The #1 constantly-evolving threat

Ransomware: Are you ready?

PwC Malta’s Ransomware Readiness Assessment

Our team of local experts has designed a comprehensive Ransomware Readiness Assessment encompassing the key areas that are crucial in withstanding a ransomware attack, such as Backup Management, Incident Response, Network Management, Asset Management, Application Management, and Access Management. The objective of this assessment is to assess your maturity within the detection, response, and recovery capabilities that ensure your operational resilience in the event of a successful ransomware infection. Our assessment was developed using renowned world frameworks developed by NIST, ISO, and CISA while combining it with PwC’s expertise and industry knowledge.

Assess your resilience against ransomware attacks

Want to get a taste of what our Ransomware Readiness Assessment would look like? Assess your resilience and preparedness against ransomware attacks by taking our 5-minute questionnaire. The assessment includes questions about data backup practices, employee training, security measures, and incident response planning. To take the assessment, click on the banner below. The results of the assessment can help you identify areas for improvement and take steps to strengthen your defences against ransomware attacks.

Discover if you are ready

Take a 5-minute preview of the Ransomware Readiness Assessment

Take the free test

The present "Ransomware Readiness Assessment" does not convey any opinion or statement from PwC towards the fulfilment of any legal or regulatory requirement by any organisation. This assessment is purely illustrative and in no situation may replace a fundated opinion, assessment or audit conducted by PwC.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that kidnaps your data and demands payment, usually in cryptocurrency, in exchange for your data. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common in recent years, targeting individuals, businesses, and government organisations.

Similarly, in recent years another strain of malware dubbed as “wiper malware” or “wiperware” has been observed in the wild. This form of malware is generally delivered to the victim through the same threat vectors as ransomware, however, instead of seizing data, wiperware permanently deletes it. These types of attacks can have devastating consequences, potentially paralysing the business for weeks or months.

It is essential that you prepare to fight against the threat of ransomware, not only by identifying weaknesses and implementing protective measures, but also by preparing for the worst. This means investing into detection, response, and recovery capabilities that ensure your operational resilience in the event of a successful ransomware infection.

The importance of being prepared for a ransomware attack

Being prepared for a ransomware attack is essential to minimise the overall damage and quickly restore business operations. Preparing for a ransomware attack involves several key steps, including:

Backing up data

Regularly backing up data is one of the most effective ways to protect against ransomware. Backups should be performed frequently and stored in a secure location that is not connected to the internet or the network.

Educating employees

Ransomware attacks often occur through phishing emails or other social engineering tactics. Educating employees on how to recognise and avoid these types of attacks is crucial.

Implementing detection capabilities

Implementing next-generation security measures such as threat detection and response solutions will enhance your abilities to detect a ransomware infection in its early stages.

Developing incident response and business continuity plans

Tried and tested incident response and business continuity plans are a must for an organisation to respond effectively to a ransomware attack, as well as to start recovering affected services should the infection spread quickly throughout the network.

How Can We Help

Our Cyber Security & Privacy team is made up of a pool of resources with local and international experience in a wide array of cyber security domains that are key in the fight against ransomware attacks. We can help you with:

Revamping your cyber resilience strategy
Execute a ransomware tabletop simulation
Coaching you on how to hunt ransomware
Conduct red team exercises
Readiness gaps and recommendations reporting

Revamping your cyber resilience strategy

Enhance your readiness to withstand ransomware attacks with proven industry frameworks and with the help of industry professionals with vast experience

Execute a ransomware tabletop simulation

We will help you design and conduct a ransomware tabletop simulation to assess your readiness regarding incident management processes, tools and capabilities.

Coaching you on how to hunt ransomware

You will be able to regularly survey for indicators of attack and compromise (IoC) of data being exfiltrated, lateral movement, unauthorised access, malicious code being executed, among others.

Conduct red team exercises

Our offensive security specialists will attempt to bypass your cyber controls mimicking tactics and techniques usually deployed during ransomware-based cyber attacks.

Readiness gaps and recommendations reporting

Our experts will brief you on the whole ransomware threat and provide more extensive training and coaching sessions for all staff, IT, compliance, or even the Board of Directors.