August 28, 2025
Cyberattacks are no longer exceptional events — they have become part of today’s business landscape. In 2024 alone, France reported 3,004 cyber-related alerts and 1,361 confirmed incidents, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year. Among these, 144 were ransomware attacks.
No organization is immune. Regardless of industry or size, every company could be a potential target. However, with robust preventive measures and a structured response, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of an attack and minimize the consequences of a cyber incident.
Cybersecurity Starts with Understanding the Risk
Cybercriminals often act opportunistically. They rarely select their targets based on size, reputation, or revenue; instead, they exploit vulnerabilities. Poorly secured systems quickly become easy entry points for attackers.
The first step in strengthening protection is managing a company’s exposure online. This involves conducting regular security audits of all systems and applications — a practice that becomes even more critical when obtaining cyber insurance. Such proactive measures not only meet insurance requirements but also form the foundation of a company’s overall cyber resilience.
Effective protection also depends on several key measures:
- Using strong, unique passwords stored in password managers
- Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA), especially for applications accessible from outside the corporate network, such as email or VPNs
- Engaging employees in proper digital security hygiene, an often underestimated but essential factor in maintaining a strong security posture
Finally, fostering awareness and providing continuous training help employees recognize threats early and respond appropriately. Such vigilance is often the key to preventing minor incidents from escalating into serious breaches.
Crisis Response: Clarity and Speed Matter
In a cyber crisis, every second — and every decision — counts. Having a concise, easily accessible document with key contacts, such as the broker, insurer, and backup provider, helps accelerate response efforts and reduce potential damage.
Equally important is clear, factual communication. It enables a company to present key issues and necessary actions in a way that is easy to understand. Customers, employees, partners, shareholders, and regulatory authorities should be informed promptly and appropriately to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
Organizing crisis management exercises further strengthens readiness. These simulations help teams practice the required steps as soon as an incident is detected, including securing systems, documenting evidence, and notifying supervisory authorities, police, or gendarmerie within the established regulatory deadlines.
Data Backup: The Backbone of Recovery
Regular data backups, including offline copies, help limit the impact of an intrusion. In the event of an attack, affected systems should be disconnected from the external network and the backup media powered down to prevent further compromise.
By taking these measures, companies can better protect themselves against blackmail or ransom demands and resume operations more quickly after a cyberattack.
Why Paying a Ransom Is Not the Answer
Investigating the source of an attack is essential. It not only supports recovery efforts but also helps identify security gaps, enabling organizations to strengthen their defenses and reduce the risk of future breaches.
Once vulnerabilities are identified, the next challenge is deciding how to handle compromised data and restore access. In many cases, attackers demand a ransom in exchange for returning the data. However, paying a ransom offers no guarantees. It does not ensure the safe recovery or confidentiality of information and can also expose companies to legal, ethical, and financial risks.
Fortunately, alternatives exist. Specialized service providers can often recover most compromised data — even without prior backups — using advanced recovery technologies. These solutions allow organizations to regain control and restore operations without supporting criminal activity.
Conclusion: Security Is a Shared Responsibility
Cybersecurity today goes beyond IT — it touches every part of an organization. By identifying vulnerabilities, preparing for potential incidents, protecting critical data, and ensuring employees are well-informed, companies can strengthen their defenses and recover more effectively when challenges arise.
