When rival cybercriminal groups begin targeting each other, it can create the illusion that someone is holding bad actors accountable.
Threats are exchanged. Sensitive information is leaked. Some groups even claim they can help organizations recover from attacks carried out by their competitors.
At first glance, this may seem like an unexpected opportunity for businesses caught in the middle of a ransomware incident.
It isn't.
The reality is that cybercriminal organizations operate with one objective: advancing their own interests. Whether they are attacking businesses, negotiating ransom demands, or competing with other criminal groups, their motivations remain the same: control, leverage, and financial gain.
The Risk of Trusting a Criminal Organization
Recent reports have highlighted conflicts between ransomware groups, including claims that one group would expose another's members, leak operational information, and even assist victims in recovering encrypted data.
For organizations facing a ransomware attack, these types of promises can be tempting. When critical systems are unavailable and business operations are disrupted, any potential solution may appear worth considering.
However, these offers introduce a significant risk.
There is no reason to assume a criminal organization will honor its commitments, provide accurate information, or deliver on its promises. Even if a group claims it can restore access to encrypted data, there is often no way to verify those claims until after a business has already exposed itself to additional risk.
In other words, relying on one cybercriminal group to protect you from another is not a security strategy.
The Importance of Preparation
Cyber incidents place organizations under intense pressure. During those moments, leaders are often forced to make difficult decisions quickly, with incomplete information.
That is why preparation matters far more than reaction.
Organizations that recover most effectively from cyberattacks typically have several foundational protections in place:
- Secure, tested backups that can be restored when needed
- Continuous monitoring to identify suspicious activity early
- Strong endpoint and network security controls
- Clearly documented incident response procedures
- Access to trusted cybersecurity and IT professionals who can provide guidance during a crisis
These measures help reduce uncertainty and give businesses options when facing a security event.
Your Best Defense Is a Trusted Plan
One of the most important lessons from these conflicts within the cybercriminal ecosystem is that businesses should never find themselves choosing which criminal actor to trust.
When an attack occurs, the focus should be on executing a well-prepared response plan, restoring operations safely, and working with trusted security professionals who have your organization's best interests in mind.
Cybercriminals may compete with one another. They may make promises. They may even claim to offer help.
But their priorities have not changed.
The only reliable strategy is building resilience before an attack occurs.
Is Your Organization Prepared?
If you're unsure how your business would respond to a ransomware attack or other cybersecurity incident, now is the time to evaluate your readiness. Assessing your backup strategy, security controls, and incident response plan before a crisis occurs can significantly reduce risk and improve recovery outcomes.
At Inland Productivity Solutions, we help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture, prepare for incidents, and build practical strategies for business continuity.
The best time to prepare for a cyberattack is before one happens.
