As a threat analyst who worked on multiple ransomware incidents, I think we have to explain ransomware as a digital hostage situation where attackers lock access to critical files (like locking your house) and demand payment for the key. Share real-world examples of businesses losing millions or shutting down. Highlight how vigilance and response can prevent or minimize damage.

Para ampliar o debate sobre ransomware é importante considerar o impacto emocional e psicológico causado por ataques, tanto nos indivíduos afetados quanto nas equipes que precisam lidar com a crise, destacando a necessidade de suporte emocional em situações de alta pressão. Além disso, é importante discutir as implicações legais e éticas, incluindo a responsabilidade com dados de terceiros e os dilemas de optar ou não pelo pagamento do resgate. Por último, trazer à discussão o uso de inteligência artificial e ferramentas avançadas de monitoramento para detectar ameaças e prevenir ataques, incentivando uma abordagem mais estratégica e proativa.

To make ransomware threats relatable to your team, start by comparing it to a digital hostage situation where attackers lock critical files and demand payment for their release. Highlight the real-world impact, such as operational disruption, reputational damage, and financial losses, by sharing examples like the Colonial Pipeline attack. Simplify the technical aspects, explaining how ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails or weak passwords. Emphasize the importance of cybersecurity by connecting it to their personal and professional lives, showing how an attack could directly affect their work or compromise sensitive data. This approach helps them understand the urgency and take ownership of preventive measures.

To make complex security topics like ransomware engaging and relatable for my team, I focus on creating practical, interactive, and story-driven learning experiences. Here's how I approach it: Real-Life Stories with Impact: I share case studies or real-world examples of ransomware incidents, particularly ones that resonate with our industry or business type. Hearing about the consequences other companies have faced, such as financial loss or operational downtime, makes the threat feel tangible. Analogies and Everyday Comparisons: I simplify technical jargon by comparing ransomware to relatable scenarios. For example, I might liken it to someone locking all the doors and windows in your house and demanding payment for the keys.

In today’s world, data is the lifeblood of businesses. Companies rely on it to attract and retain customers (CRM), streamline operations (ERP), manage IT infrastructure (ITSM, CMDB), and stay competitive. But what happens when that data suddenly becomes inaccessible? Imagine a single secondary system going down, and within days, over 50% of your company’s systems are compromised. Operations come to a halt, forcing you to shut down shop for days. Every hour of downtime is a significant financial loss. Then, someone offers a way out—promising to restore access if you pay 0.5% of your annual revenue. This is the grim reality of ransomware attacks—highly challenging to combat due to the asymmetric advantage they provide to attackers.

To make complex security topics like ransomware engaging, I use relatable examples and analogies, such as comparing ransomware to a physical break-in to highlight its impact. Sharing real-life stories of attacks on similar businesses makes the threat more tangible. Interactive simulations are especially effective—they allow the team to experience how ransomware spreads and the critical need for a quick response. By making the topic practical and interactive, I ensure it resonates and drives awareness.

Poder transmitir y hacer comprender el impacto de un ataque ransomoware no es una tarea sencilla. La mayoría piensa que se trata de un malware y que se soluciona con una “limpieza” de un virus. La analogía con casos reales de secuestro y rescate es la mejor forma de lograr impacto. Que harías si alguien bloquea el acceso a tu hogar y no hay forma de que puedas entrar si no pagas un rescate. Lo harías, buscarías alternativas o te resignarías a perderlo todo. Sin dudas las medidas preventivas y la toma de conciencia de los riesgos a los que estamos expuestos es donde hay que invertir, por que después, ya es tarde.

Awareness on Ransomeware is not one time activity . Ongoing training, posters, mailers informing do’s and don’t are some of the measures, followed by every organisation. Ensuring data backups , checking availability of data by restoration would protect organisations from ransomware impact . However to create efficient team, Effectiveness of trainings , awareness must be tested through various methods such as quiz. Assessment on real time examples, dummy mails etc