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July is Ransomware Month: Reminder to Prepare, Defend Against Hijackers

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July is Ransomware Month, and to raise user awareness of the destructive malware KnowBe4 has released a free resource kit for IT managers.

The kit features defense strategies and tactics and methods cyber hijackers use to extort money and exfiltrate data.

What's in the Ransomware Kit?

The KnowBe4 2023 Ransomware Awareness Month Resource Kit includes:

  • Access to KnowBe4’s free on-demand Ransomware Master Class webinar featuring Roger Grimes, KnowBe4’s Data-Driven Defense Evangelist
  • KnowBe4’s white paper: Ransomware Hostage Rescue Manual and supplemental Attack Response and Prevention Checklists
  • A seven-minute video that explains The Evolution and Future of Ransomware
  • A new infographic on The Global Cost of Ransomware
  • Posters and digital signage to remind users about what to watch out for

Ransomware Racks Up $34.3 Million in Losses

According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, ransomware is present today in more than 62% of all incidents committed by organized cyber criminals and in 59% of all incidents with a financial motivation.

The 2022 Internet Crime Report, issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center, found that ransomware alone racked up $34.3 million in losses in 2022.

Explaining the inspiration behind the resource kit, KnowBe4 CEO Stu Sjouwerman said:

“Unfortunately, a majority of organizations have experienced at least one ransomware attack within the last year. In order to attempt to stop ransomware attacks, organizations must have a preventative strategy that aligns with the way these types of attacks start. Creating a snowball effect, cybercriminals are ramping up the extortion aspect of ransomware, making damages even worse and recovery that much more challenging. This is something that can only be addressed by creating a proper security culture with security awareness training at the center of it all.”

D. Howard Kass

D. Howard Kass is a contributing editor to MSSP Alert. He brings a career in journalism and market research to the role. He has served as CRN News Editor, Dataquest Channel Analyst, and West Coast Senior Contributing Editor at Channelnomics. As the CEO of The Viewpoint Group, he led groundbreaking market research.