Ransomware – ran·som·ware – a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

Resiliency – ri-zil-yuh n-see –  the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., the ability to recover readily

The ever-growing threat of ransomware over the past few years has IT professionals adding additional security controls. The only protection from a ransomware attack is to prevent it. This is why ransomware resiliency is so important to all organizations.

Ransomware Resiliency is multi-dimensional. It requires security awareness, technological solutions and human vigilance. Your organization must have a comprehensive plan that is embedded in the culture to withstand a ransomware attack.

Here are just a few ways you can increase your organization’s ransomware resiliency

• Back up data – 3-2-1 backup rule!
  • Original plus 2 copies
  • Two different backup types
  • One copy offsite
• Keep your software up to date
• Do not leave applications (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive etc.) open. Sync data and close
• Adjust browser privacy and security settings for increased protection
• Use a reliable antivirus product that includes an automatic update module and a real-time scanner
• Never open email from an unknown user
• Do not open attachments or click on links in suspicious or spam email

Finally keep this in mind, a resiliency plan is useless if no one knows what to do with it. And, ask yourself “what are the financial consequences of losing your organization’s information services”?

Ransomware brought extortion to a global scale, and it is up to us, users, business-owners and decision-makers, to disrupt it.