Three Reasons Why You Should Report Ransomware Attacks against Your Business to the FBI

In the digital age, it seems that crooks and hackers will stop at nothing to make a dime. Ransomware isn’t necessarily a new thing, but it’s been around long enough that it’s gotten pretty sophisticated. If your company is the victim of a ransomware attack, it’s very important to contact the FBI. Here’s why.

#1 – There’s Not a Single Tool or Method for Protection

Unlike virus and malware protection, there’s no one particular tool that’s dedicated to protecting your business from ransomware attacks. Aside from backing up your company’s data, performing risk analyses, training your staff, and patching potential vulnerabilities, there’s no real way to guarantee complete protection. The best protection for any company anywhere in the world is to report each act of ransomware as it occurs. This way, the FBI has a better chance of tracking down those responsible and removing the threat completely.

#2 – The FBI Doesn’t Want You to Pay the Ransom

The FBI does not advocate paying ransom to those who demand it in exchange for the safety of your data. According to James Trainor, the FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director, “Paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee an organization that it will get its data back…” In fact, it only exacerbates the problem by giving the attackers what they want – the money. Once these criminals have successfully targeted a few smaller companies, they’ll move on to larger and larger companies with very little in the way to stop them. Trainor also mentions that by paying a ransom, your company may inadvertently be paying for other illegal activity that is associated with the criminals.

#3 – You Could Be Targeted Again

Finally, the FBI also notes that many companies that pay ransoms in exchange for data are often targeted by the same criminals again in the future. Even if a company was provided with a decryption key after paying ransom the first time, there’s no guarantee that same company will get the key the second time around. If that happens, your company is out a very large sum of money, and you’re still in the same position. For that reason, it is always best to involve the FBI and allow them to catch the criminals responsible.

How to Report Ransomware

If you believe that your company has been the victim or is currently the victim of a ransomware attack, please contact your local FBI office. From there, you’ll want to report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Your local office can provide you with more information about how to file your complaint and what sort of information you can provide. The agent assigned to your case may ask that you remain in contact with the FBI to help with their investigation, and FBI agents may also come to your place of business to assess the risk.

Ransomware is a serious threat, and the number of reports are on the rise. Thieves will often stop at nothing to get the money they want, and they’ll exploit your business to do it. Reporting these attacks to the FBI gives them a better chance to collect the evidence they need to catch the criminals and spare other businesses – including your own – from future attacks.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.