--- title: Secure Your Network Against Ransomware - BlackHawk Data description: BlackHawk Data’s thorough and pain-free Network and Security Optimization Assessment provides a holistic view into your entire infrastructure, and helps you secure your environment to catch zero-day threats before they become breaches. image: https://mk.blackhawk11.com/hubfs/bhd%20Featured%20Image%20(25).jpg --- [Skip to content](https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/secure-your-network-against-ransomware#main-content) # Secure Your Network Against Ransomware [Maryann Pagano](https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/author/maryann-pagano) Feb 18, 2020, 12:27:02 PM ![](https://mk.blackhawk11.com/hubfs/bhd%20Featured%20Image%20(25).jpg) In less than one year, there have been 3 ransomware attacks in New York’s Albany County, home to the state capital. In March 2019, the [city of Albany](https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Ransomware-attack-on-Albany-cost-300K-to-14473544.php) was the victim of a ransomware cyberattack that impacted the city’s police department systems. Though they didn’t pay the ransom, the attack cost them $300,000—upgraded security, firewall insurance and other system improvements—that they had to absorb **unexpectedly.** On Christmas Day of that year, the [Albany County Airport Authority](https://www.crn.com/news/security/albany-airport-pays-ransom-after-its-msp-was-hit-by-ransomware) (ACAA) fell victim to another ransomware attack and just 3 weeks later the town of [Colonie](https://www.news10.com/news/local-news/cyber-attack-takes-down-town-of-colonie-computer-system/) was also threatened. ACAA agreed to pay the 6-figure ransom, and Colonie, like the city of Albany, was able to avoid paying the ransom, however, they are still picking up the pieces. > Ransomware attacks targeting municipal institutions were [up 60%](https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-research/municipality-ransomware-attacks-2019/) in 2019, and at least 966 government agencies, educational establishments and healthcare providers fell victim to ransomware in that same year. No matter the [size of the organization](https://www.blackhawk11.com/solutions/security/), ransomware can strike anyone at any time.   ### **Why Ransomware?** - It’s where the money is. People often choose to pay the ransom, and with the uptick in cyber insurance, cybercriminals are able to maximize their profits. The prevalence of attacks has made ransomware the second leading cause of insurance claims. - Criminals don’t like to work too hard, meaning they are looking for the most reward with the least effort. Local governments and manufacturing are leading targets due to their shallow security measures. - Some cybercriminals do get a bit more creative in their attacks, making them even more lethal. Petya ransomware used DOS-level encryption in its attacks 4 years ago - Patience pays off as ransomware can lie dormant on a network setting itself up to cause as much damage as possible before triggering the attack. ### **Your Prevention Plan** **It’s Starts With Your Network** If your network isn’t designed optimally, it can be harder to defend. [Getting a network assessment](https://www.blackhawk11.com/solutions/security/) helps you identify opportunities for improvement. **Strategic Defense** An effective [defense strategy](https://www.blackhawk11.com/security) should include intercepting phishing emails, preventing your network from connecting to malicious sites, and covering all your endpoints. **Nimble Response** An incidence response plan will help you quickly and effectively react to an attack, minimizing the chaos and damage. **Optimal Readiness** If you don’t do regular upkeep with [security upgrades and patches](https://www.blackhawk11.com/managed-services), you might as well just hand your network over to hackers. **Employee Awareness** Providing your staff with security awareness training will help them understand their role in stopping malicious attacks.   ### **BlackHawk Data Is Your Safety Net** BlackHawk Data’s thorough and pain-free [Network and Security Optimization Assessment](https://www.blackhawk11.com/solutions/security/)provides a holistic view into your entire infrastructure, and helps you secure your environment to catch zero-day threats before they become breaches. We can also provide you with managed security services taking the burden off your plate with event monitoring and incident management, analyzing, classifying and mitigating security incidents quickly and providing you with detailed monthly reporting.   ### Find out what BlackHawk Data can do for you.   [Contact us](https://www.blackhawk11.com/company/contact-us/)   ## Related Posts ### [Feb 4, 2020, 12:26:44 PM BlackHawk Data’s Top Ten Cybersecurity Trends Shaping 2020](https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/blackhawk-data-s-top-ten-security-trends-for-2020) ### [Nov 23, 2020, 4:33:26 PM Shopping Online for Cybersecurity Products](https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/how-to-shop-online-for-cyber-security-products) ### [Jul 2, 2019, 1:26:20 PM Protecting New Yorkers with the SHIELD Act](https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/a-shield-to-protect-new-yorkers) ## Get in touch with us today. Let us help you reach your goals [![Let's Talk](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7433618/a67abbfc-0b4a-4c73-ba6a-ee333ba74e75.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7433618/a67abbfc-0b4a-4c73-ba6a-ee333ba74e75) [![More Info](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7433618/8100a20e-1dea-4464-bfc2-be297669c4b1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7433618/8100a20e-1dea-4464-bfc2-be297669c4b1) - About Us - sales@blackhawk11.com - 877.456.4295 - [blackhawk11.com](https://www.blackhawk11.com/) - BlackHawk Data Headquarters - 505 8th Avenue - Suite 303 - New York, NY 10018 - BlackHawk Data NJ Office - 53 Green Pond Road - Suite 4A - Rockaway, NJ 07866 © 2026 by BlackHawkData, LLC ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Maryann Pagano", "url" : "https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/author/maryann-pagano" }, "dateModified" : "2023-01-12T20:10:17.433Z", "datePublished" : "2020-02-18T17:27:02.000Z", "headline" : "Secure Your Network Against Ransomware - BlackHawk Data", "image" : [ "https://mk.blackhawk11.com/hubfs/bhd%20Featured%20Image%20(25).jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://mk.blackhawk11.com/blog/secure-your-network-against-ransomware", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://mk.blackhawk11.com/hubfs/new%20blue%20bhd%20horizontal%20black%20blue-2.png" }, "name" : "BlackHawk Data LLC" } } ```