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

Large organizations don’t rely solely on backup systems to recover from ransomware attacks because there are several reasons why paying ransomware demands might seem like a quicker or more guaranteed solution:

1. Time-sensitive data: In some cases, the data being held ransom is time-sensitive and cannot wait for restoration from backups, making paying the ransom a more attractive option to quickly regain access.

2. Reputation and customer trust: Large organizations may consider paying the ransom to prevent potential reputational damage or loss of customer trust if sensitive information is leaked or systems remain compromised.

3. Legal implications: Depending on the nature of the data affected, there may be legal or regulatory obligations to protect certain information, leading organizations to consider paying the ransom to avoid potential repercussions.

4. Cost-benefit analysis: Calculating the cost of downtime, data loss, and potential damage versus the ransom amount could lead organizations to decide that paying the ransom is the most cost-effective solution.

However, paying ransomware demands is not recommended as it encourages criminal activities and there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in the safe return of data. It is always advisable for organizations to have robust backup systems in place along with proactive cybersecurity measures to prevent ransomware attacks in the first place.