As you most likely know by now, ransomware is in the news again. This latest cyber threat, known as WannaCry, claimed over 200,000 victims in 150 countries, including factories, hospitals, small businesses and schools – one of the most severe ransomware outbreaks in history.
As ransomware becomes a household name, one thing is for certain: Global cybersecurity has reached a moment of emergency.
You want to keep your data safe, protecting the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of your employees, vendors, partners and customers. You want to stay one step ahead of this accelerating cyber threat. You want to be prepared to combat any cyber disruption – at any time.
Here are the critical questions you must ask yourself:
- Do you have backup and disaster recovery system in place?
- Is all software up-to-date?
- Is your antivirus up-to-date?
- Is your Microsoft patched?
This latest ransomware attack, WannaCry, brought computers from Russia, England and China, as well as the United States, to a cyber halt – literally locking people out of their data and demanding they pay a ransom or lose everything. WannaCry travels across corporate networks, spreading quickly through file-sharing systems. It seems Windows-powered PCs that are not currently operating with updated software to protect from this vulnerability are at the greatest risk.
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Be Alert!
Datto’s 2016 Ransomware Report share that ransomware attacks against small businesses are growing in diabolical popularity. In fact, 91 percent of IT service providers report ransomware attacks against small businesses, and 31 percent report they have experienced multiple ransomware attacks in a single day. What are the industries leading the ransomware victim list? Professional services, healthcare and construction/manufacturing, according to the Datto report. Unfortunately, less than one in four ransomware incidents are reported to authorities.
Is your business ready with a backup and disaster recovery strategy that will preserve your business continuity? How will your business manage the next ransomware crisis – will it dodge a bullet or be caught in the crossfire? The recent WannaCry ransomware attack infected victims in 150 countries before finally slowing its cyber assault. However, experts warn that it is far from over. Microsoft is referring to the attack as a wake-up call and a reminder for users to apply the most recent security updates.
WannaCry was slowed by a UK security researcher who helped limit the damage of the attack, but cybersecurity experts around the world caution another ransomware monster may already be headed this way. Ready or not, here comes trouble. Isn’t it better to be ready?
Ransomware attacks are making headlines in 2017. The cybersecurity and ransomware experts on CompuData’s Managed IT Services team can get your business ready for what’s to come – be prepared! Contact CompuData today!