The attackers would figure which systems are most critical, then find and compromise the company’s backed-up data.
“That’s when they start hitting all of your systems and taking them down,” Hocut said.
“When you’re at your least ability to respond.
“That’s the nightmare, and that’s what we have to keep from happening.”
Ransomware really is nightmare stuff.
At Brooks, the entire incident response team will be on call 24/7 over the holiday weekend.
The company also recently hired the cybersecurity company Illumio to help shore up its defenses.
The idea isn’t a new one.
But segmenting massive computer systems is easier said than done, Kirner said.
That’s particularly true for Brooks, Hocut said.
The century-old brand, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has seen significant growth in recent years.
The threats companies face have also changed, Kirner said.
“You got the customer list, you got emails, you got credit cards.
They were about a breach of confidentiality.”
Ransomware, in comparison, is about a company’s operations.
“Why are we talking about retail now?
Other IT professionals may not be so lucky.
