Running a business today brings plenty of challenges from HR to health and safety, however one area that we feel should never be ignored is cybersecurity.
However because ransomware no longer dominate the headlines, it may slip down the priority list as something to address in a business.
The reality is that ransomware attackers have become more aggressive and destructive. It’s no longer just about locking your systems it’s now common for criminals to first steal sensitive data. This puts businesses under even greater pressure to pay up, fearing both downtime and the public exposure of confidential information.
And if the attack itself wasn’t bad enough, there’s often a second challenge, which is dealing with the Data Protection Commission and the potential for fines under GDPR.
Recent High-Profile Incidents
Here are just a few recent examples that demonstrate the risks:
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Marks & Spencer (UK) → In April 2025, the retailer suffered a major cyberattack.
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Frederick Health (USA) → In January 2025, nearly one million patients’ data was compromised in a ransomware attack on this healthcare provider.
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Cabot Financial (Ireland) → In October 2024, a cyberattack impacted around 80 Irish credit unions and lenders, underlining that no organisation is immune.
And remember — these are just the attacks that made the headlines. Many ransomware incidents, especially among small and medium-sized businesses, go unreported. Fearing reputational damage, many companies quietly pay ransoms, leaving the true scale of the threat hidden.
What You Should Have in Place Right Now
To reduce your ransomware risk, every business should have these core protections:
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Next-generation endpoint protection and a Security Operations Centre (SOC) to monitor and stop threats 24/7
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Email filtering and phishing protection to block dangerous emails before they reach staff
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Website filtering to prevent accidental visits to malicious or compromised sites
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Secure, tested backups so you can recover without paying a ransom
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Security awareness training to help your team spot and avoid threats
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Patch management and vulnerability scanning to close weaknesses before attackers exploit them
What Happens If the Worst Happens?
Even with the best cybersecurity in place, there’s always a small risk that an attack can break through.
That’s why we’ve partnered with a cyber specialist group to be able to offer an Emergency Incident Response. — If the worst should happen, they can deploy a team of expert to contain and remediate attacks. We can also support you with data protection and compliance matters, including communications with the Data Protection Commission.
Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure
Rather than Now is the time to act to ensure you business is fully protected.
Contact us today to schedule a ransomware readiness assessment and ensure your business is prepared to face and withstand today’s cyber threats.