Ransomware can feel like an inevitability in today’s digital landscape, but SMBs have many tools at their disposal to protect their critical information. Notably, ransomware always requires a foothold to infiltrate a company, and this avenue is often achieved through known exploits in legacy systems or phishing scams that induce employees to grant network access to cybercriminals.

Ring is emblematic of the consequences of failing to embrace data security as a top priority. As a result of multiple data security instances and allegations of weak data privacy standards, Ring has endured significant brand erosion, and these episodes continue to degrade their competitive advantage. In an industry where customers have many options to choose from, this could be a serious factor in the company’s future financial success.

As we’ve reported on our blog, the latest phishing attack trends have adopted many of the hallmarks of internet security, including HTTPs encryption, to dupe unsuspecting recipients into compromising critical data. Although such attacks are difficult to spot, SMBs can ensure that their employees serve as the first-line of defense by implementing consistent awareness training that keeps employees abreast of the latest trends.

Unfortunately, once ransomware takes root, companies are guaranteed to pay a hefty sum to restore their services and operations. Whether paying hackers to decrypt information or hiring cybersecurity specialists to restore from backups, the price tag can be enormous. When coupled with the opportunity costs that accompany system outages, the ROI on preventative measures becomes obvious in the face of ransomware and other attack vectors.

Third-party partnerships are important business initiatives in today’s digital environment, but when they result in a cybersecurity incident, the repercussions often far outweigh the opportunities. Moreover, vendors with a track record for lax cybersecurity standards will likely find it difficult to find customers willing to work with them, making data security a critical component of any successful business model.