Luck is Not a Cybersecurity Strategy.

While lucky shamrocks and leprechauns make for charming tales over a pint, they make dangerous cybersecurity strategies.

Protect your data with more than wishful thinking.

Many businesses operate with the “luck of the Irish” approach to cybersecurity: “Sure, but we haven’t been breached yet, must be our lucky shamrock,” or, “We’re too small for hackers to notice us, it’d be like finding a four-leaf clover in a field.”

The truth? Digital tricksters don’t care about lucky charms. They care about vulnerabilities, and they’re searching for them 24/7 with automated tools.

The “Paid Once, Marked Forever” Curse

In Irish folklore, leprechauns were known for mischievous trickery. Today’s cybercriminals have their own version of mischief, and it’s far more costly.

When you get ransomwared and proceed to pay a ransom, you might think you’ve avoided catastrophe.  Unfortunately, what you’ve done is painted a giant sign on your door that says: “PAYS RANSOMS–COME BACK ANYTIME!” On top of that, you may not get all your data back.

Here’s why you’ll likely become a repeat target:

You’re on the Map: Ransomware groups maintain detailed databases of organizations that have paid and sometimes sell that to other groups on the dark web. If you don’t fix the underlying vulnerability, it’s a big rainbow leading to your data.

“Golden Shamrock” Effect: To cybercriminals, your organization now represents guaranteed income. Each time you pay, attackers increase their demands, knowing you lack proper defenses and will likely pay again. Repeat attacks will often occur under a year after the first.

This St. Patrick’s Day, replace wishful thinking with strategic planning:

Defense in Depth: Layer multiple security controls so if one fails, others catch the breach.

Backup, Test, Repeat: Implement backups and regularly test restoration (we do this for our managed services customers).

Train Your Human Firewall: Your employees are either your strongest defense or your greatest vulnerability–there’s no in-between. We have employee training available to help you—just ask for information, or forward Cyber Treats to your team weekly!

Incident Response Planning: Know exactly what you’ll do if you face a security incident.

Remember: In cybersecurity, as in life, we create our own luck through preparation, vigilance, and smart investments in protection.

May your networks stay secure and your data protected! Cheers to that!

Try Your Luck: Enter the Cyber Treats Gift Card Giveaway! We’re giving a lucky winner a $50 Visa Gift Card. Click here to enter.