In order to function properly, the modern business needs data. With the predictions of serious cyberattacks, like ransomware, that have been made for the coming year there is no business that can neglect its data protections. Here, we’ll discuss what these predictions are, and what you need to do to prepare.
Understanding Ransomware
“To ransom” is defined as holding something (usually someone) captive until payment is given for their release. This precisely sums up what this variety of malware does: Once it infects a system, ransomware encrypts the files on the device and locks the user out until the user pays the party responsible to decrypt the data. Ransomware has seen great popularity among cybercriminals, and has become notorious among computer users thanks to the likes of Petya, WannaCry, and Cryptolocker.
A Persistent Threat
Unfortunately, 2020 shows little promise of being the year that ransomware attacks fall out of style. This could spell particular disaster for companies that work in regulated industries. This is especially true since there has been an increase in attackers actually leaking the data they have infiltrated. In the past, this wasn’t an uncommon threat, but it was rarely fulfilled.
Making a not-great situation even worse, ransomware will only become more potent with the integration of technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Not the Only Worry
On top of external threats like ransomware and other issues, there are plenty of internal factors that can put your data at risk. Primarily, you have your users. Regardless of whether or not it was intentional, your users could be a serious detriment to your operations and processes.
Furthermore, you always need to consider the possibility that the technology you depend on will fall short, or any of a great number of other circumstances will put your critical data at risk. Natural disasters are present everywhere, in one form or another, and your data could be a casualty of such an event.
What Can Be Done
To protect your business from the adverse effects of data loss, it is strongly recommended that you maintain a backup solution that subscribes to best practices. This backup solution should be an offsite copy of your data that automatically updates itself as often as possible – which could easily be every 15 minutes.
With a backup in place, you can have the peace of mind of knowing that your business and its data is protected against misfortune. Macatawa Technologies can help you implement one – reach out to us at 616-394-4940 to learn more.
