According to a recent AP News article, Riviera Beach, Florida recently became the latest victim of a ransomware attack launched against a U.S. city. The attack caused numerous problems for the city including disabling their email, direct deposit, and emergency response systems. After working with outside security consultants, the city agreed to pay the hackers a ransom of $600,000 for them to unencrypt their data.
While ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent, they are also extremely preventable. For example, the attack on Riviera Beach was caused by an employee clicking on a malicious email link giving the hackers access to the city’s systems and files. Had this employee been more aware of phishing scams or known how to spot one, perhaps he/she wouldn’t have made the mistake of clicking on a link that would cost the city over half a million dollars. To be fair, hackers can be tricky, but organizations can keep their employees one step ahead of criminals by focusing more on cybersecurity.
At OptfinITy, the recent uptick in cyberattacks hasn’t gone unnoticed, which is why we have launched PerusITy, an entire division dedicated to cybersecurity, to combat these rapidly growing threats. PerusITy provides clients with preventative measures including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, 24 X 7 network monitoring, an efficient cybersecurity training program, and a business continuity plan to prevent excessive loss in the event of a breach. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the security of your organization don’t hesitate to give us a call at 571-370-5777 or visit PerusITy’s website at www.perusity.com.
Leave a Reply