RANSOMWARE: Drafting a Ransomware Recovery Plan – Definitive Drafting Notes for 2025

Adding to this alarming trend is the rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). RaaS has significantly lowered the barrier for entry, allowing even less tech-savvy criminals to rent pre-developed Ransomware tools and launch large-scale attacks. This commoditization of ransomware has led to an increase in frequency and severity of incidents, often leaving companies scrambling to recover or, worse, shutting their doors permanently.

The threat landscape has also evolved beyond the traditional single-group encryption extortion model. Cybercriminals now employ “triple extortion” tactics, threatening to expose sensitive data if ransoms are not paid and even pressuring customers, partners, or other third parties of the targeted business to pay for the return or suppression of their stolen information. This shift has made ransomware a multifaceted risk, impacting businesses’ finances, reputations, and customer trust.

However, Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) are not defenceless. With a well-structured ransomware remediation plan, SMEs can respond quickly and effectively to ransomware incidents, minimizing downtime, protecting data, and maintaining operational continuity.