Ransomware awareness: USB device risks
Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious software) that encrypts files and demands a ransom to decrypt them. Ransomware exploded over the past few years and is now considered the top cyber threat to most businesses. A device may be infected in several ways:
· Phishing or smishing (phishing over SMS/ social media)
· Downloads from compromised websites
· USB and removable media
Our Security team regularly reviews the threat landscape. USB storage represents a significant threat since malware can propagate itself through an infected device. The answer? Cloud sharing through approved platforms (OneDrive internally and Liquidfiles externally): it is cheap, fast, easy to access and impossible to lose! It also allows automatic application of retention policies, so you can save time and worry about complying. Plus sharing can be revoked at any time, which means we can all be less prone to oversharing!
RX plans to block access to USB storage in the coming weeks. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your Senior Risk and Compliance Officer.
Key facts
Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report tracked the dramatic surge in ransomware attacks in 2022; identifying ransomware in 25% of all breaches.
IBM's Cost of a Data Breach 2022 put the average cost of ransomware at $4.5 million per breach.
Forbes estimates the global cost of Ransomware to rise to $265 billion in the next 8 years.
Learn more:
Join our My Whole Self Panel Discussion
Wednesday April 12 11am – 12pm BST
Bringing our whole self to work enables us to have better mental wellbeing (and is unsurprisingly better for business). By putting diversity and inclusion at the centre of workplace mental health and wellbeing, we can create a workplace culture where people can bring their whole self to work.
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on what it means to bring your whole self to work with panellists Kevin O’Donoghue, Oliver McMechan and Rav Rayat. During the discussion they’ll share more about their experiences, links with wellbeing, and how we can continue to foster a supportive, inclusive workplace.
Built with Shorthand
