The Growing Threat of Ransomware Attacks
According to a recent report by Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity, more than two-thirds (68%) of manufacturing companies hit by ransomware attacks globally had their data encrypted by hackers. This is the highest reported encryption rate for the sector over the past three years and is in line with a broader cross-sector trend of attackers more frequently succeeding in encrypting data.
Ransomware attacks have become an increasingly common threat to businesses and organizations of all sizes. These attacks involve hackers gaining access to a company's computer systems and encrypting their data, making it inaccessible to the company. The hackers then demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key.
Manufacturing Industry Hit Hard by Ransomware
The manufacturing industry has been particularly hard hit by these attacks. Despite an increase in the percentage of manufacturing organizations that used backups to recover data, with 73% of the manufacturing firms using backups this year versus 58% in the previous year, the sector still has one of the lowest data recovery rates.
This highlights the importance of companies taking proactive measures to protect themselves against ransomware attacks. This includes regularly backing up important data, keeping software and systems up to date with the latest security patches, and training employees on how to recognize and avoid phishing emails and other common attack vectors.
Protecting Against Ransomware: Best Practices for Companies
In addition to these preventative measures, companies should also have a plan in place for how to respond in the event of a ransomware attack. This includes knowing who to contact for assistance, having a communication plan for informing customers and other stakeholders and having a plan for how to restore operations as quickly as possible.
The threat of ransomware attacks is not going away anytime soon. By taking proactive steps to protect themselves, companies can reduce their risk of falling victim to these attacks and minimize the impact if an attack does occur.
