Imagine arriving at work and discovering that all your files are gone. Not simply misplaced or accidentally deleted, but completely locked and inaccessible. Encrypted by criminals who are now demanding a large payment to return them. This is not an unlikely situation. It is exactly how ransomware operates, and it is becoming more frequent across every industry. In the first quarter of 2025, ransomware attacks rose by 84 percent compared to the same period last year. Around twothirds of businesses have faced this type of attack in the past two years. These figures are not just statistics. They represent real companies, disrupted operations, and enormous financial consequences. The question is no longer whether a business might be targeted, but whether it is ready to respond when it is.
Ransomware works by infiltrating your systems, encrypting your files, and demanding money in exchange for unlocking them. It causes immediate disruption and forces you into a stressful decision. Even worse, attackers no longer stop at your active files. They also target your backups. Research shows that 96 percent of organisations affected by ransomware also had their backup data compromised. That means the fallback many companies rely on may not be there when it is needed most. Criminals are actively working to undermine your recovery options, knowing full well that businesses without access to backups are far more likely to pay. This shift in tactics shows how critical it is to rethink how data is stored and protected.
One of the most effective solutions is to use immutable backup storage. "Immutable" means the data cannot be changed, deleted, or overwritten once it is saved. Not even someone with full system access can alter it. This makes it extremely difficult for attackers to tamper with your backups, even if they get into your network. It is like keeping your most important files in a secure vault that only you can open when needed. In the past, this level of protection was achieved by disconnecting physical storage devices from the network, but that approach is no longer practical for most organisations. Fortunately, today’s cloud-based solutions can offer the same level of immutability in a far more efficient, automated, and scalable way.
Even with these modern tools available, many companies still have not adopted them. Although 81 percent of IT professionals believe immutable backups are the best protection against ransomware, only 59 percent of businesses are using them. That gap puts a large number of organisations at serious risk. Firewalls, antivirus software, and user access controls are still important, but they cannot guarantee full protection. When those measures fail, your backups are the last line of defence. They must be secure, reliable, and untouched by the attack. The safest mindset is to plan as though a breach will eventually occur. That means focusing on how quickly and effectively you can recover. If you would like help reviewing your current approach or need guidance on setting up immutable backup systems, we are ready to support you.
To Find Out More Book Your Appointment Here
If you'd like to know more or want to book a no-obligation 10-minute call with our Managing Director and cybersecurity expert, Mark Cronin, click the link below:
