Ransomware in Ireland can be a tricky topic for Irish businesses to navigate.
Despite its status as a very real threat, many business owners are uncertain of just how damaging such attacks can be. Aside from having the ability to halt an organisation’s operations, ransomware can also be used as a means to encrypt data, which can cause significant financial damage to companies of all sizes.
The key to mitigating these dangers is to prepare for the possibility of a ransomware attack and protect your operations from all angles, as we explore in this post.
Ransomware in Ireland: What you need to know
Last year, Ireland was listed among the top 20 most digitally competitive countries worldwide. Because of this status, cybercriminals see many opportunities in this country.
Worse still, Irish businesses are largely unprepared for the dangers associated with increased digitalisation, with a recent survey finding that in the past five years alone, one in eight businesses has suffered a financial loss due to a cyberattack.
From trending attacks like double extortion to supply chain attacks, ransomware plays a large role in these cybercrime rates.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a form of malicious software that infiltrates a business’s network or devices, encrypts files, and refuses to restore access unless the targeted organisation pays a ransom.
This method is particularly dangerous because it can spread across servers and databases very quickly, diminishing a business’s capacity to keep operations up and running.
While ransomware directly attacks IT systems, it has a knock-on effect on a company’s reputation, supply chain, data protection obligations and regulatory compliance.
Worryingly, simply paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee recovery of all your data; 29% of Irish businesses that have suffered an attack in the past year experienced a data leak after a ransom had already been paid.
How to protect your business from ransomware attacks
No business is resistant to the lingering threat of cybercrime. However, it’s important to note that there are several factors that increase your vulnerability to ransomware attacks, from facilitating remote and hybrid work environments to implementing weak disaster recovery processes.
It’s vital to ensure all bases are safeguarded by adopting a layered protection strategy:
1. Invest in expert-led cyber security awareness training
With human error facilitating a significant portion of breaches, employees are often the weakest link in your chain of defence.
A 2024 survey by Hiscox revealed that 46% of organisations that had experienced a cyberattack cited an employee as “the first point of entry in at least one attack”.
The key to minimising the potential for human error in a business setting is to invest in cyber security awareness training to educate staff on both preventative and reactive measures.
A modern training programme should include simulated phishing, interactive modules, and reporting to management so you can track progress.
This is undoubtedly an investment worth making; a well-trained team is more likely to spot suspicious emails, report anomalies, and act promptly.
2. Prioritise backups and implement effective disaster-recovery planning
Regularly backing up critical data is a prominent step in any business’s cyber safety strategy.
This simple action is also a key component in an overall disaster recovery plan, enabling an organisation to quickly restore systems in the event of an attack.
The widely recommended 3-2-1 rule applies to this practice: three copies, on two different media, one off-site.
3. Update outdated software
Ransomware attackers prey on old software, so the importance of ensuring updates are carried out regularly cannot be overstated.
Regularly check operating systems and applications are up to date by enabling automatic updates and manually checking for any you may have missed.
The use of security tools is also effective in this context, such as antivirus, firewalls, email filtering and VPNs. These are particularly beneficial to employees requiring remote access.
4. Create an incident response plan
You can protect your business by being proactive, and this means creating a thorough incident response plan that promotes a well-coordinated response across all teams in the event of a ransomware attack.
An effective plan should:
- Establish in advance who is responsible for responding to an incident.
- Detail how infected systems will be contained.
- List the steps required to restore normal operations.
A plan such as this will facilitate the swift isolation of affected devices, as well as the accurate identification of the malware involved.
5. Strengthen protection with SOC (Security Operations Centre) services
Ransomware evolves quickly, and even well-prepared businesses can struggle to detect sophisticated attacks early. SOC services provide continuous 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, and rapid incident response across your entire IT environment.
With a SOC in place, suspicious activity is identified in real time, allowing threats to be contained before they spread, disrupt operations, or encrypt critical data. For many Irish SMEs, SOC support offers enterprise-level protection without the cost of building an in-house team.
6. Choose the right IT services partner
Managing cybersecurity in-house can be challenging. Having a trusted managed IT provider ensures you’re not relying solely on your internal team when disaster strikes.
At Calnet IT Solutions, we take a “people-first” approach, emphasising clear advice, responsive service and scalable solutions.
The role of cybersecurity awareness training in the fight against ransomware in Ireland
At the heart of a strong defence is your workforce. By embedding cyber security awareness training as a core part of your cyber security strategy, you move from hoping the attack won’t happen to being prepared if and when it does.
Our cybersecurity awareness training service is designed for Irish businesses of all sizes.
The programme includes:
- Baseline testing via simulated phishing to assess risk.
- Regular training campaigns: interactive modules, videos, games, newsletters.
- Unlimited simulated phishing attacks and advanced reporting for leadership insight.
The above training is crucial for building a team of well-trained staff who can protect your business from the inside out.
Calnet IT: Protecting your business against ransomware in Ireland
By combining well-trained staff, modern protective measures, regular backups and a strong incident response plan, and by partnering with a trusted provider, you can significantly reduce the risk and impact of a ransomware attack.
If you’d like to learn how our cybersecurity awareness training can be tailored for your business, or how our broader managed IT and cybersecurity services can help you build resilience, we’d be delighted to talk.
Contact us today to learn more!
