Should you pay ransomware demands?

Paying ransomware is tempting but risky. There's no guarantee attackers will decrypt files, and paying can make you a future target. Plus, it may violate laws if the attackers are sanctioned entities. This is why organizations like the FBI strongly discourage payments . Instead, investing in better prevention and response strategies is key. Should companies focus on prevention rather than paying to recover?

Paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee an end to the attack. The attackers may have installed additional malware or exploits that could allow them to regain access in the future.

Paying ransomware demands can encourage cybercriminals to continue their illicit activities. Instead, investing in robust cybersecurity measures and employee training can help prevent such attacks. Regular data backups can also ensure minimal disruption in case of an attack. It's crucial to report any ransomware attack to the local authorities to aid in tracking these cybercriminals.

Prevent, Prepare, Resist! ???? I'd advise against paying ransomware demands due to the risks of not guaranteeing data recovery and potentially funding further criminal activities. The benefits of not paying include discouraging attackers and maintaining ethical standards. Best practices for prevention include regular backups, software updates, and user education. In response to ransomware, isolate affected systems, assess the impact, and consult professionals. Seek support from cybersecurity agencies and consider data recovery alternatives.

Agreed. You may never pay a ransomware attack, this will finance cyber crime and your network may still be infected once you get the key (if you get it). As you indicate you are a source of money, you will be targeted frequently. Remember: Implementing solutions post an attack might just maintain persistency as the ransomware might be backed-up as well

Refusing to pay ransomware discourages criminal activities by not rewarding attackers, reducing the incentive for future attacks and protecting the broader online community. Paying ransomware does not guarantee the retrieval of data or restoration of systems; in fact, it may further embolden attackers without ensuring a reliable resolution to the security incident.

When crimes are not worthed, the tendency of attacks like this are most likely to disappear. Sadly, the number of ransomware attacks are in the hickes for years is because this is the ease of attack becoming successful and it is still a good source of money.

Les avantages, de ne pas perdre davantage de trésorerie, de ne pas alimenter le business des cyber-assaillants et de garder suffisamment de budget afin de revoir les modèles, les procédures et d'implémenter les bonnes pratiques dans les meilleurs conditions.

Refusing to pay ransomware sets a powerful precedent: security over negotiation. This could deter future attacks and prevent costly legal issues. Research shows that 80% of companies that refuse to pay invest more in cybersecurity. Should more businesses adopt a "no payment" stance to reduce global ransomware incentives?

Choosing not to pay ransomware offers several benefits. Firstly, it avoids funding criminal activities, disrupting the financial incentive for attackers. Secondly, it promotes a collective stance against cybercrime, discouraging future attacks. Thirdly, not paying encourages organizations to invest in proactive cybersecurity measures, strengthening overall defenses. Additionally, organizations can seek assistance from law enforcement, fostering collaboration in combating cyber threats. While challenging, adopting a resilient cybersecurity strategy and refusing ransom payments contribute to a more secure digital landscape and deter malicious actors.

Proactive defense is your best bet against ransomware. Updating software, using multi-factor authentication, and backing up data regularly are proven to reduce ransomware incidents by 30%. Phishing education is crucial—human error still accounts for 85% of breaches. What more can businesses do to enhance user awareness?

? Une bonne cartographie de son SI ? Une matrice de Flux ? Durcir les systèmes, les serveurs exposés, etc. ? Documenter le plus possible ? Revoir la gestion IAM et contr?ler régulièrement ? Réduire la surface d'attaque sans perturber le business ? Travailler conjointement entre les différents départements cruciaux tels que les RH, les finances, etc. ? Sensibiliser, former sans jouer sur les émotions du personnel

1. Frequent Security awareness training for the staff. 2. Enable web filtering on endpoints which will minimize the access of fraudulent and malicious websites . 3. Disable USB storage access for endpoint which has no business requirement for storage usage. 4. Remove admin privileges from the endpoints which has no business requirement. 5. Perform regular backups in an offsite location with encryption.

Best Practices zum Verhindern von Ransomware: 1.: Regelm??ige Schulungen und Sensibilisierung Ihre Mitarbeiter Simulieren Sie realistische Angriffsszenarien, um die Reaktionsf?higkeit zu verbessern. 2.: Daten-Backup-Strategie und Wiederherstellungspl?ne für alle wichtigen Daten und Informationen. Backups auf sicheren und isolierten Speichermedien speichern. Entwickeln Sie klare Wiederherstellungspl?ne für den Fall einer Ransomware-Infektion. Diese Strategie minimiert potenzielle Verluste und sorgt für eine zügige Fortsetzung der Gesch?ftsaktivit?ten.

Preventing ransomware requires a multifaceted approach. Regularly update and patch systems, employ robust antivirus software, and conduct employee training on recognizing phishing attempts. Implement strong access controls and least privilege principles to limit unauthorized access. Back up critical data regularly, storing it offline to ensure recovery options. Utilize network segmentation to contain potential infections. Stay informed about emerging threats and leverage threat intelligence. Foster a cybersecurity culture emphasizing vigilance and reporting. By combining these best practices, organizations can fortify their defenses and significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to ransomware attacks.

? Déconnexion de l'internet (éviter la persistance avec un éventuel C&C) ? Isoler les systèmes infectés ? Prévenir les acteurs autour de la gestion de crise (Comex, Codir, CA, etc.) ? Préparer une communication autour de la crise ? Prévenir les autorités compétentes en cas de fuites de données avérées ? Appliquer les procédures autour du PCA ? S'assurer que les backups sont présents et fonctionnels ? Se faire aider par des cellules spécialisés (CERT, CSIRT, etc.) si besoin ? Ne pas rester mutin, communiquer à fréquence régulière

A best practice for responding to a ransomware attack is to ensure senior leaders and key stakeholders are engaged early on and notified of changing ransomware demands and incident response updates. Deciding whether to pay a ransomware demand is highly situational with various factors taken into consideration. Ultimately, organizations should consider whether paying the ransom is acceptable within the confines of the company's risk appetite.

A calm, measured response is critical during a ransomware attack. Disconnect from the network immediately and consult experts. According to a recent IBM report, 52% of businesses that followed a pre-defined ransomware response plan minimized damage. How prepared is your organization for an immediate ransomware response?

Disconnecting from the network may or may not help you. Some malware is specifically able to trigger additional actions the moment you disconnect. Besides, if all data is already compromised, encrypted or not, disconnecting may not change the matter at hand at all. I know it’s it has been the standard advice for a long time in the industry, but be careful by following this up as you may get more then you bargained for.

Disconnecting from the network or shutting down your devices is usually no help. Maybe it makes it even worse. The common approach of modern malware is to infect all reachable systems before encrypting. Most probably you are infected for a long time before you even notice. Stay calm and contact a professional security company if you do not have experts in-house. It is not wise to act without the expert's knowlege since you will most likely increase the damage.

Organizations like No More Ransom and CISA provide vital support for ransomware victims. Their free decryption tools have helped recover over $900 million in stolen data. Turning to trusted resources early can make a huge difference. How can businesses ensure their teams know where to seek help in an attack?

If your company is located in Germany you can contact the BSI or LKA. They can provide help and you do not need to be afraid to get blamed.

First step is to shut off anyone who may come with “you should have done this and that”. Second, make sure the decision makers understand that regardless of you get the data, the incident needs to be reported. try to estimate a cost for reputation and regulatory fines. Lastly, try to estimate the loss if you are to not pay the ransom and going ahead with the operations. see if all the costs falls between the tolerable levels and if not, how to bring it down. If you are still in the opinion of paying the ransom after all that, do understand that most of the times the attackers don’t have the capability recover all they have encrypted and even if they could, they don’t have an incentive to do so after you transfer them the money.

Use Nomoreransom.org to test whether your encrypted data can be decrypted without paying a ransom. Nomoreransom.org is an initiative of the National High Tech Crime Unit of the Dutch police and the Europol Cybercrime Center, among others. Use backups to restore the data. Even with older backups, you will probably get more data back than if you pay the ransom. Regardless of whether you pay a ransom or not, after a successful ransomware attack, it is essential that you fully secure your system against further attacks.

One technique I use with my clients it the 360-degree visualization technique by guiding them through the different angles for them understand the cause and effect of their decisions, in a psychological safe space. We have a narrow view of challenges when we look at it from our point of view only. But applying empathy and understanding a 360-degree impact takes up a lot of mental energy, especially if we are dealing with competing priorities and responsibilities. That's why using emotional intelligence to help leaders look at a ransomware scenario through a 360-degree lens, will enhance their clarity and confidence to put in place the right mitigation and prevention measures.

Cyber insurance and negotiation through a third party can sometimes offer solutions beyond paying the ransom. Cyber insurers are now reimbursing up to 60% of ransomware recovery costs. This gives organizations a financial safety net. Should every business invest in cyber insurance as part of their defense strategy?

Ransomware isn't just a tech problem—it's a business and reputational risk. The impact on trust with customers and partners can be devastating, with recovery costs reaching millions. Building strong partnerships and maintaining transparency during a breach is key. How can companies balance swift recovery with preserving customer trust?

It's not recommended! Paying does not guarantee data recovery and can fuel further attacks. Instead, focus on prevention and backup strategies. In addition, consult with security experts and law enforcement for guidance.

?? Companies that paid a ransom only received 65% of their encrypted data back on average. ?? Only 8% had all of their data decrypted. ?? Almost a third - 29% - had a maximum of half of the data decrypted. ?? When weighing up the costs and benefits of paying a ransom, companies should therefore assume that they will get about 2/3 of their data back. ?? An almost banal but nevertheless important result of a study: The industries that were most often able to restore their data from backups were the least likely to pay ransoms.