It might seem like an age-old fear: hackers accessing technology, then demanding ransom for its safe return. Yet, ransomware is no longer a distant threat. In 2025, there has been a 132% increase in attacks across the US —for businesses of all sizes, ransomware has become a daily risk, rendering emergency contingency plans obsolete.
A big factor behind this upheaval is the rise of AI-powered ransomware. Malicious attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and more frequent. Learning how to defend your business from ransomware is now essential. Here are the four key pillars for protecting your business: prevention, technology hygiene, response planning, and employee resilience.
Establish Strong Preventive Controls & Risk Assessment
Prevention is always key. Barring access is inherently easier than removing ransomware once it has taken root. Start simple: assess your company’s exposure risk.
Identifying potential targets for a malicious attack keeps businesses one step ahead. Conduct a risk assessment of vulnerable areas, like supply-chain connections, and important systems, such as storage platforms. After assessing the exposure risk, business owners can effectively institute preventive controls. For instance, investing in access restrictions, patch management, and network segmentation.
Harden Your Infrastructure & Secure Remote Access
Digital infrastructure is your fortification; treat defenses seriously. Research endpoint protection, network monitoring, and reliable backup systems.
For those with a hybrid or remote workforce, consider investing in a business VPN – avoiding exposure through insecure networks. This is especially vital for businesses that necessitate travel for their employees. Remote access poses a significant threat of ransomware; educate employees and provide tools to strengthen your infrastructure.
Develop an Incident Response & Recovery Plan
Establishing an understanding of ransomware is essential when developing an incident response and recovery plan. To streamline this, though, check the CISA’s ransomware response checklist. These steps highlight the common pitfalls that companies fall into when managing an attack, highlighting the importance of prompt and effective action.
The secret is to create a fully tested response plan. Have designated roles and contacts, reliable scanning tools, and forensics and backups integrated into recovery processes. Swift detection and efficient isolation of ransomware infections are paramount.
Cultivate Employee Awareness & Vendor-Chain Vigilance
Protection starts with your team. Despite the increase in AI-driven attacks, humans remain the primary risk factor – phishing emails and weak external connections are classic methods for ransomware to infiltrate systems.
Vendor chains are a vulnerable spot. Evaluate the strength of third-party relationships and routinely audit supply chain risks. Simultaneously, educate employees through regular training sessions. In offices, it is worthwhile keeping visual reminders, such as the incident response plan, on display. Communication should be streamlined and secure.
Protecting your business is a multi-step process that requires daily habits and practices. Start with these four pillars and commit to a safer business.
