Ransomware Recovery: Lessons from the Front Lines
When ransomware strikes, preparation makes the difference between business continuity and catastrophic loss. Here are real-world lessons from organizations that survived.
Ransomware attacks have evolved from nuisance to existential threat. In 2025 alone, organizations paid over $1 billion in ransoms, yet many still lost critical data. The key to survival isn't paying the ransom – it's preparation.
Organizations that successfully recovered from ransomware attacks share common characteristics:
1. Immutable Backups
Regular backups are essential, but they must be immutable – protected from modification or deletion by attackers. Air-gapped backups, stored offline or in isolated environments, provide the ultimate safety net.
2. Incident Response Plans
Having a documented, tested incident response plan saves precious hours when every minute counts. The plan should include communication protocols, decision trees for ransom payment, and recovery procedures.
3. Network Segmentation
When ransomware enters a network, it spreads laterally. Properly segmented networks contain the blast radius, preventing the infection from reaching critical systems.
The best defense against ransomware is assuming it will happen. Build your security strategy around resilience, not just prevention. When the inevitable occurs, you'll be ready to recover without paying a single Bitcoin.