How Penetration Testing can help prevent Ransomware Attacks
It is hard to believe, but ransomware is more than three decades old. While many would think that the ransomware mayhem started with the WannaCry attack of 2017, that is simply the most publicized example. Since then, dozens of ransomware strains have been utilized in a variety of cyberattacks.
According to a PhishLabs report, by HelpSystems, ransomware attacks are growing more than 100% year-over-year. The report further states that ransomware operators are vandalizing crucial systems and posting stolen data in record volumes, and companies that fall victim to an attack often feel powerless in finding a solution because the threat itself is in a continuous state of evolution. The price of ransomware attacks is also on the rise, with the average ransom demand reaching $220,298 in 2021, and associated recovery costs averaging $1.8 million.
For example, the fuel company, Colonial Pipeline, was attacked in May 2021 by ransomware cybercriminals. As a result, from rising fuel prices at the pump, to the ghost of an overall gas shortage and inflation, the United States was in a serious dilemma. Why? The answer was ransomware.
Security against ransomware threats is of paramount importance for almost all information security teams. It is a standard, brutal threat that can have devastating outcomes for the company. Yet, even if your company has robust protection in place, it is necessary to simulate a ransomware attack and assure that you actually are shielded. This is the reason why a penetration test is the most useful method to confirm that defenses and security procedures are functioning perfectly — and if not, to rectify them before it is too late.
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing is an essential part of finding and recognizing possible critical vulnerabilities within your organization’s external network, internal network, applications, or (Read more...)
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from The State of Security authored by Tripwire Guest Authors. Read the original post at: https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/controls/penetration-testing-prevent-ransomware-attacks/