Imagine arriving at work to find all your files inaccessible—not just missing, but encrypted and held hostage by cybercriminals demanding a ransom for their release.
Unfortunately, this scenario is becoming increasingly common.
In the first quarter of 2025, ransomware attacks surged by 84% compared to the same period last year. It’s no longer a question of if your organization might be targeted, but when.
Recent data shows that two-thirds of businesses have experienced a ransomware attack in the past two years. The question every organization should be asking is: Are we prepared?
The good news is that there is a highly effective safeguard: immutable backup storage.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a form of cyberattack where malicious actors gain access to your systems, encrypt your data, and demand payment to restore access. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated—and they now target not only operational data but also your backups.
In fact, 96% of organizations affected by ransomware in the past two years reported that their backups were also compromised.
Why Immutable Backup Storage Matters
“Immutable” means unchangeable. With immutable storage, once backup data is written, it cannot be altered or deleted—even by someone with administrative privileges.
This ensures that even if attackers breach your systems, they cannot tamper with your backups. Think of it as placing your critical data in a secure vault—accessible when needed, but protected from unauthorized changes.
Historically, this level of protection was achieved through “air-gapped” storage—physically disconnected devices. Today, modern cloud-based solutions offer the same resilience without the complexity or hardware overhead.
So Why Isn’t Everyone Using It?
Despite 81% of IT professionals identifying immutable storage as the best defense against ransomware, only 59% of businesses have implemented it.
That gap is concerning.
Firewalls, endpoint protection, and access controls are essential—but they’re not infallible. When prevention fails, your backups become your last line of defense. And they must be untouchable.
This is where a “breach mentality” becomes critical: assume an attack will happen, and prepare for recovery—not just prevention.
The Bottom Line
Investing in immutable backup storage is one of the smartest moves an organization can make. When the worst happens, the ability to restore your data—without paying a ransom—can mean the difference between a temporary disruption and a catastrophic loss.
If you’d like guidance on implementing immutable storage or reviewing your backup strategy, my team and I are here to help. Let’s make sure your business is ready.
