Your ransomware nightmare just came true – now what?

This feature outlines practical steps and considerations for organizations facing ransomware, including initial forensic review, wiping and restoring from backups, and the residual risk even after decryption. It explains how RaaS ecosystems and negotiators operate, typical pricing strategies (e.g., initial demands at ~5% of annual revenue), and the influence of cyber insurance on extortion amounts, with case references such as Colonial Pipeline, UnitedHealth/Change Healthcare, and PowerSchool. The article notes bitcoin as the dominant payment method, advises secrecy about insurers and external negotiators, and emphasizes that paying ransoms funds further criminal activity.