How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks with Cloudscene
Ransomware attacks are one of the fastest-growing threats to global cybersecurity. In 2021, a ransomware attack took place every 11 seconds and cost the world a staggering $20 billion in a single year (that figure is expected to reach $265 billion by 2031). Ransomware attacks can be devastating for small businesses that lack the resources to pay the ransom and retrieve their data. In this article, we will explore the effects of ransomware and outline the steps businesses can take to protect their information.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a kind of malicious software (malware) that infects your device. When a device is infected, your files and applications become unusable, and then the hackers demand that you pay a ransom to regain access.
Hackers can spread ransomware infections through fraudulent websites, email attachments, links in emails, social media posts or message apps and downloadable applications. Experts and authorities often recommend that businesses don’t pay the ransom to retrieve their files. However, many people capitulate to mitigate the impact of lost data.
Unfortunately, paying the ransom doesn’t always guarantee that access will be returned to the user – many hackers demand more money once the initial ransom is paid.
How do Service Providers Prevent Attacks?
As businesses adopt digital practices and more employees work from home, the need to safely store data has never been more crucial. Using a third party facility or service, like a data center or managed service provider (MSP), can help prevent malware infections. This is especially true for smaller businesses that do not have access to a dedicated IT department.
Data centers are purpose-built to protect hardware from physical and digital threats and often employ state of the art security measures to avoid these kinds of attacks. By working with a hybrid data center, organizations can achieve greater efficiency and security.
MSPs will offer their customers enterprise-grade antivirus software to protect their data. Some also employ DNS (Domain Name System) filtering solutions that prevent users from accessing harmful or suspicious web pages. Another way MSPs can protect users is by offering an effective backup solution to ensure that data can be restored in the event of a breach. Ideally, a provider will offer physical and cloud-based backup, including backups for applications such as emails, OneDrive, SharePoint etc.
Businesses must be thoughtful about selecting a data center or MSP and ensure that they offer sufficient security measures to protect their data.
How Can Cloudscene Help?
Cloudscene is a digital procurement platform that helps network buyers search, compare and connect with industry-leading providers. With over 9,900 international service providers listed on Cloudscene, buyers can be confident that they will find a vendor that meets their specific requirements and budgets.
In addition to searching for specific service providers, Cloudscene also allows buyers to create listings on its Marketplace. A listing outlines what a buyer is looking for in terms of service type, cost parameters and time frames. For example, a listing could dictate that your business is looking for a data center in LA with specific security systems to prevent malware infections. Or state that you need an MSP in Sydney that offers DNS blocking and physical and cloud backup.
Once the listing has been created, Cloudscene uses expert data and industry knowledge to connect you with a range of facilities and providers that meet these requirements. Buyers can then vet this list of providers and assess their suitability for your business before finally selecting your preferred vendor.
Want to learn more? Get in touch with our friendly team to explore the platform and see how we can help your team save time and money on network services.
