Most ransomware attacks are initiated by organized crime, according to Clear Data. Tony Soprano, anyone? When you think about it, it’s really no different than a shakedown. But instead of Soprano strong-arming you in an alley to extort your money, cybercriminals hijack your data right from the safety of your business or home. And they’re not stopping anytime soon. By the time you take in your next three breaths, a new organization will become a victim of ransomware. That’s a new victim every 11 seconds, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. And in 10 years, ransomware costs are estimated to continue skyrocketing 10 times the total of 2021, to nearly $265 billion, making ransomware one of the fastest growing cybercrimes. But that doesn’t mean you have to fall victim to the statistics. Here’s how you can identify and prevent ransomware attacks for your Kentucky business. How Ransomware Attacks Take Place While no two attacks are the same, the way they get into your systems is similar: An email from a scammer hits your inbox. It demands your attention because it resembles an invoice or notice from a familiar brand. Once you click on the suggested link or download a document, a silent infection starts. The user’s files are then encrypted. Ransom is demanded. The user is given payment instructions and deadlines, usually involving cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin. End result: Your business is faced with locked files or systems, encrypted files and/or destruction of your files. Once a ransomware infection starts, business owners are forced to suffer long-lasting consequences like extended downtime, loss of funds from cleanup and compliance fees and a loss of trust amongst investors and consumers. Early Detection is Critical If preventative, 24/7 ransomware protection and monitoring isn’t maintained, your business could fall victim without even noticing. By not having proper detection tools in place and a plan to thwart malicious activity in the earliest stages, you run the risk of greater damage. According to Cisco, the average detection time for a breach is over six months. The additional time allows cybercriminals to identify critical data, distribute it for profit on the black market and continue extracting further data as time passes. It also opens the door for multiple extortion points to occur through the sale of your private data, the encryption of files and access to new networks and data through exposed information. Similar to auto or home insurance, you don’t want to wait until you need ransomware protection to establish it. Don’t Pay the Ransom Three out of four organizations have experienced a cyberattack in the past 12 months, according to a report by Cisco. And recovery is much more expensive than the ransom. If recovery costs so much, then it makes sense to pay the ransom, right? Wrong. The research says you’d be wasting your money. According to Forbes, an overwhelming 92 percent of those who pay ransom requests don’t get their data back. The best strategy is to deny rans omware attackers payment and allow cybersecurity experts to take control of the situation.  Through the knowledge of a trusted managed security partner, proper encryptions, continuity plans and cybersecurity training, you can avoid ransomware attacks in the first place. Here are a few suggestions: Encrypt Your Data With the right preventative data security, you’ll be able to stop potential threats from getting into your data in the first place. Tools like multifactor authentication, controlled access and various other security measures can not only prevent breaches but alert your business sooner to potential threats. This allows for simple, proactive measures to be taken, rather than reactive scrambling down the line. Train your Team 94 percent of malware, including ransomware, is delivered by email, according to CSO Online. And social engineering is the easiest way into your network for hackers nowadays. With cybersecurity training, your employees can learn ransomware prevention, discovering how to identify common social engineering ploys that come through their inbox before they can claim an unsuspecting victim. Protect Endpoints If you have team members who take their work away from the office, you’ll want to take extra precautions. Public and high traffic areas are prime targets for ransomware attackers to try and gain access to sensitive data. You can stay secure on the go by implementing VPNs. Most corporate users don’t utilize a VPN when they’re using devices outside of the office. With nearly three out of four organizations having experienced a compromise with a roaming user, it’s crucial to get your team to understand the vulnerabilities they expose and stay diligent. Additionally, discouraging the use of personal devices and repeated passwords can provide a much-needed extra layer of security. You Don’t Have to Become an Expert Overnight At Inacomp IT, we help you outmaneuver your ransomware opponents with proactive and comprehensive ransomware protection. Our advanced cybersecurity knowledge and services can help protect your team from ransomware without the added stress and time. We deliver airtight security, so you can focus on your business and rest assured that you have 360 degrees of protection. To better understand how vulnerable you are to ransomware attacks, request our security assessment today.

Most data breaches start with an email. But it’s no regular email. 67% of data breaches are due to attacks like phishing, according to Verizon’s 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report. Knowledge obtained from cybersecurity training is the most critical tool for team members to recognize cyberattacks and phishing emails. This article covers how training your team can turn them into security assets instead of liabilities. If you’re interested in empowering your employees with up-to-date cybersecurity solutions, contact Inacomp IT . Who Do Cybercriminals Target? Cyber attackers are especially interested in small and medium-sized businesses. SMBs are not investing their time as much in security as larger organizations do, like Fortune 500 companies. When hackers know that SMBs might not have the proper IT infrastructure to prevent cyberattacks, due to their inherently smaller budget, this makes them an easy mark for cyber attackers. Unfortunately, this trend of picking on the little man isn’t going away. Nearly half of all cyberattacks target SMBs, and 60% of SMBs close shop within six months of a cyberattack, according to Inc. Business disruptions, downtime and reputational damage all threaten to turn your business into a statistic. Investing in cybersecurity training can reduce the risk of a cyberattack, so every small business needs to take security precautions to ensure protection. What You Can Do Teaching your employees to spot scams is a great way to turn your employees from your weakest link into defenders of your data. You can teach them to exercise caution before reading emails. They can learn to compare the sender’s name and URL. They can scan for bad grammar and “urgent” messaging often used in phishing emails, and you can teach them to think twice about clicking on links from unknown senders. Many companies outsource their IT needs, including cybersecurity training, to ensure they remain protected against a data breach. Inacomp IT specializes in integrating a comprehensive solution that protects your systems and data, with cybersecurity as a top priority. Training educates your team on security tips that minimize the risk of an accidental data breach through human error. From identifying online scams to knowing what comprises a secure password, employees have the potential to turn into a human firewall. Most businesses have experienced a cyberattack. It’s now a regular news report: cybercrime is on the rise. And cybercriminals are growing more sophisticated in their techniques. It’s crucial to arm your team with the knowledge they need to ramp up their cybersecurity. Get Help With Inacomp IT, employees are trained to understand it’s a shared responsibility to stave off cyberattacks. They recognize the accountability of their actions when they’re online, and the dangers are illuminated with educational programming. It can even be fun with simulated phishing attempts and celebratory awards for people who take the appropriate steps to keep the company safe. Once cybersecurity training is a matter of course for all employees, new or existing, the training is updated to make it a permanent part of employment at your business. This serves the purpose of allowing Inacomp IT to keep the training updated to keep it in line with current cyberthreats. Neither you nor your employees want harm to come to your business. Give them the tools they need to stave off cyberthreats and protect your data now and later, when cybercriminals are upping their game. Outmaneuver the bad guys with your greatest asset —your team.