One of the biggest threats your business’s data and revenue can face in 2022 is ransomware. Several high-profile companies and large organizations have already fallen victim to this cybercrime worldwide, and the expected damages are predicted to total around $20 billion in the coming year. Moreover, according to recent figures, Cybersecurity Ventures has predicted that ransomware attacks will increase in frequency too as high as one every 11 seconds. Therefore, it is advisable to take a closer look at your business’s cybersecurity procedures today and make sure your organization is protected against malicious intent.
Conduct Risk Analysis
A good place to start is to test your business’s potential response in the event of a ransomware attack. A cybersecurity risk analysis conducted by an external party can help expose the vulnerabilities in your security systems. An action plan can then be devised from the suggestions provided.
Backup Your Data
Perhaps one of the first and most important things you need to pay attention to is your backups. In case of any unfortunate event, an updated backup can literally save your business’s life. Backing up your important data regularly and storing it somewhere not connected to the network is the way to go. The restoration process should also be checked frequently to eliminate inconvenience and risk.
Cybersecurity Training
Moreover, your employees are a crucial part of your business, and their contribution to this cause can greatly help you achieve your objectives. You can provide special cybersecurity training to your employees and educate them about the dos and don’ts of preventing and dealing with a ransomware attack.
Patch Potential Vulnerabilities
Another regular task that can prove as a lifeline for your business is software patching. While it is a crucial part of cybersecurity, most organizations fail to treat it as such partly because it is a time-consuming process. However, one IT person assigned to find out and fix weak spots can easily do the job.
Have a Recovery Plan
In case your business does get attacked by ransomware, how you respond to it will make or break your business. A pre-decided recovery plan can help you protect valuable information, your business’s money, and your reputation in the market. A recovery plan usually consists of a specially trained disaster recovery team, a strategy, insurance, backup inventory, and a thorough understanding of what needs to be done to restore data.
Invest in a Ransomware Protection Program
While the steps mentioned above and precautions can lower your business’s risk of being attacked by ransomware, they do not eliminate it. Therefore, it is recommended to start thinking about investing in a proper solution for the problem and get your business a ransomware protection program. These programs are designed and fully equipped to prevent and deal with all kinds of cyber threats and can effectively protect your business regardless of the IT systems it uses.
Conclusion
While 2021 has already tested us to our limits, and we’re expecting to see better things in the coming year, it is never a good time to slack off on cybersecurity systems and let your businesses stay vulnerable. Start thinking about a ransomware protection solution today for your business’s safe future.