Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to prevent a company from accessing its data or IT systems. Its objective is simple: to disrupt the victim’s operations and demand a ransom payment in exchange for a key that should, in theory, allow the affected files to be recovered.
In most cases, an attack begins with human error. An employee opens a malicious attachment, clicks on a fraudulent link or unknowingly exposes an unpatched security vulnerability. Once installed, the ransomware can spread rapidly across the company’s network, encrypting documents, databases, servers or workstations. The affected files then become completely unusable.
The consequences go far beyond simply losing access to data. A company may see its operations grind to a halt, employees unable to work, customers left without service and its reputation seriously damaged.
Today, many cybercriminal groups go even further. Before encrypting the data, they steal it and threaten to publish it if the ransom is not paid. This practice is known as double extortion.
Paying the ransom is never a guarantee that all data will be recovered. Cybercriminals may never provide the decryption key, or they may leave backdoors in place that allow them to attack the company again at a later stage.
This is why prevention remains the best form of protection. Regular backups, security updates, continuous system monitoring, endpoint protection and employee awareness can significantly reduce the risk.
This is precisely the approach advocated by MCG: analysing risks, implementing appropriate solutions and providing ongoing monitoring to anticipate cyber threats. The objective is simple: to allow companies to focus on their core business while cybersecurity experts take care of protecting their IT systems.