Ransomware: To pay or not to pay, that is the question

Realising that you are the victim of a ransomware attack is a stressful situation for any organisation. Here's some things to consider if you're the victim of an attack.

Successful ransomware attacks are executed when a criminal gets their software onto your device or network which then encrypts all of your data and locks you out of your devices.

This renders you without access to your devices, without access to your data, and critically, it releases your data to an unknown third party. The criminals then claim to have the decryption key which can release your devices and data but they will only provide this if payment is made... hence the name ransomware.

But does it make sense to pay? Read this advice from the SouthWest Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) to find out:

• How to assess the impact on your business
• A reminder that the hackers might not play fairly
• How to report the incident to UK authorities

Ready to improve your resilience to cyber attacks?

All Cyber Resilience Centres provide a range of products and services to businesses and charities operating within their region, as part of their FREE core membership.

▶ Find out about those services here.

If you're not in the South West, there are Cyber Resilience centres nationwide all offering a similar service to small businesses - find your nearest here.