Malware & Vulnerabilities

The widespread WannaCry attack demonstrated the acute vulnerability of computer systems to ransomware attacks. There is no reason to think that larger, more sophisticated attacks aren’t already being planned — the perpetrators of WannaCry reportedly profited handsomely — and companies that have not assessed and addressed the risk posed to their systems by such attacks may remain vulnerable.

Companies can take prophylactic steps to protect their systems against ransomware, focusing on improving data security hygiene, establishing effective governance and raising employees’ awareness of the threat.

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A couple of weeks ago, possibly every security manager in the world was dealing with the repercussions of WannaCry, a ransomware worm that screamed across the internet and flooded the media. IT and security departments, placed on high alert, had to scramble — whether or not any of their systems had been infected. I was no exception.

The global WannaCry ransomware attack, which crippled hospitals, government organizations, companies and individuals around the world, didn’t have to happen. It was no grand technological feat perpetrated by genius hacker masterminds. Instead, it took advantage of the lazy, patchwork way organizations handle security and the seamy roles that the National Security Agency (NSA) and big tech companies play in undermining security in the internet age.

And that, in fact, is a piece of good news. Because it means that stopping the next global malware attack needn’t be impossible. Here are five steps that can do it.

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