Daily backups are essential for protecting corporate data. They are an important part of ensuring that business can continue as normal even in the event of unexpected situations such as natural disasters or PC problems.
However, did you know that just making backups is not enough for the minimum BCP (Business Continuity Plan) and DR (Disaster Recovery) measures? In this article, we will introduce the concept of backup testing (restore testing) that should be considered in conjunction with regular backups.
What is backup testing?
Backup testing refers to testing and confirming during normal operations whether or not the backed-up data can be properly restored.
Even if data is backed up regularly and correctly, it will be meaningless if the backed-up files and folders cannot be restored in an emergency.
It's easy to think, "I always back up my data, so I'm fine." However, not surprisingly, problems can still occur. In fact, approximately 1/3 of all companies experience difficulties when restoring from backup data.
Why are backup tests necessary?
As evidenced by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, unforeseen events can affect businesses and society. As Japan regularly experiences earthquakes and typhoons, it is important to be prepared for all contingencies.
Under such circumstances, data and system backups are now becoming an essential part of corporate risk management. However, while most companies have backups, many have not actually tested them.
Without a backup test, there is no way to know if your data can be restored in a crisis. If it cannot be restored, not only will all the time and money spent on backups be wasted, but for small and medium-sized companies and startups, there is also a risk that it will directly lead to a business continuity crisis.
In order to make your regular backups truly meaningful, backup testing is an extremely important task that should not be neglected.
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What is checked in a backup test?
In the backup test, it is important to check not only whether the backed-up data can be restored without any problems, but also whether the assumed RPO (recovery point objective) and RTO (recovery time objective) can be met.
RPO is expressed as a time measurement from the loss event to the most recent preceding backup. In other words, it refers to the amount of time that has passed since the last backup. For example, if you make regular backups every day, your RPO is 24 hours. In the event of an incident, data modified or newly created after the latest backup will be lost. With a backup test, it is necessary to confirm whether the data saved at the RPO point and set in advance can be restored properly.
On the other hand, RTO refers to how much time (targeted valued) an application can be down without causing significant damage to the business. For example, if you decide that three hours is the maximum downtime that is acceptable for your company, then your RTO is three hours. Businesses must determine what is an acceptable RTO and plan accordingly. A backup test will confirm if the determined RTO can be met.
How often should backup tests be performed?
Only performing backup tests occasionally and randomly is insufficient and dangerous for business. In order to ensure the effectiveness of backups and backup tests, it is essential to conduct tests on a regular basis. If possible, try to run backup tests at least once a month or so.
However, conducting a backup test for all the data every month can be a burden on your resources. Therefore, it is recommended to perform a partial restore test of particularly important or high-risk data on a monthly basis, and a complete restore test of all data on a semi-annual or annual basis.
Why is the cloud the best choice for backup?
In regards to backups, until a few years ago, site backups were the norm, saving data to an internal server. However, in the past few years, more and more small and medium-sized businesses, as well as large corporations, have been making the transition to cloud backup. For the following advantages, it is gaining popularity as a smart choice for today's times:
• Secure against ransomware or other malware attacks
• Protected from natural disasters or power outages
• No need to maintain and update backup servers
• Extremely easy to set up – even a novice
• Highly reliable
Tsukaeru Cloud Backup is affordable and easy to use!
The Tsukaeru Cloud Backup service provided by Tsukaeru.net is a complete cloud-based backup solution that can be easily introduced without the need for extra equipment or initial costs. This high-quality cloud backup service is easy to use, safe, and affordable and has been well received by our clients nationwide.
• Simple: Protects all data, including OS, with just five minutes of setup.
• Secure: Data is encrypted with AES-256 in your environment and transferred with AES-256.
• Affordable: Data protection measures start from 30 JPY per day/0.98 JPY per 1GB regardless of how much space you need.
A 30-day free trial is currently available, allowing you to experience all the benefits of cloud backup without any cost. To find out more, please contact us using the form or call us at the telephone number below.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how the world works. Due to the rapid adoption of remote work, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of cybersecurity attacks trying to take advantage of these changes. In this article, we discuss the cybersecurity you need to protect your company's data and business in these volatile times.
31% of companies experience a cyber attack “at least once a day”
Numerous studies have shown that cybersecurity threats have increased in the wake of the pandemic. According to a survey of 3,400 companies worldwide conducted by Acronis (*1) this summer, a total of 31% of companies said they had experienced a cyber attack at least once a day in the past three months, and 9% of companies are attacked at least once an hour. The most commonly reported types of attacks include phishing scams, DDoS attacks, and attacks targeting video conferencing.
IT costs continue to increase in response to remote work
Implementing and maintaining remote work has an impact on corporate IT costs. In the same study by Acronis, 92% of companies reported that they had implemented new technology and software to migrate to remote work. In addition, 72% of companies reported that the pandemic had increased their IT costs.
Companies are unprotected from the growing threat of phishing scams
In the age of remote work, cybersecurity is more important than ever. However, it can be difficult for companies to keep up with the latest cyber-attack trends in terms of effective countermeasures. For example, while one of the most common attacks is "phishing," many companies do not have effective URL filtering in place to combat this kind of attack. According to the Acronis survey, only 2% selected URL filtering as an important feature to consider when choosing a cybersecurity solution.
Tsukaeru: a one-stop-shop for all the security measures you need in the age of Covid-19
In the Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 eras, where remote work has become the norm and the risk of cyber attacks remains high, proactive and flexible security measures are necessary to keep up with the ever-changing trends. However, in the past, it was impractical for small and medium-sized businesses to implement the various software solutions and complex operations that must be managed in parallel.
Tsukaeru has recently launched "Tsukaeru Cloud Backup + (Plus)," an integrated, one-stop solution with an excellent combination of cloud backup services and cybersecurity measures required in today's world. Tsukaeru Cloud Backup + provides safety and security in the following five areas:
・Identification: vulnerability assessment, data protection map, etc.
・Protection: protection against malware/ransomware, centralized protection policies management, etc.
・Detection: hard drive health control, dashboard reports, etc.
・Support: quarantine malware, patch management built into backups, etc.
・Recovery: backup and disaster recovery, remote desktop, etc.
Experience the convenience of Tsukaeru Cloud Backup +, a perfect match for simplifying cybersecurity measures and reducing IT costs.
Click here for details on Tsukaeru Cloud Backup +.
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*1：Acronis Cyber Readiness Report 2020 (PDF)
While various social activities are now being conducted online because of the novel Coronavirus, it is still as important as ever to maintain information security measures. Especially for corporate websites, the introduction of SSL certificates is indispensable.
What is an SSL certificate?
SSL certificates are a form of technology that encrypts communication on the Internet and allows users to access websites safely. The introduction of an SSL certificate to a website encrypts all data sent and received between the server and user, making unauthorized access, data tampering, and wiretapping extremely difficult.
As an indication of greater security, websites with SSL certificates will have a URL that starts with “https://” instead of “http://.” Nowadays, when users use most major web browsers to access websites without SSL certificates, they will receive warning messages regarding security and communication.
The need to migrate SSL certificates to TLS1.2
In order to operate websites with complete peace of mind, it has become indispensable to use SSL certificates. However, since SSL (and its successor SSL/TLS) is constantly upgraded to keep pace with developments in technology, security cannot be ensured unless the latest version is installed.
Currently, there is a strong demand for the use of SSL/TLS 1.2 or later versions. Earlier versions have serious vulnerabilities and are not recommended due to security concerns.
Tsukaeru SSL Certificates: Safe and secure
Tsukaeru offers “Tsukaeru SSL Certificates,” a service that allows you to easily and inexpensively install SSL certificates. You can rest assured that the latest version of the SSL certificate, as well as full technical support, will ensure the highest level of security.
Click here for details on Tsukaeru SSL Certificates
Complete site security with cloud VPS
If you are thinking about introducing SSL certificates to your website, why not consider moving your website server to a cloud VPS as well?
Because of the excellent balance of cost, performance, and flexible scalability, VPS is becoming the most popular server choice. By focusing on security measures, Tsukaeru Cloud VPS provides a more secure environment for your website.
For a limited time (until 6/30), Tsukaeru is offering a new server transfer for 50% off the monthly fee for the first contract! Please don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity.
Click here for details on Tsukaeru Cloud VPS
Due to the current novel Coronavirus situation, a phenomenon that can be called “last-minute remote work” is occurring. After the declaration of a state of emergency in Japan, the nationwide remote work implementation rate has risen by 27.9%. In Tokyo alone, 49.1% of regular workers are working remotely (*Persol Research and Consulting Institute). Of these, 68.7% report that this is their first remote work experience and that this unfamiliarity can cause a variety of problems.
Increasing Cybercrime
Cybercrime incidents are of particular concern for everyone. As corporate security measures are being stretched and loosened by the expansion of remote work, cybercriminals are taking advantage where and when they can.
【Increasing cybercrime】
1. Email phishing
Malicious email that attempts to trick IT department staff, management, business partners, etc. to click on links that lead to fake websites in order to steal personal and login information.
2. Malware attack
A form of cyberattack where a seemingly legitimate email contains a virus or ransomware program that is secretly downloaded when an attachment is opened or a link is clicked.
3. Video conferencing system exploit attack
This increasingly popular attack method takes advantage of vulnerabilities in widely used video conferencing software to hijack a user’s computer and send spam emails with fake video conference invitation emails.
Basic cybersecurity review
Even if your company falls victim to just one of these cyber attacks, the potential damage to finances, confidential information, social credibility, etc. is too great to risk. Now that there are greater vulnerabilities due to an increase in remote work, the basics of cybersecurity should be reviewed.
【Basic, protective security measures for remote work】
1. Thoroughly implement all email security measures
Email is the most common method for cyber attacks. In the case when there is even a small suspicion about an email, it is important to contact the sender by other means, such as telephone, and avoid clicking a link or downloading an attached file. Introducing a system that blocks such email and spam is essential.
Tsukaeru MailBuster provides email security with 100% virus and 99.98% spam blocking.
2. Avoid simple passwords
Are you using simple passwords such as “1234,” “abc123,” “qwerty,” “admin,” and even “password” to ki==log into your business computer or system? These types of simple passwords greatly increase your chances of falling victim to a cyber attack.
3. Always update computer OS and software
These OS and software updates contain very important security changes and vulnerability fixes. It is best to install as soon as the update notification is received.
4. Choose the tool with the proper security measures
The best way to effectively raise the level of remote work security is by choosing the right tools. Security should always be the top priority when making decisions.
“Tool selection” affects remote work outcomes
To achieve the high level of security needed for remote work, we recommend Tsukaeru Business Solutions. The thorough encryption using the latest protocols, detailed access permissions, and authentication system strictly blocks unauthorized logins. Tsukaeru products are equipped with the most advanced security measures for all situations.
By introducing Tsukaeru Business Solutions, you can implement remote work immediately at a reasonable cost and with outstanding security. To learn more, please feel free to contact us at Tsukaeru.
Tsukaeru Dokodemo Office can create a secure remote work environment in just a few hours.
Tsukaeru Filebako allows safe, remote work file sharing within the company (available free of charge until the end of June, 2020).
Tsukaeru Cloud Backup provides entire computer backup in just five minutes.
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As the unprecedented crisis caused by the Coronavirus spreads, the issue of backing up medical data has never been more important.
Increasing medical data leads to increased risks
With the introduction of electronic medical records and digital storage of X-rays and other imaging, the amount of medical data being produced is increasing at an accelerating rate. In addition, an aging population and their medical needs will create even more data that needs to be stored and protected. Long-term solutions are essential for proper treatment and consultation. The bottom line is simple: data loss is bad for patients and their outcomes.
The increase in natural disasters and cyberattacks such as ransomware are also serious risks in terms of medical data storage. A reliable backup system is vital, but due to cost and other issues, many medical institutions are not sufficiently protected.
Why is cloud backup best for medical institutions?
Recently, cloud backup is gaining attention as the best solution for protecting medical data for three reasons:
1. No large initial investment required
With cloud backup, there is no need for capital investment at the time of introduction. Even small clinics can create and maintain high-level backup systems for a reasonable cost.
2. Ideal disaster countermeasure
In a situation where a medical institution or its area is damaged or compromised, remote data centers keep medical data safe and secure. With cloud backup, the system and data can be immediately restored.
3. Improved security
Technological advances provide today’s cloud systems with extremely high levels of security. In many cases, it is actually safer to implement cloud backup solutions than create a local backup system on location.
Simplicity, safety, affordability: Tsukaeru Cloud Backup
In response to the Japanese government’s “Two Guidelines from Three Ministries,” Tsukaeru Cloud Backup can be installed at medical institutions and is becoming a popular solution for backing up electronic medical record systems and billing systems for hospitals and clinics across the nation.
■ Simplicity
Introducing Tsukaeru Cloud Backup is not complicated at all. In just five minutes, all data including the operating system is completely protected. With a simple and easy-to-understand management screen, it is simple to operate in everyday life. Backups are automatic, removing any worry about forgetting them.
■ Safety
Tsukaeru Cloud backup utilizes the military-grade strength AES-256 encryption protocol and implements full security measures. Data is first encrypted with AES-256 in the customer’s environment before transfer. The data transfer communication itself is also encrypted with AES-256. In addition, at the backup destination servers, the same encryption is used to save the data. Finally, the Tsukaeru network data center facility is ISO27001 (ISMS) certified, and access by third parties is strictly controlled.
■ Affordability
Tsukaeru Cloud Backup is only 30 JPY a day and has an attractive price of only 0.98 JPY per gigabyte of data. For example, for a general medical clinic with one server and one PC, the monthly fee would be 7,380 (three-year contract, one terabyte capacity). And of course, there is no initial startup cost.
A 30-day free trial of Tsukaeru Cloud Backup is currently available. Please feel free to give it a try, and let us know what you think!
Click here for details on Tsukaeru Cloud Backup.
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2019 saw many changes in Japan. A new emperor ushered in the Reiwa Era, bringing the 30-year Heisei Era to an end. The consumption tax increased to 10%. Looking at changing trends in the cloud market, it was the year of cloud solution adoption among companies. In this article, we will examine the future of the cloud market in 2020 with a focus on the upcoming Olympic Games.
Full-scale in 2020? Cloud adoption by Japanese companies
In Japan, business use of the cloud has been less prolific than in Europe and the United States; however, this tide is likely to change this year. One indication of the adoption of cloud systems began in the central government. At the end of last year, the Japanese government announced a new policy to completely shift core systems used by ministries and agencies to the cloud. While the actual system change is scheduled to begin in the fall of this year, it is likely that this “endorsement” of cloud usage by the government will encourage large companies and local governments to follow suit.
The cloud is key to addressing labor shortage and improving productivity
As labor shortages will continue to be an issue in various industries in 2020, the cloud is attracting attention as a solution. The labor shortage problem in Japan has been increasing in recent years, and with the decreasing birthrate and aging population, dramatic improvement is not expected in the future. As a result, there is a growing need to increase productivity as a way to maintain and grow business – the key to that is the cloud.
By utilizing the cloud, it is now possible to automate and improve the efficiency of conventionally manual tasks or those that require a great deal of time and labor, something especially important for small and medium-sized companies that account for the majority of Japanese economy. According to the 2018 White Paper On Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan, the labor productivity of small and medium enterprises is about 56% in the manufacturing industry, about 64% in the information and communication industry, and about 57% in the specialized and technical services industry as compared to large enterprises.(*1) The cloud is expected to play a major role in overcoming this problem in 2020.
Growing importance of cyber security
As cloud adoption in companies is in full swing, the importance of cyber security has never been greater. In particular, a greater focus on Japan because of the Tokyo Olympics later this year may increase the risk of companies being targeted by cyber attacks, increasing the need for caution. In the past, the Rio Olympics and London Olympics saw a sharp increase in cyber attacks in the host countries. Every company will need to implement more thorough security measures in 2020 than ever before.
Tsukaeru’s Cloud solution: safe, easy, and convenient
As a pioneer in the industry, Tsukaeru has a long history of offering cloud products, providing popular solutions that combine the highest levels of security with simplicity and ease of use. For example, Tsukaeru Cloud Backup protects and preserves the entire system, including the OS, and quickly restores all data. It is an ideal solution for BCP and disaster recovery measures and has been adopted by many companies. Our simple and reasonable rate plans are also very attractive.
In order to increase work efficiency and productivity, we recommend using Tsukaeru Filebako, our secure cloud-based file server service. Make it easier for teams to work together, and allow employees to work with anyone, anytime, anywhere. With our 20-year track record of success, you can definitely count on use when it comes to cloud utilization.
Please visit the Tsukaeru website to contact us for more information.
(*1) 2018 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan (PDF – The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)
With the end of the 2010s, a new era has begun. What are your goals for 2020?
As the need for work-style reform increases, creating a comfortable workplace is an important issue this year for business owners and those in charge of HR. While there are various ways to affect this change, one of the most effective measures is remote work (telework).
In this first article of the new year, let’s review the advantages and disadvantages of remote work together and consider the easiest way to introduce it.
What are the benefits of introducing remote work?
Remote work can be an effective way to retain and recruit people. The ability to work from home or in a satellite office directly increases employee satisfaction and lowers turnover. This is also an advantage when hiring young, talented people who value flexibility in the workplace.
Another significant benefit is the reduction in commuting time and stress. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication’s 2016 Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities (*1), the national average for commuting time per day is one hour and 19 minutes (weekdays). In Tokyo, the average commute is one hour and 34 minutes, and in Kanagawa Prefecture, it can reach upwards of one hour and 45 minutes! Reducing long commutes is extremely effective in increasing employee motivation and productivity and improving work-life balance.
In addition, by embracing teleworking as a new and viable option in the office, employees who have excellent and valuable skills, but have difficulty working in a traditional manner due to issues such as family care needs or living too far away, can still contribute. This is a crucial factor in improving company competitiveness.
Potential problems to be aware of
Of course, there can be problems related to remote work. One emerging and unique issue are the feelings of loneliness and isolation that teleworkers can experience. Because these employees are less likely to meet their colleagues and often work on their own, they are more susceptible to stress from loneliness. Measures should be taken to mitigate such problems, such as increasing the frequency of team meetings and communication through corporate chat tools and video conferences.
Unfortunately, after remote work is introduced, it sometimes does not appear to produce good results and is therefore withdrawn as an option. This is often because management is not focused on managing tasks but on managing employees. Instead of trying to control employee working hours and styles, management should implement teleworking while also setting clear goals, quotas, and deadlines with a focus on measuring achievement.
Introduce telework easily and safely with Tsukaeru Dokodemo Office
So, how can you start teleworking at your company? The easiest, recommended solution is Tsukaeru Dokodemo Office, a service that allows the use of your usual work environment (Windows desktop and applications) anytime, anywhere, regardless of location or device (desktop, laptop, and smartphone). The following problems common to remote work introduction are solved at once, and the telework environment is easily created :
・Security – Latest features such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication
・Cost – Clear and inexpensive rate plan
・Management – Simple and centralized application and data management
・Usability – Same familiar IT environment as the regular office
Why not make 2020 a leap year for your company with the introduction of telework?
Please contact us for a free trial of Tsukaeru’s Dokodemo Office!
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(*1) 2016 Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities, Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication
Although email is still indispensable for businesses as a means of communication, there are always problems with spam emails. They not only interfere with efficient operations, but also pose serious security risks due to viruses or phishing attacks. To better understand, let’s take a look at the actual status of spam mail.
Approximately 40% of emails received in Japan are spam
In looking at the numbers, the overwhelming amount of spam email is the first thing that stands out. According to statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, approximately 750,000,000 spam emails are received in Japan every day (as of March 2019) – about 44% of all emails! In recent years, this ratio of spam emails to all emails has consistently been between just below 40% and around 50%, with no major improvement observed.
In looking at the countries and regions that are the sources of spam emails received in Japan, the top five as of March 2019 are Japan (35.85%), the United States (9.02%), Brazil (6.52%), Hong Kong (5.63%), and Russia (5.62%). It is obvious that Japanese users and companies are targeted by attackers from around the world.
Rapidly increasing threat of Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Spam email contents are usually related to dating services, information products, and finance. Recently, a type of email fraud called business email compromise (BEC) has been rapidly increasing. BEC is an email scam that attempts to gather data or gain access to financial accounts by pretending to be from a company executive or a trusted customer. Total BEC losses in the United States in 2018 reached around $1.2 billion. The number of BEC attacks in 2014 was about 200, but in 2018, it exceeded 20,000 (based on FBI data).
Japan is also experiencing an increase in targeted email attacks that attempt to obtain information. According to statistics from the National Police Agency, there were 1,723 targeted email attacks in 2014, and that number has rapidly increased to 6,740 in 2018*.
What is the key to preventing spam?
The key to keeping your company safe from spam email is “block before receiving.” It is common to use an email software’s filtering function as a countermeasure against spam emails. However, it is not perfect. This filtering function is based on receiving all emails and then sorting out the spam, which can tie up valuable server capacity and bandwidth. There is also a concern that viruses and malicious software attached to spam emails may enter your network.
Easily block junk mail with “Tsukaeru MailBuster”
We would like to recommend our “Tsukaeru MailBuster,” a complete cloud-based service for your email. Tsukaeru MailBuster can be used to block junk email, spam emails, emails with viruses, etc. before they reach your email server. Our unique filtering system uses learning-type AI technology to achieve 100% accuracy against viruses and 99.98% accuracy when dealing with spam. It is extremely effective as a countermeasure against ransomware and targeted email attacks.
As Tsukaeru MailBuster is cloud based, no initial investment is required, and it is easy to implement and start for as little as $15 per month. With our continuously improving accuracy and response to new malware and other threats based our own self-learning smart technology, you don’t have to worry about troublesome updates. If you have trouble with spam email, please check out our excellent MailBuster service.
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*Reference and data source: 2019 White Paper on Spam Email – Spam Countermeasure Promotion Council (PDF)
Security is the most important thing to consider when it comes to web hosting and site management. Cyber attacks are an increasingly common threat, even for small and medium enterprises. If your security measures are not robust, there is a serious risk of becoming a target of malware and suffering serious damage or losses.
With this in mind, what points should you keep in mind when considering web hosting security measures? To help you make the right decisions, we will introduce five carefully selected, important functions and elements regarding web hosting security.
1. Backup and Restore
The first important point about web hosting security measures is whether you can backup your site. With a secure backup, you can restore your data immediately in the event of an emergency, minimizing damage to your business. This is an effective strategy not only for cyber attack countermeasures, but also for data loss due to misoperation or misconfiguration.
2. SSL Compatible
The use of SSL starting with “https” instead of the usual “http” is becoming more common. Most web browsers already display a warning message when users visit http sites. SSL is no longer optional; it has become essential. Be sure to check whether SSL support is available, especially if you are operating an e-commerce site.
3 Tsukaeru SSL certificates with reliable support
3. WAF
WAF (Web Application Firewall) systems monitor website access status and automatically block malicious access. User access to the website is only allowed after it is determined to be secure and reliable, protecting against hacking, web tampering, and DDoS attacks. Cloud-based WAF “Tsukaeru Waffle” features an amazing low price and user-friendly operability, making it easy to introduce advanced web attack blocking services.
Tsukaeru Waffle – click for details
4. Email Security
In many cases, email systems are operated using web hosting services. However, this is still the most popular intrusion path for cyber attacks. Therefore, email-specific security measures, such as filtering, are essential. If you are not currently using one, please consider our Tsukaeru MailBuster with a 100% virus kill rate and 99.98% spam kill rate.
Tsukaeru MailBuster – click for details
5. Full Support System
Regarding web hosting security measures, it is vital to have a support system in place that can respond immediately to unexpected situations or troubles. With Tsukaeru, our experienced support staff always respond promptly and professionally. In addition, our complete maintenance system and dedicated technical staff are monitoring the system 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you are looking for a safe and secure web hosting service, we recommend our Tsukaeru server!
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In recent news, Malwarebytes, a leading cybersecurity company based in California, has reported a shocking new finding. Ransomware attacks against companies have risen by over 500% in just one year. This revelation has shaken the IT industry, and many have been left wondering: what could have possibly triggered such a shocking spike in cyber attacks? Who among us is most likely to be the next target?
For a period that was as fleeting as it was hopeful, it appeared as if ransomware would become an epidemic of the past. After its peak in 2016, ransomware cases gradually began to decline, replaced by less severe attacks from cryptocurrency mining viruses.
The Attackers Shift their Target
While at the surface it seemed like ransomware was defeated once and for all, many changes were occurring behind closed doors. Namely, a shift of target by ransomware attackers.
A report published every year by the US Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has shown that ransomware cases in the United States have decreased from 2,673 in 2016 to 1,394. And yet, the loss from ransomware has jumped from $2.4 million to over $3.6 million.
While ransomware cases have decreased, the cost of damage has risen significantly. What does this mean? Instead of attacking individuals, ransomware attackers have shifted their focus onto companies that are capable of paying more hefty ransoms.
Corporate Damage Skyrockets
In early 2019, the number of corporate ransomware cases was reported to have increased by a whopping 521%. The report by Malwarebytes indicates that this surge was caused by ‘Troldesh,' a ransomware virus that is thought to be of Russian origin. This year, it has wreaked havoc across the United States.
Is Backing Up Data the Solution?
Many people believe ransomware is no issue, as long as backups are made every day. Is that really so? Yes, and no. Backing up data can be an important safety precaution in the face of ransomware attacks, but it doesn’t always succeed in preventing them. If your data is backed up to an internal server that is always connected to your regular server, then guess what? Ransomware will likely also infect your backup server. Be mindful about your backup location and who or what has potential access to it. For a higher chance of security, we recommend using the cloud for your backups.
If you’re a business owner or involved in IT security, make sure your defenses against ransomware are formidable. Take all safety measures possible, before it’s too late.
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