It is hard to put an actual number on how many ransomware attacks there have been in 2021 but a good estimate puts the figure north of 500 million attempted attacks and is expected to break 750 million by the end of the year.
It is little wonder that some of those affected would have searched something like managed IT services Brisbane, before carefully clicking on the search engine response to get the help they need in order to fix the problem.
We might be dealing with a global pandemic of a different nature right now but there is little doubt that 2021 is comfortably shaping up to be one of the most threatening and costly years on record for ransomware attacks. Let’s take a look at some of the facts and figures relating to ransomware attacks together with an overview of how to avoid your organization from becoming a target.
The data doesn’t lie
If you take the estimated number of attacks at face level it equates to about 1,700 attempts per customer in the first nine months of 2021. That is an astonishing number and it indicates the fundamental threat to managed security is growing at an alarming rate.
It is quite telling that a White House virtual conference took place recently to discuss how to combat the threat of ransomware attacks. Thirty top nations were invited to attend but the fact that Russia and China were not on the guest list is a strong indication that the finger of suspicion is being pointed in their direction.
It is estimated that at least 1,000 new variants of ransomware were detected on a daily basis and some nations were subjected to a dramatic increase in attacks. The United States has seen a rise of at least 125% in ransomware attacks, while the UK surpassed that with a surge in cases that exceeded 225% compared to previous years.
What can you do to stem the tide?
There are a number of key steps that can be taken in an attempt to protect against a successful ransomware attack.
It is essential that you use multi-factor authentication and implement network segmentation as a first line of defense. You should also be scanning regularly for any potential vulnerabilities and ensure that software updates are carried out without delay. It would also be very prudent to systematically remove any applications from your system that you are no longer using and be extremely vigilant about any unauthorized software that you do not recognize.
It is also essential that you deploy endpoint and detection response tools so that you can act swiftly when a potential breach is identified.
If you are not sure how to apply all of the necessary controls required to reduce the odds of your business becoming a victim of ransomware it would make sense to get the help of IT professionals who know how to set your system up for maximum protection.
When you look at the number of ransomware attacks being carried out across the
globe on a daily basis can you afford not to give this threat your full attention?
