Lockbit Cybercriminal Gang Taken Offline in Concerted Police Effort

This morning, we woke to a major announcement that Britain, the US, and EU have disrupted the Lockbit cybercriminal gang. We have all come to know the Lockbit group as one of the most sophisticated cybercriminal ransomware gangs in the world responsible for major ransomware breaches and data exfiltration events. The effort to take down…
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When did the first ransomware attack occur?

Have you ever wondered how long ransomware has been a thing? You might think it all started in 2013 with CryptoLocker, but, that is not correct. The first ransomware variant was introduced when I was still in elementary school. In 1989, a Harvard graduate and evolutionary biologist named Joseph Popp took full advantage of the…
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Ransomware – The game of cat and mouse

Ransomware – The game of cat and mouse If you have a house infested with mice, you might think you can solve the problem by buying a cat. But not all cats are raised the same. Some cats are better mouse hunters than others. Getting a cat is a commitment. You must feed the cat…
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What Happens When MSPs Get Hit with Ransomware?

The “worst-case” scenario is no longer unexpected in the channel. MSPs are increasingly on the receiving end of the cybersecurity attacks that they spend so much time and money trying to stop for their clients. With so many variables (human error is at the top of that list) and possible entry points for cybercriminals and…
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The Top 8 Myths About Ransomware

With 24/7 news cycles and an overabundance of social media streams, the flow of information available on the internet is mind-boggling. Unfortunately, the accuracy of the reports, suggestions, and “facts” shared through those forums is questionable, at best. The truth often gets distorted by opinions or through the loss or changing of certain elements of…
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Constructing a Valued Cybersecurity Bundle

The ultimate defense is a myth. However, the growing anxiety about ransomware, phishing, and other cyberattacks is putting a lot of pressure on MSPs. How do you design the best protection packages for a wide array of clients? Given the shifting business and threat environments, that objective is becoming a bigger challenge every day, yet…
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Left or Right of Boom? Cover All Your Bases with Cybersecurity

Military terminology can be a great descriptor for the various actions and approaches taken in the IT industry. A case in point is what some refer to as the “left of boom” and “right of boom” methodologies in the cybersecurity area, indicating the different ways companies protect their data and business systems. The former refers…
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To Pay or Not to Pay: How Could Ransomware Laws Affect MSPs?

Anything goes in a war. According to technology and security experts, the ongoing battles with cybercriminals are escalating exponentially and are rapidly turning into “no holds barred” situations. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the cost of ransomware incidents worldwide is expected to top $265 billion by 2031. To business owners −whether tech-savvy or naïve – those…
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Cybersecurity Investments Point to New Opportunities for MSPs

The data and network protection market is hot. From the smallest firms to the largest enterprise organizations, businesses need quality cybersecurity support, and most can benefit from a range of other services that MSPs deliver. Researchers suggest that the demand for those mutual IT-related offerings will reach unprecedented levels in the near future. (more…)
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Taking a Cybersecurity Role in a Co-Managed IT Environment

Business is changing. Not only are the SMB clients you support transforming their operations from WFH and hybrid work environments to the adoption of more cloud services, but larger organizations are openly seeking new options. The more than year-long COVID-19 pandemic continues to stretch the already thin resources of many businesses, including those with large…
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