The global threat of ransomware is accelerating, with damage costs projected to reach a staggering $57 billion annually by 2025, and it is predicted that ransomware will cost the world more than $20 billion per month in 2031, up from $20 billion per year in 2021, with high-volume attacks occurring every few seconds. This pervasive threat targets organizations of all sizes, with small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often proving the most vulnerable due to limited security resources. While no company is entirely immune to sophisticated cyberattacks, many breaches are opportunistic, exploiting common, easily fixable security gaps. The good news is, we have some simple, foundational recommendations that any company can use to better protect itself from an attack and, in the event of an attack, help it recover quickly, significantly reducing the cost and overall impact.
The good news is, we have some simple recommendations that any company can take advantage of to better protect itself from an attack and, in the event of an attack, help it recover quickly, reducing the cost and impact of the attack.
3 Essential Ransomware Defense Tips for Your Business
As a valued Racksquared subscriber, you know the stakes are higher than ever. Ransomware attacks are now a continuous, high-volume threat, and small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are prime targets. But you don't need a huge IT staff to defend yourself. We believe in providing simple, cost-effective strategies that reduce your risk and help you bounce back quickly if the worst happens.
Here are the top three steps you can take today:
1. Implement the Proven 3-2-1 Backup Strategy
When ransomware locks up your critical files, your best, most affordable defense is a solid, isolated backup. This is how you recover quickly without paying the ransom! At Racksquared, we strongly recommend the industry-standard 3-2-1 rule:
- 3 Copies of Your Data: Keep your primary production data plus at least two separate backup copies. This ensures redundancy in case one or two copies are corrupted or compromised due to an attack or hardware failure.
- 2 Different Types of Media: Store those two backup copies on different types of storage media (e.g., one on a local Network Attached Storage (NAS) device and one in the cloud). This helps protect against the simultaneous failure of a single media type.
- 1 Copy Offsite: Crucially, one copy must be stored in a separate, secure, offsite location—like the Racksquared cloud. This copy is your lifeline if your main office network is completely compromised. Offsite copy should also be immutable (or "tamper-proof"), meaning once a backup is written, it cannot be deleted or changed for a set period. This prevents a hacker who gains cloud access from destroying the backups. The goal is to isolate backups from a single point of failure or breach within your environment.
2. Take the Headache Out of Security Patches
Hackers look to exploit unpatched software whenever possible. Their favorite targets are outdated operating systems, applications, and device firmware (the things many SMBs struggle to keep current). Why? Managing constant updates from multiple vendors can be overwhelming and often takes priority away from your core business.
If hiring a dedicated, full-time IT security expert isn't practical, ask yourself: Why are you still shouldering the burden of endless patching? This is where Racksquared Managed Services comes in. By partnering with us, you offload the responsibility of monitoring, testing, and applying crucial security patches to a team whose primary business is IT management and security. We ensure your systems are consistently updated, closing the door on hackers looking for an easy entry point.
3. Turn Your Employees into Your First Line of Defense
No matter how great your technology solutions are, the human element remains the number one target. Attackers know this and use massive phishing campaigns to spam your employees, hoping someone clicks a malicious link and grants them access. We're partnered with KnowBe4 to protect your company by educating your team.
Share these clear signs that an email is a phishing scam:
- - The message has a suspiciously high number of grammatical errors.
- - The sender is trying to create extreme urgency, demanding immediate action.
- - The email offers something too good to be true just for clicking a link.
- - The content is generic, using your name but lacking authentic details.
- - The sender’s domain name looks slightly "off" or inauthentic (e.g., JohnDoe@acmemail.co instead of .com).
Pro-Tip: Beyond training, consider adding a protective layer. Racksquared offers end-user training with KnowBe4 to train your teams to identify and report suspicious emails before they click a dangerous link.
You're Not Alone, Get Help from the Experts
The ongoing battle against cybercrime is tough, and experts often say it's not a matter of if your company will face an attack, but when. By taking proactive steps like these, you not only prevent common breaches but also dramatically improve your ability to recover and minimize loss.
Ready to strengthen your defenses? See how Racksquared can help protect your company with our comprehensive backup services, managed services, and end-user training.
