Sit down for this one: The average cost of a ransomware attack for a small to medium-sized business (SMB) is now $99,000 according to Kapersky Labs.
Why is this figure so high? As Kaspersky Labs pointed out, ransomware damage can be divided into two separate categories: The initial ransom which much be paid to regain access to a machine or its data, and related losses. The average cost of a single infected machine is $300; however, ransomware can infect multiple workstations in a company.
What happens when workers cannot access workstations or files? Productivity stops. And this can lead to devastating consequences for an SMB. Imagine what would happen if the majority of your workers could not access their computers for a week or more. Just about every area of your business would be impacted.
What’s more, permanent damage can ensue following a ransomware attack. If your business does not back up its data, it will risk losing it forever. This is particularly difficult to see when hackers gain access to important trade secrets or proprietary information.
It’s no wonder that 42 percent of SMBs and VSBs now consider ransomware to be one of the most serious threats facing their organization.
So stop and consider what would happen to your business if it were to get hit with a ransomware attack. Would it be able to recover?
Consider this, too: Right now, hackers are most likely targeting your network with ransomware. In fact, infected messages could be sitting in your employees’ inboxes just waiting to be opened.
Are you protected?
A new breed of hacktrepeneurs has awoken and they have little to fear and everything to gain by infecting as many companies as possible and extorting money from them. Apex Technology Services stands ready to protect your company regardless of whether it’s located in New York City; White Plains, New York; Connecticut; Australia; Europe; or anywhere else. Our full suite of cybersecurity and IT support services is at your disposal, enabling you to spend less time worrying about and more time growing your business.
In addition, our new Cybersecurity Compliance Certification for law firms will help keep your legal practice from becoming the next Panama Papers victim. This baseline cybersecurity audit for the legal industry should be considered seriously by all law firms.