Why don’t big companies just use a backup system instead of paying ransomware?

Large organizations do not rely solely on backup systems to recover from ransomware attacks for several reasons:

1. Time Sensitivity: Recovery from backups can be time-consuming, potentially leading to prolonged downtime that can significantly impact operations and revenue. Paying the ransom might seem like a quicker solution.

2. Data Integrity: Organizations may not be confident in the integrity of their backups, as ransomware attackers have been known to also target and delete backup systems to increase pressure on the victim to pay the ransom.

3. Legal and Ethical Concerns: Paying ransomware demands can be illegal, as it might involve funding criminal activities. Organizations may also want to avoid setting a precedent that encourages more attacks in the future.

4. Future Vulnerabilities: Paying the ransom does not guarantee that the attackers will not strike again. Organizations need to strengthen their security measures to prevent future attacks, rather than relying on paying ransoms repeatedly.

5. Public Image and Reputation: Succumbing to ransomware demands can damage an organization’s reputation and erode the trust of customers, partners, and stakeholders. It is often seen as a sign of weak cybersecurity practices.

As a result, organizations typically use a combination of strategies, including robust cybersecurity measures, employee training, incident response plans, and backup systems to mitigate the risks of ransomware attacks and ensure a more comprehensive recovery strategy.