The Cost of Ransomware – Why Resilience is a Must for Businesses

Ransomware has rapidly evolved from a nuisance threat into one of the most damaging and costly forms of cybercrime affecting Australian businesses today. In 2024 alone, the cost of cybercrime in Australia exceeded $3 billion, with ransomware attacks accounting for a significant share of that figure. For organisations of all sizes, the message is clear: ransomware is no longer a matter of “if” but “when”. Building resilience against this threat is no longer optional – it’s absolutely crucial.

The Growing Cost of Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software designed to block access to systems or data until a ransom is paid. While the ransom itself can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, the ransomware recovery costs go far beyond the payment alone.

The cost of data breach incidents caused by ransomware includes system downtime, lost productivity, customer churn, legal fees, and reputational damage. For small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a single attack can threaten the very survival of the business. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the average ransomware damage costs have skyrocketed, with some businesses facing weeks of operational disruption and total losses in the millions. Recovery isn’t just expensive – it’s complex, slow, and often incomplete.

The headlines speak for themselves. Recent ransomware attacks in Australia have impacted hospitals, logistics companies, law firms, and educational institutions. These incidents reveal the far-reaching implications of poor cyber hygiene and limited resilience planning. In some cases, sensitive customer data has been exposed, leading to regulatory scrutiny and public backlash.

Beyond immediate financial loss, ransomware affects brand reputation and customer trust. For organisations handling sensitive information (think financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies), a successful ransomware attack can severely undermine confidence. On top of this, non-compliance with data protection regulations following an attack can incur additional penalties. As awareness grows around the cost of cybercrime in Australia, regulatory bodies are tightening expectations. Simply reacting to incidents is no longer enough – businesses must demonstrate that they know how to be cyber safe and can prevent, detect, and respond to threats.

Why Resilience Matters

Cyber resilience refers to an organisation’s ability to anticipate, withstand, and recover from cyberattacks… particularly ransomware. A resilient business not only reduces the likelihood of a successful breach but also ensures rapid recovery and minimal damage when incidents occur. Building resilience involves far more than deploying antivirus software or taking daily backups. It requires a holistic, strategic approach to cyber security – one that integrates proactive testing, policy frameworks, monitoring, and response.

How Infotrust Helps Build Ransomware Resilience

At Infotrust, we understand that every organisation’s risk profile is unique. That’s why we take a tailored approach to building ransomware resilience. Our services cover every stage of the cyber security lifecycle – from prevention and compliance to detection and response – offering clients true peace of mind in a constantly evolving threat landscape.

• Assurance – Testing Your Defences: Knowing where your vulnerabilities lie is the first step toward resilience. Our Assurance services – including penetration testing and red teaming – simulate real-world cyberattacks to uncover weaknesses before adversaries do. This helps ensure your security posture is continuously strengthened and aligned with the latest threat intelligence. Through these assessments, businesses gain invaluable insights into their current preparedness and can prioritise remediation efforts based on real risk.
• GRC – Governance, Risk & Compliance: Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about embedding security into the DNA of your business. Infotrust’s GRC services help organisations implement and maintain security frameworks such as ISO 27001, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and the Essential Eight. By aligning with these recognised standards, your organisation becomes more resilient against attacks and better equipped to meet legal and regulatory obligations. Strong governance and policies also reduce the cost of data breach incidents by ensuring consistent processes are in place across the business.
• Managed SOC – Always-On Protection: Our Australian-based Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) provides 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and rapid response. With visibility across your entire digital environment, our expert analysts can detect suspicious behaviour early and contain threats before they escalate. The value of Managed SOC lies in its ability to reduce ransomware damage costs by eliminating dwell time – the period attackers remain undetected in your network. Fast detection means faster containment, fewer systems affected, and lower overall recovery costs.
• Incident Response – Be Ready for the Worst: Even the best defences can be breached; that’s why our Incident Response (IR) team is ready to assist businesses when they need it most. From initial containment to full recovery, we guide clients through every step of the process. Our digital forensics capability helps uncover the source and method of attack, ensuring lessons are learned and future threats are mitigated. With a proven playbook and expert-led support, our IR services help reduce ransomware recovery costs and limit the long-term impact of an incident.

Why Choose Infotrust?

As a finalist for SOC Provider of the Year at the 2025 Australian Cyber Awards, Infotrust is recognised as one of Australia’s premier cyber security service providers. With over 140 cyber security professionals and a 24/7 Australian-based SOC, we offer the expertise, responsiveness, and strategic foresight needed to keep your organisation secure. We don’t just respond to threats – we help you anticipate and prepare for them. Our proactive, end-to-end approach to cyber security is what sets us apart.

Infotrust is here to help you strengthen your defences, reduce your risk exposure, and recover quickly and effectively if the worst happens. Whether it’s understanding your vulnerabilities, aligning with regulatory standards, monitoring your environment 24/7, or responding to incidents with speed and precision – we offer the full spectrum of services you need to stay secure.

Don’t wait for a crisis to act

Let Infotrust help you take control of your cyber security future – today.

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