A
Amit Ambekar
Guest
If thereβs one word that keeps IT teams awake at night, itβs Ransomware.
Ransomware attacks donβt just lock files they can halt operations, leak sensitive data and destroy reputations. For SMBs especially, the impact can be catastrophic.
Thatβs why September is Ransomware Resilience Month to help organizations prepare, protect and recover.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts files and demands payment (usually in cryptocurrency) for their release.
Some advanced strains now also perform double extortion: they exfiltrate data first and threaten to publish it if ransom isnβt paid.
Real-Life Example: WannaCry Attack (2017)
In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware spread worldwide, exploiting a Windows vulnerability.
It hit over 200,000 computers in 150+ countries.
Organizations like the UKβs National Health Service (NHS) saw thousands of appointments canceled because hospital systems were locked.
Damage estimates reached billions of dollars.
Many of the victims were SMBs running outdated systems and lacking proper backups showing that ransomware doesnβt just target big corporations.
Practical Steps for IT Workers
Patch and Update Regularly
Backup, Backup, Backup...
Implement Least Privilege Access
Email and Web Filtering
Network Segmentation
Incident Response Plan
Document what to do if ransomware strikes:
Free Tools to Help SMBs
No More Ransom Project (nomoreransom.org
) β Provides free decryption tools for certain ransomware families.
Windows Defender / Microsoft Security Essentials β Strong built-in protection if kept updated.
Malwarebytes (Free Edition) β Useful for detecting and removing ransomware-related malware.
My Thoughts
For many SMBs, ransomware feels like an βonly big companies get hitβ problem. The truth? Attackers often prefer SMBs because defenses are weaker, backups may be inconsistent and downtime is harder to absorb.
Think of ransomware resilience like a seatbelt:
Quick Win for September
Ransomware isnβt going away itβs evolving. But with strong prevention, reliable backups and a clear response plan, SMBs can stay resilient.
Continue reading...
Ransomware attacks donβt just lock files they can halt operations, leak sensitive data and destroy reputations. For SMBs especially, the impact can be catastrophic.
Thatβs why September is Ransomware Resilience Month to help organizations prepare, protect and recover.
What is Ransomware? Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts files and demands payment (usually in cryptocurrency) for their release.
Some advanced strains now also perform double extortion: they exfiltrate data first and threaten to publish it if ransom isnβt paid.
Real-Life Example: WannaCry Attack (2017) In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware spread worldwide, exploiting a Windows vulnerability.
It hit over 200,000 computers in 150+ countries.
Organizations like the UKβs National Health Service (NHS) saw thousands of appointments canceled because hospital systems were locked.
Damage estimates reached billions of dollars.
Many of the victims were SMBs running outdated systems and lacking proper backups showing that ransomware doesnβt just target big corporations.
Practical Steps for IT Workers Patch and Update Regularly- Most ransomware spreads by exploiting unpatched systems. Ensure OS, browsers and critical software are always updated.
Backup, Backup, Backup...- Maintain 3-2-1 backup strategy: 3 copies of data, 2 on different media, 1 offsite/offline.
- Test backups regularly to ensure recovery works.
Implement Least Privilege Access- Users should only have access to what they need.
- Admin accounts should be tightly controlled.
Email and Web Filtering- Deploy spam filters to catch phishing attempts (the #1 ransomware entry point).
- Train staff to avoid suspicious attachments or links.
Network Segmentation- Divide your network so ransomware canβt spread laterally across all systems.
Incident Response PlanDocument what to do if ransomware strikes:
- Who to notify
- How to isolate systems
- Which recovery steps to follow
Free Tools to Help SMBs No More Ransom Project (nomoreransom.org) β Provides free decryption tools for certain ransomware families.
Windows Defender / Microsoft Security Essentials β Strong built-in protection if kept updated. Malwarebytes (Free Edition) β Useful for detecting and removing ransomware-related malware. My Thoughts For many SMBs, ransomware feels like an βonly big companies get hitβ problem. The truth? Attackers often prefer SMBs because defenses are weaker, backups may be inconsistent and downtime is harder to absorb.
Think of ransomware resilience like a seatbelt:
- You hope youβll never need it.
- But when an accident happens, youβll be glad itβs there.
Quick Win for September - Run a Ransomware Readiness Drill this month:
- Simulate what would happen if your main server got encrypted.
- Check: Do you have backups? Can you restore them quickly? Who responds first?
- Document lessons learned and refine your plan.
Ransomware isnβt going away itβs evolving. But with strong prevention, reliable backups and a clear response plan, SMBs can stay resilient.
Continue reading...
