As reported in Forbes, the American Dental Association (ADA) was the victim of a ransomware attack that led to the release of information including W2 and other tax forms, financial spreadsheets and much more.
While the ADA is still working to determine the full extent of the breach, we wanted to take a moment to discuss what other organizations can learn from this incident.
Disaster Recovery Plan
First and foremost, it’s important to have a disaster recovery plan in place. This should be a comprehensive plan that outlines how to respond to various types of disasters, including ransomware attacks.
Backup Data Regularly
In the event of a ransomware attack, having a recent backup can be the difference between paying the ransom and getting your systems back up and running quickly.
Invest in Cybersecurity
Organizations should also invest in cybersecurity solutions that can help prevent attacks in the first place. These solutions can include firewalls, antivirus software and more.
Educate Employees
Additionally, it’s important to educate your employees about the dangers of ransomware and how to avoid becoming infected. Employees should know not to open attachments from unknown senders and to be suspicious of links in emails.
Additionally, employees should know what to do if they believe their system has been infected with ransomware.
Keep Software Up to Date
Finally, it’s important to keep all software up to date. Hackers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities in software that they can exploit.
By keeping your software up to date, you can help to close these gaps and make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your systems.
Use reputable security software. There are a number of different types of security software available, so it’s important to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.
Be Prepared
This attack is a reminder that no organization is immune to cyberattacks, no matter how large or well-funded they may be. The ADA is just one of many organizations that have been hit by ransomware in recent years.
