Should you pay a ransomware demand?

The decision to pay a ransomware demand must be taken carefully, with acknowledgement and acceptance of risks and in concert with various stakeholders. The time to figure out the policy toward ransomware payment is not during the event.

How does ransomware affect profit margins?

However, even with this single incremental data point, profit margins remain very high for ransomware actors, and risk of arrest also remains low. The percentage of ransomware attacks that involved the threat to release stolen data increased from 50% in Q3, to 70% in Q4. Despite this, fewer companies are giving in and paying the extortion demand.

What happens if you pay a ransom?

“Understanding what happens if you pay is key to making that decision.” What happens if you pay? Theoretically, if organizations pay the ransom, the attackers will provide a decryption tool and withdraw the threat to publish stolen data. However, payment doesn’t guarantee all data will be restored.

What is the 2023 global ransomware report?

The 2023 Global Ransomware Report Fortinet recently surveyed 569 cybersecurity leaders and decision-makers from organizations of all sizes and industries around the globe to understand their perspectives on ransomware, how it has impacted their organizations, and what strategies they have in place to mitigate a potential attack.