October Cybersecurity Awareness: How IT Leaders Can Prevent a Ransomware Attack in 2024

Ransomware has evolved from a technical concern to a pervasive threat that requires a collective response from all levels of an organisation. From executives redefining priorities to employees being vigilant about online activities, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.

With ransomware ranking in the top three threats, strategic investment in security tools is essential. Adopting a layered security approach, investing in the right technology, and fostering a culture of security awareness are crucial for organisations to effectively combat ransomware. By viewing security as a critical investment rather than a cost, businesses can strengthen their defences and protect their reputations against potential breaches.

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, 50% of businesses experienced a cyberattack, with ransomware being a significant contributor. The BBC quotes that 82% of businesses actually pay the ransom to get their data back. There’s even talk that the UK is “a ransomware hacker cash cow” and increasingly our infrastructure, housing, health and schools are being targeted. If you want to read more, check out the threat debrief from one of our partners Bitdefender here. The UK is second only to the USA in being the most affected country by ransomware.

This is not something any of us want to be associated with.
We have to get in front of this.

• Phishing is by far the most common type of cyber crime in terms of prevalence (90% of businesses and 94% of charities)
• Weak employee security practices continue to expose businesses to threats.
  It's estimated by DSIT that UK businesses have experienced approximately 7.78 million cyber crimes of all types and approximately 116,000 non-phishing cyber crimes in the last 12 months.
• The average cost of a ransomware attack for medium and large businesses is now estimated at £10,830 per incident.

Key proactive strategies to prevent ransomware

1. Update & Patch Regularly
Maintain updated software, including operating systems and applications. Cybercriminals target outdated systems, so regular updates can close vulnerabilities before they’re exploited.

2. Strengthen Email Security
Use advanced email gateways like Mimecast or similar solutions to filter malicious attachments and block phishing attempts before they reach employee inboxes.

3. User Awareness Training
Since human error remains the top cause of breaches, investing in ongoing employee education is critical. Regular training on phishing tactics and social engineering awareness will help staff recognise potential threats.

4. Backups & Disaster Recovery
Implement a robust backup solution. Regular, encrypted backups ensure your business can quickly recover from attacks. Testing your disaster recovery plan is essential for knowing your data is secure and retrievable.

5. Endpoint Security & Monitoring
Deploy a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution for real-time monitoring and quick incident response. Monitoring endpoints, securing mobile devices, and using self-healing solutions for critical issues will keep your business safe from known vulnerabilities.

How we can help

We provide a comprehensive Cybersecurity Services Suite tailored to businesses of all sizes:

• SOC & Threat Detection: 24/7 monitoring for unusual behaviour and proactive protection.
• Email & Web Filtering: Prevent phishing attacks and stop employees from accessing malicious sites.
• Patch Management: We ensure systems are fully patched, and vulnerabilities addressed immediately.
• Secure Backups: Rest assured with secure, encrypted, frequent backups, protecting your critical data.
• Employee Training: Ongoing security training programmes help reduce human error and risk.

Final thoughts

The cost of ignoring these strategies can be severe—from downtime and lost revenue to long-term reputational damage. Implementing a proactive IT strategy will transform how your business defends itself, providing resilience against modern ransomware tactics.

For further insights, visit the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 to learn more about current threats and best practices, check out the Board Room Under Siege recorded webinar above to see a real-time cyber attack or download the ebook to find our more about outsourcing your security operations centre.
 
Explore how we can protect your business from ransomware threats at Conosco Cybersecurity Services.