A new type of malware recently targeted the Stryker medical corporation. This "wiper" software does not hold data for ransom. Instead, it destroys every file it touches. This attack renders computers and servers completely useless. Small businesses often assume they are too small for such targeted destruction. However, these attacks often spread through automated scripts that do not care about your company size.
To protect your business, you must maintain "air-gapped" backups. This means you keep one copy of your data entirely offline. If a wiper attack hits your network, it cannot reach a drive that is physically disconnected. We also recommend implementing strict "least privilege" access. Employees should only have access to the specific folders they need for their daily tasks. This limits the "blast radius" if a single device becomes infected. Do not wait for an attack to test your recovery speed. Run a restoration drill this month to ensure your backups actually work. If you are unsure if your backups can survive a wiper attack, contact us for a comprehensive data recovery audit.