Use of e-mail continuity in the event of ransomware attacks

Cyberattacks are a threat to every company these days. Although there are increasingly frequent reports in the media about extensive ransomware attacks and how they affect IT companies and their customers, but the number of unreported cases is probably much higher.

Companies face considerable problems with ransomware attacks. The immediate challenge is the disruption to day-to-day business and, in particular, the massive disruption to email communication, which is essential for normal business operations today. Customer orders can't come in, own orders can't go out, agreements with customers or within the team can't be made. E-mails have simply become indispensable. In addition, such attacks harbour serious security and data protection risks. This makes ransomware attacks a particularly dangerous threat for companies. One possible safeguard in the event of an emergency is to set up an e-mail continuity service in advance.

What is a ransomware attack?

A ransomware attack is a type of cyberattack in which malicious software (ransomware) is used to block or encrypt access to data or systems. A ransom is then demanded from the affected company.

These attacks often begin with infection through phishing e-mail, infected software downloads or exploited security vulnerabilities. After infection, the ransomware encrypts important data on the system and demands a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, for its release. The attackers threaten permanent data loss, publication on the darknet or further damage if the ransom is not paid.

This is particularly threatening for companies, as it not only results in financial damage and possible loss of business but also harbours data loss, loss of reputation and potential legal consequences. Companies should therefore rely on regular security updates, training their employees in dealing with phishing attempts and regular data backups to protect themselves against such attacks.

E-mail continuity as insurance for emergencies

E-mail continuity refers to systems and measures that ensure that a company's e-mail service continues to function even in the event of a failure, such as technical problems or cyber-attacks. The aim is to maintain e-mail traffic without major interruptions or data loss.

You can think of it like an insurance for e-mail: If the normal e-mail system is down for any reason, e-mail continuity is activated so that employees can continue to send and receive e-mails. This is especially important in organisations where e-mail communication is critical to daily operations.

What is e-mail continuity?

With an e-mail continuity service, mailboxes are prepared in advance for all employees. These clean e-mail inboxes can be activated in the event of a crisis to ensure that e-mails can be received and sent without major interruption. They run on their IT infrastructure and are not connected to the company's systems and services. The mailboxes are accessed via a webmailer, which only requires a normal browser. This means that secure e-mail communication is quickly restored.

In which scenarios does e-mail continuity help?

E-mail continuity helps in various scenarios, especially in situations where a company's normal e-mail communication is interrupted. Some examples are:

  1. Technical disruptions: including server failures, power outages, hardware problems or a fire in the data centre (a data centre burned down in Strasbourg in 2021)
  2. Cyber attacks: In the event of ransomware attacks, viruses or other cyber threats
  3. Security vulnerabilities: Through attack vectors or compromise of the existing solution
  4. Natural disasters: In the event of events such as floods, earthquakes or severe storms that can damage physical infrastructure

 

E-Mail continuity with mailbox.org Emergency

We already provide e-mail continuity for some customers and are working on offering this service as a stand-alone self-service product. If you want to protect your company against such threat scenarios, please contact us:

E-Mail Continuity for businesses

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