested in reading our other blog titled “How to protect your business from cybercrimes”?

Here are key aspects that every organization should aware.

• Your Employees May Unknowingly Be The Biggest Risk.

One of the biggest threat that organizations face and don’t often recognize is insider threat that comes from behavior and lack of knowledge of employees. From clicking on suspicious links, bringing their own devices and connecting them to the organization`s local area network, downloading and installing unauthorized applications and software, one employee unsuspectingly can put entire organization`s information security at risk.

Email is one of the biggest ransomware delivery methods, where the infection may start via attachment or link to the malicious file. Spear Phishing tactics that involve sending an email that may seem to be authentic source making you to open that email with an attachment. Another type encourages employees to download free or useful software that has embedded ransomware with that file.  An example of this type of attack offers to boost up the speed of your computer or clean registry from the unwanted file.  Once downloaded it then encrypt your network data.

So it is ultimately employees who may become the source of exposing your business organization to unwanted threats. One way to deal with this problem is educating employees on identifying which one can be a phishing email.  For example organizations like PhishMe with real purpose create phishing campaign to check if employees can identify it or not. In case they fail to identify phishing email they provide them training course that educates them about it.

• Technology To Empower Your Business Is Making It Worse.

The technology that uses to empower your business is also putting your business at risk, for example, digital communication, and mobile technology if left unprotected can make your business susceptible to ransomware attacks.

With Unified communication, phone systems become more collaborative, and the ability of organizations to send and receive the message and conducting video chat has increased significantly. Similarly, iPhone and other mobile devices may not be a big target but also pose threats. For example in 2015 Hackers gained access to millions of Google accounts through a vulnerable application installed on the smart device.

The threat posed by technology can only be reduced through the implementation of the cybersecurity program. You will need the help of Managed IT Service provider with specialization in cybersecurity to reduce this risk.

• Security Needs To Be A Priority.

Most of the organizations know security is important for them however it is not prioritized and in the list of priorities, it is often neglected not given due attention. In many ways, organizations feel they should not be the target of the organization as they are not attractive for hackers.  However this in most cases prove to be false small and large, or any type of organizations are equally under attack. Security should be a high priority and is the responsibility of higher management. it requires direct involvement of CSOs and CEOs.

If you implement reliable IT security solutions then with their assistance and evaluation you can understand how well you are currently prepared for ransomware attacks.

• Track & Control Sensitive Data.

Today`s cybercriminals are equipped with a range of sophisticated tools and techniques that can help them to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Even it is also possible for them that can change the figure prints and signatures. Therefore, it is important that your organization also keep track of sensitive data. This is not possible with few measures perhaps you should develop and implement a multi-layer security strategy that includes use of hardware devices, applications and information security policy and practices to ensure your organization has an adequate level of security. With the help of Managed IT support services, you can identify the ways to improve your control over access and availability of sensitive information.

Are you worried about the security of your critical information? Do contact us for free advice and assessment.