How SMBs Can Protect Their Operations From Ransomware?

Answer 1

Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are prime targets for ransomware attacks due to limited security resources and outdated defenses. To protect their operations, SMBs should implement strong access controls, regularly back up critical data, train employees to spot phishing attempts, and keep all systems updated with the latest patches. However, these measures alone aren't always enough against today's advanced threats.

Partnering with a cybersecurity provider like SafeAeon gives SMBs access to enterprise-grade protection, including 24/7 threat monitoring, ransomware detection, and rapid incident response, helping them stay secure without overextending internal teams.

Answer 2

Once we accept that RaaS makes ransomware attacks on SMBs inevitable and that ransomware is an existential threat to businesses, we can frame a strategy to counter ransomware much as we would take steps to counter any other business threat.

Frame a Cybersecurity Policy – Every organisation, no matter how small, needs a cybersecurity policy to lay down who is responsible for what. Minimum cybersecurity standards that all employees, irrespective of how low or high they are in the organisation’s hierarchy, must follow and role-based enhanced cybersecurity requirements must be stipulated and employees must be made aware of these requirements. Policy compliance must be enforced across the rank and file with penalties for non compliance to ensure the policy is followed. Examples of policy measures that help prevent ransomware attacks include standards for pasword strength and regulation of the use of remote desktops Patch and Update Immediately – Hardware and software vendors release patches and updates to secure their products against known vulnerabilities. These should be installed immediately to avoid cyberattackers exploiting these vulnerabilities to launch ransomware attacks. The infamous WannaCry ransomware that affected computers across the world targeted machines that had not been patched despite a patch being available. Patches should be applied for all hardware and not just PCs i.e., routers, printers, IoT devices, and other networking and networked devices should have their patches applied as soon as they become available Deploy Endpoint Security – Ransomware is a type of malware and it can be stopped by enterprise anti-malware solutions like K7 Endpoint Security which uses signature- and behaviour-based analysis to detect and prevent known and unknown ransomware. It also protects against some forms of phishing that can be used to introduce ransomware into a device. It is critical to ensure that all endpoints in the organisation are protected by endpoint security as cyberattackers can launch ransomware attacks against the entire organisation by compromising a single unprotected device Deploy Network Security – Cyberattackers may attempt to penetrate vulnerable networks to introduce ransomware into an organisation. Network security like K7 Unified Threat Management devices provide gateway security and help thwart intrusion attempts Invest in Training – Threat actors are aware that businesses use technology measures to protect devices and networks. They therefore use social engineering, like phishing, to attack employees by gaining their trust and misleading them into performing harmful actions, such as revealing information about the business that could be used to launch a ransomware attack. An alert and aware user is the best defence against phishing and organisations should invest in training initiatives that will help employees spot social engineering attempts K7 Security’s Enterprise Security hardware and software solutions protect businesses of any size in a wide range of industries against ransomware and other cyberthreats. Contact Us to learn more about how we can help you protect your organisation against ransomware.