By : Dustin McCreight
November 17, 2017 01:00 PM
The recent upsurge in ransomware attacks – 6,000% increase since 2016 – could be a wakeup call for all businesses, especially the hospitality industry that is increasingly becoming a target for malicious attacks. Cybercriminals have devised numerous deceptive methods to infiltrate computer systems, encrypt data and demand ransom to release the files.
Ransomware attacks cause major disruption to the operation of a business and result in over 70% of victims paying the ransom. For those who have chosen to pay, 50% paid more than $10K and 20% paid more than $40K to avoid losing significant down-time for their business. These costly payoffs can be particularly burdensome for a small business.
In a cybersecurity study of small and medium-sized businesses with less than 1,000 employees, nearly half of these businesses have been the victim of cyberattacks. Fortunately, there are preventive measures you can take to help avoid falling prey to attacks like the recent WannaCry ransomware.
You and your employees are the first line of defense! Help protect your business from intrusion by cyber criminals by following the steps outlined below in the A.I.M. (Assess, Implement, and Maintain) approach.
A.I.M. to Safeguard Your Business from Ransomware Attacks
Assess – Examine your system end-to-end to understand where your business may be vulnerable to cyberattacks
Implement – Create a plan to improve security that includes staff accountability for safeguarding your company’s systems
Maintain – Ensure your business remains focused on security as an integral part of your operation with regular review and updating as needed
NCR Network and Security Services can help you mitigate security risks for your business. To get started on a plan for boosting security for your enterprise and preventing cyberattacks, please contact your NCR representative or visit us on our website.