Netsurion, an MSSP that offers managed network security, resilience and compliance support, is working with security information and event management (SIEM) provider EventTracker to help organizations address point-of-sale (POS) ransomware.
The companies this week launched POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment, a free online app designed to help organizations evaluate their POS ransomware risk level.
Organizations can use POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment to estimate how POS ransomware will impact their revenues and downtime, according to a prepared statement.
In addition, POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment provides organizations with customized POS ransomware protection recommendations and guidance, Netsurion indicated.
POS Ransomware: Here's What You Need to Know
POS attacks allow cybercriminals to steal credit card data that can be sold on the black market on a per-account basis, Netsurion said in a prepared statement.
Meanwhile, POS ransomware attacks enable cybercriminals to "receive more money, more quickly by holding a company virtually hostage," according to Netsurion.
May's WannaCry attack and June's Petya attack show ransomware attacks are increasing in size and severity around the globe.
As such, it may be only a matter of time before more cybercriminals launch POS ransomware attacks against organizations of all sizes, Netsurion and EventTracker Global Chief Information Security Officer John Christly said in a company statement.
"If ransomware attackers turn their attention to the already heavily targeted POS systems, and choose instead to hold a merchant hostage by preventing them from making transactions, victims could bleed millions of dollars in lost revenue daily until they recover the function of the POS systems," Christly stated.
Ransomware Prevention Best Practices
Cloud backup and business continuity solutions provider Zetta recently released a Ransomware Prevention Checklist to help MSPs and other businesses minimize the impact of ransomware.
Zetta also offered the following best practices to prevent ransomware attacks:
- Keep your network security up to date. Use an antivirus program with a real-time virus scanner, ensure all browsers and plugins are up to date and maintain an inventory of all digital assets.
- Safeguard data and hardware. Store sensitive information on an external hard drive, in the cloud or both.
- Change your online behaviors. Avoid downloads from unknown sources.
With an informed and proactive approach to ransomware, organizations can limit the impact of ransomware attacks.
