Cybercriminals Are Levelling Up Extortion Methods: How To Keep Your Business Safe from RaaS

Cybersecurity experts are warning industry leaders to be extra vigilant as Ransomware-as-a-Service solutions are now being offered on the dark web. This type of software takes cybercrime to the next level as it allows aspiring hackers to take part in online extortion schemes even without coding knowledge. Some RaaS variants are even worse than typical ransomware software as these can automatically erase data, making them impossible to recover even after the ransom has been paid. 

Back in December 2024, an RaaS operation by a group called Anubis was responsible for wiping out stolen data from healthcare, hospitality, and construction sectors across regions in Canada, Peru, Australia, and the US. The file wiping feature adds pressure on the victims and makes a serious attack more damaging, so small businesses shouldn’t underestimate the effects of this cybercrime model, which seems to have gained many users over the past months. To protect your company and reputation, here’s how to keep your business safe from Ransomware-as-a-Service attacks.

Be Familiar with RaaS Entry Points

Business owners should take RaaS seriously as even those with minimal IT skills can launch a sophisticated cyber attack using off-the-shelf solutions. This means that anyone can orchestrate this type of cybercrime, so we can expect RaaS attacks to become more frequent in the coming days. Since your employees are your first line of defense against cyber attacks, you will need to prioritize effective security awareness training to prevent costly data breaches and promote a security-conscious culture. 

One thing that all business leaders and their staff need to know is that despite the advanced nature of RaaS, hackers still use tried-and-tested entry points to plant this software into data systems. Remote access tools like cloud storage systems and VPNs are frequent targets, as well as outdated software and weak passwords. Reinforce these entry points by enabling security controls on all remote access tools, encouraging employees to use strong and unique passwords, and updating all software that are missing crucial patches. 

Make Regular Backups

Making backups is one of the most effective ways to mitigate a ransomware attack since it allows you to restore your data even after a RaaS breach wipes all of it out. A strong backup system also allows you to bring back sensitive files and systems without having to pay the ransom, and it minimizes downtime which can enhance customer satisfaction and improve your business’s productivity. When making backups, plan on creating at least three copies of your data, and store two copies in devices that are not permanently connected to your system. As an added precaution, consider storing one copy offsite to keep it safe and protect it from unauthorized access.

Prepare for Insider Threats

Cybercriminals who want to ensure a fast and successful RaaS attack often skip through the whole process of breaching a business’s data system, which can take weeks or even months. Instead, they work directly with an onsite employee, promising them millions of dollars as a reward for their cooperation or telling them that they won’t ever have to work again once they get login access to all their systems. These RaaS groups also tend to target employees who are dissatisfied with the company that they work for, so you need to prevent potential insider threats while focusing on perimeter breaches at the same time. 

To mitigate insider risk, plan on integrating zero-trust solutions into your systems, such as an anti data exfiltration software. This prevents users from taking sensitive data off the system by monitoring outgoing traffic and blocking suspicious activity in real time. You should also enhance company culture by promoting open communication and treating each employee equally and fairly. Doing so can help to build loyalty, which makes them less likely to collude with cybercriminals. 

Ransomware-as-a-Service attacks pose real threats to every business across all industries, so be proactive to keep your company safe from this type of cyber threat. Teach employees to form good cybersecurity habits, make backups of all data, and prevent insider jobs to keep data safe from seasoned and aspiring cybercriminals.