A data breach is an embarrassing and costly episode for any company, especially when it takes nearly a decade to discover the incident. The first step to recovery is supporting those impacted by the breach, which certainly includes helping them verify the integrity of their information. By addressing their customers first, organizations begin rebuilding their tarnished reputation at a time when they will already incur ancillary expenses that stem from a cybersecurity incident.

A ransomware preparedness plan is a veritable must-have for every organization since cybersecurity threats should be considered a “when”, not an “if” proposition. Such plans should include adequate backups, which can allow cities to avoid paying a ransom, but also proper training to avoid the phishing emails that frequently deliver the ransomware. These preventative measures are significantly more affordable than the cost of a ransom payment and the ancillary opportunity costs that accompany such an attack.

When sensitive personal information is compromised in a data breach, companies have a responsibility to help their customers regain confidence in their data’s integrity. In addition to providing identity and financial monitoring services to those impacted, understanding if the exposed information is accessible on the Dark Web by hackers is a critical component of a strong breach response.

Every company needs a ransomware response plan that is both technological and philosophical. Many ransomware attacks originate through phishing scams or other malware, a maxim that underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity initiatives. At the same time, developing adequate backup protocols can help companies avoid paying ransoms that neither guarantee a solution nor curtail bad actors from returning in the future.

Phishing attacks are on the rise, delivering malware that can cripple a company’s reputation and financial standing. Fortunately, they are also entirely defensible. With proper training, employees can be transformed into the strongest line of cybersecurity defense, rather than an imminent liability. Given the high cost of a data breach, the relatively minor expense of a training program is an obvious solution for any organization.