In today’s digital world, the threat of ransomware is not one to be taken lightly. Malicious software is injected into the operating systems of businesses, encrypting valuable data and holding it hostage until a ransom is paid. The consequences of a ransomware attack can be devastating and not only lead to reputational damage but financial losses & operational disruption.
The need for a swift, effective ransomware recovery is incredibly critical. Most businesses expect to wait a few days or weeks to be up and running again, but in reality the average time taken to fully recover from the damage & disruption of an attack is closer to a month. Small businesses are often hit the hardest due to lasting brand damage and a loss of customer trust.
Every second counts when it comes to ransomware recovery, so what steps can your business take to ensure you recover from a potential attack within hours or days, at the very latest?
Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) are key disaster recovery metrics that should form part of your organisation’s disaster recovery plan. RPOs give you a true indication of the cost of data loss following a ransomware attack, while RTOs give you an idea of how long it will take to recover data.
By setting specific recovery targets, your business will be in a strong position to implement recovery strategies that are aligned with your operational requirements. Achieving the lowest possible RPO and RTO rates is ideal as this means your business will be able to return to normal as quickly as possible.
There are two options when it comes to the type of data vault architecture you can choose: cloud-based solutions and on-premises vaults, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Cloud-based data storage solutions are easy to set up and are maintenance-free. However, it can mean that you have decreased control over your data.
On-premises vaults provide enhanced control and security, with unrivaled recovery speeds. The disadvantage of this system is that they require more time and expertise to set up and manage. Both on-premises and cloud data storage solutions offer a different balance of flexibility and speed, so implementing a solution which best suits your business is imperative.
When it comes to reducing the impact of a ransomware attack, early detection is key. The quicker you can establish and isolate the point of impact & take action, the faster the recovery process will be. If you act quickly then the extent of data encryption perpetrated by the ransomware can also be limited, allowing you to roll back to a state just before the attack with greater confidence.
The best defence against ransomware attacks is, of course, prevention. By implementing robust cybersecurity measures such as firewalls and antivirus software, you can help reduce the risk of an attack occurring in the first place. Employee training should also be implemented to ensure staff are putting all the measures in place to prevent a cyber attack.
However, even with the most stringent security measures in place, no business is immune to the threat of ransomware. This is why it is so important to have a comprehensive recovery plan that is fast and efficient. Ransomware recovery really is a race against time – the longer it takes to contain the attack and restore critical systems, the more severe the consequences for your business. Get in touch with the Cyber Essentials experts at Reality Solutions today to help strengthen your defences.
*This article contains general information in order to assist all of our customers and is meant for guidance only – there are no guarantees that the information we provide will be suitable for your particular needs. If you require specific assistance, we recommend that you seek professional guidance on your individual circumstances. Reality Solutions are in no way responsible for any loss or damage arising from any information contained within our articles.