Email Security Intelligence - Ransomware By The Numbers: How Big Is My Risk?

As remote and hybrid work environments become the norm in an increasingly digital society, organizations must do what they can to ensure email security for their employees, businesses, and clientele. Cybercriminals have developed even more email attack types that can harm a company’s productivity by harming its reputation, stealing login credentials, and damaging data.

Cloud email and cybersecurity platforms have numerous vulnerabilities that leave users insecure when completing daily tasks. Ransomware has become a particularly threatening issue in email security, as it can lead to account takeovers and compromised accounts, preventing a business from thriving. Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) suffer from these risks the most, as they often do not have the cybersecurity tools necessary to combat email threats. This article will discuss ransomware, some recent trends and statistics, and how to prevent various types of ransomware from entering your server.

What Is Ransomware? Why is It a Risk?

Ransomware is a specific kind of malware that encrypts data on a computer system. Once the threat actor compromises the sensitive credentials, they hold onto them until the victim pays a ransom, typically in the form of untraceable money or Bitcoin. Ransomware is an advanced email threat since it can work behind the scenes to remove permissions to critical files one by one until users no longer have access to necessary documents.

Small—and Medium-Sized Businesses lack the cybersecurity tools and teams to combat malware ransomware, which can leave these companies at risk of data loss, reputation harm, and financial issues. Therefore, organizations must understand the various risks that all types of ransomware can pose to a server so that CEOs and employees can improve their security posture and combat threats before they infect a system.

Ransomware Statistics and Trends in the 2020s

Since ransomware has grown in popularity among cybercriminals in the 2020s, it is valuable to note a few statistics and cybersecurity trends that can help users comprehend the gravity of the risk that organizations face daily:

• Sixty-seven percent of ransomware infections in North America result from phishing email attacks and spear phishing emails.
• Each incident of ransomware-caused downtime costs around $380,000 on average.
• A business falls victim to a ransomware attack every fourteen seconds.
• Eighty-five percent of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) find ransomware a significant cybersecurity risk to SMBs.
• Twenty-nine percent of SMBs have experienced a ransomware attack and have not fully recuperated, leaving them more vulnerable to future email threats.
• Fifty percent of cybersecurity professionals have minimal confidence in their organization’s ability to prevent various types of ransomware from infecting the company.

Ransomware poses a detrimental threat to organizations of all sizes, so businesses must prepare themselves for any risk that heads their way. These percentages have only increased over time, so employees must know everything about preventing attacks.

How Can I Prevent Ransomware Attacks?

Companies should consider implementing ransomware prevention techniques so that they can focus on avoiding risks rather than remediating active attacks. Ransomware victims face severe, lasting repercussions like data loss, encrypted files, and financial burdens, which can infect an entire server. Fortunately, there are email security solutions you can consider:

• Read each email you receive carefully. Cybercriminals sometimes use spoofed email addresses or compromised accounts to send links, downloads, and attachments with malicious codes.
• Update your systems regularly to prevent new types of ransomware from penetrating your server.
• Install a malware URL scanner that can quarantine emails that appear suspicious before they ever reach your inbox.
• Employ an email security team that focuses on managing your cybersecurity platforms frequently.
• Hold email security training programs that help your employees understand the various risks at hand and the cybersecurity tools within their reach they can implement to combat an active email threat.
• Sign up for our Behind the Shield cybersecurity newsletter to stay informed about the latest phishing email threats and other risks that can harm your system.
• Set up multi-layered software to secure email interactions and improve communications. Guardian Digital EnGarde Cloud Email Security works 24/7/365 to provide customer service, server monitoring, and constant system updates.

Knowing these email security options when working in a digital environment is crucial to ensuring your business stays safe.

Keep Learning About Ransomware Protection

Ransomware is an email threat that is constantly evolving as cybercriminals develop even more detrimental, sneaky ways to get past email protection software daily. Therefore, businesses must know the best practices for email security to prevent these phishing email attacks from infecting a server and compromising valuable data. To learn more about the ransomware risk your company faces and find the proper methods for email security, consider taking our two-minute assessment, which can help an expert advise you on how to reduce your threat landscape.

• A comprehensive email security system can help prevent advanced threats like targeted spear phishing and ransomware. 
• Learn how to protect your business from ransomware.
• Get the latest updates on how to stay safe online.