Outsmarting Ransomware: How Investing in Proactive Cyber Operations Today Helps Save You Tomorrow

As someone tasked with safeguarding a high-value investment management firm, you’re aware that the ransomware menace plaguing firms like yours – and the companies you invest in – is a clear and present danger you can’t ignore. Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR) underscores this threat once again, with ransomware consistently accounting for 24 percent of breaches. 

These highly evolved attacks, executed by increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals, can compromise your systems through a single vulnerability, crippling firm operations and holding your critical data hostage for a hefty ransom. But paying up offers no guarantees of regaining access or avoiding future extortion attempts – a lose-lose scenario. 

Now more than ever, it’s time to pivot from a reactive incident response mindset to a proactive cyber operations strategy. And partnering with a dedicated Managed IT and Cybersecurity Services Provider (MSP) is the key to achieving true cyber proactivity. At Agio, we understand the gravity of safeguarding sensitive financial data, facilitating high-value transactions, and maintaining robust security for your firm. That’s why proactive cyber operations are our core focus, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and threat intelligence to fortify your defenses before threats can even materialize. 

As you know, with the high-stakes game of ransomware, staying one step ahead is the only path to victory. Read on as we delve into why investing in proactive cyber operations through an MSP partnership is a strategic move to safeguard your firm’s critical assets, minimize disruptions, and ultimately, protect your bottom line. 

Inside the Mind of a Ransomware Hacker 

While ransomware attacks may seem like a mindless act of digital vandalism, the reality is far more calculated. Behind these attacks lies a complex ecosystem of skilled and motivated cybercriminals driven by a potent combination of financial gain and, in some cases, ideological or political motivations. 

According to Verizon’s 2023 DBIR, ransomware is involved in over 62 percent of incidents orchestrated by organized crime actors and in 59 percent of incidents motivated by financial gain. Experience tells us that threat actors will continue to focus their efforts where they’ve seen success. 

At their core, ransomware hackers are opportunists, always looking for the easiest way in. As highlighted in the same report, the top three ways attackers get into an organization are swiping credentials, phishing emails, and exploiting vulnerabilities. 

While a phishing email typically holds a sense of urgency, ransomware hackers are surprisingly patient and persistent. They meticulously research their targets, mapping out networks and identifying critical systems and data repositories. Their plan of attack often involves extensive planning and staging, ensuring maximum impact and leverage during the eventual encryption and extortion phase. 

By understanding the mindset and tactics of ransomware hackers, it’s easier to stay one step ahead of these relentless adversaries. 

What Damages Does Ransomware Cause? 

Let’s unpack the aftermath of a ransomware attack. Unless you’ve experienced one for yourself, it can be hard to imagine what those first few hours are like. 

According to the National Cyber Security Center, ransomware can lead to “temporary or permanent loss of sensitive or proprietary information, disruption to regular operations,” and hefty financial losses in restoring systems and files. And the damage doesn’t stop there; questions start rolling in from your executives, then investors, insurers, and regulators.  

Determining exactly what data, if any, was exfiltrated is always a challenge. Employee data, investor documents, position and strategy details —everything’s up for grabs. And let’s not overlook the long-term repercussions. Your business continuity takes a hit, and rebuilding customer trust? That’s no small task.   

What’s the game plan if you’re caught in a ransomware attack? Well, first off, you need to detect and contain the threat. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends a thorough response checklist, including isolating affected systems, prioritizing recovery efforts, and identifying and remediating the initial access vector.  

But remember, you don’t have to tackle this alone. Ransomware attacks are complex, and you need a cybersecurity expert in your corner to help with prevention. 

The Price You Pay for Reactivity vs. The Price You Pay for Prevention 

When it comes to dealing with the fallout, it’s not just about the financial hit – your reputation, operations, and potentially your job security can take a beating too. The cybersecurity industry has coined the term “Pink Slip Phenomenon” to describe a harrowing reality: ransomware attacks can directly lead to employee layoffs, either immediately or in the aftermath. A sobering survey revealed that 29 percent of organizations were forced to lay off employees due to the financial strain caused by a ransomware incident.

And according to an article by Fisher Phillips, ransomware attacks cost businesses a record-high of over $1 billion in 2023. Just over the last year, the average cost for ransomware attacks surpassed $5 million.

Take the Royal ransomware breach, for instance. The cybercriminals behind it targeted the city of Dallas on May 3, 2023, resulting in substantial network disruptions that led to the closure of Dallas courts until May 31. In September, the release of “The City of Dallas Ransomware Incident: May 2023” shed light on the attack’s intricacies. The report unveiled that the Royal operators initially infiltrated the system with service account credentials. With this unauthorized access, the attackers lurked within the victim’s network for a month before executing the ransomware deployment. Efforts to restore systems and services took over a month.

In response to the devastating impact, the Dallas City Council authorized an $8.5 million budget for mitigation and recovery measures. This encompassed expenditures on external cybersecurity expert services, identity theft and fraud protection services, as well as breach notification services, aiming to fortify the city’s defenses against future cyber threats.

Depending on the size of your firm, you’re looking at paying less than $35,000 as a one-time fee for cybersecurity services. And if you opt for ongoing protection to keep your systems safe 24/7, your investment remains well below three figures. When you compare that price of prevention to the $8.5 million spent on the response, the decision becomes a no-brainer. It’s pretty simple – when your operations are being crippled and your reputation is at risk, the prices are higher than taking a proactive approach.

Ultimately, investing in proactive prevention measures is not only a prudent decision but a cost-effective one. Allocating resources upfront to fortify your defenses pales in comparison to the potential financial devastation of paying exorbitant ransoms.

By prioritizing prevention through cutting-edge technologies, threat intelligence, and robust security measures, you can mitigate the risk of falling victim to ransomware attacks and avoid the devastating ripple effects on their workforce and operations.

Don’t Cut Corners When it Comes to Managed IT & Cybersecurity Services 

To fully protect your organization, Managed IT, Cyber Governance, and Cyber Operations should work hand-in-hand. Cyber Governance establishes the policies, procedures, training, and initiatives that set security foundations. But when threats arrive, you need Cyber Operations to actively execute those policies and empower personnel to respond. 

With Managed IT overseeing your core infrastructure and a cohesive Cyber Governance and Operations approach, you gain end-to-end security coverage. Having it all under a single provider can align technology, people, and processes to operate security seamlessly across domains. Unified visibility and coordinated responses become possible when all components are orchestrated together. 

Additionally, take Incident Response Service, for example. With tactical tabletop exercises, you can simulate real-world cyber threats and fine-tune your response strategies. And let’s not forget about the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Cybersecurity Governance Program. With C-suite tabletop exercises and whiteboarding sessions, you can ensure that you are prepared to handle cyber crises.

Don’t Pay the Price of a Reactive Approach. Stay Proactive with Agio Today. 

Let’s wrap things up with a quick recap. We’ve talked about the devasting impact of ransomware attacks, the importance of investing in quality cybersecurity services, and the risks of cutting corners. So, here’s the bottom line: prioritize cybersecurity and invest in comprehensive Cyber Operations services.  

At Agio, we’re experts in Cyber Operations, and we know firsthand the importance of staying proactive when it comes to cybersecurity. Don’t wait until it’s too late—act now to protect your assets and your organization from ransomware. Trust me, it’s worth it.