Beware of Ransomware Everywhere, Including Mobile

Proactive protection: When looking at ransomware, perhaps the best strategy is also a timeless adage: “The best defense is a good offense.” Backups can save you in a worst-case scenario, but why let your customers get to that stage? When looking at security options that offer the best protection for customers, remember to look for tools that monitor application changes and detect if the changes are malicious. Strong solutions also have roll-back functionality to reverse malicious actions. That means less time restoring a system or traveling to a client.

A personal touch: When a business looks to hire an MSP, they are looking for someone to fill a void. Outside of the technology, make it a point to offer new clients training on best practices and good cybersecurity hygiene. Employees can be the weakest link in the security chain, so showcasing best practices can add value to the business relationship.

Continual touch points: Following training, look to keep clients up to date with the latest relevant security news. Not only is this a value add, but it can also be a way to educate clients in areas where they are not fully protected and let them know about the options available within their budgets.

Punctual patching: If we can learn anything from the latest rounds of ransomware epidemics, it is that patches matter. Security holes are no laughing matter.

Comprehensive backup: Backups are a trusted friend that every business (and individual, for that matter) should have. In the worst-case scenario, when a company gets infected with ransomware and cannot find a reliable decryption tool, it can restore its systems and data up to the day of the latest backup. Although this is not quite as good as rollback functionality, it is nonetheless very helpful. When advising customers about the importance of backing up data, it is a good idea to assess how vital their information is to day-to-day business.