Why Ransomware Is the New Tornado for Illinois Businesses (and How to Prepare)

Tornadoes in Chicago are rare. Ransomware isn’t. Both cause sudden disruption, but only one hits Chicago SMBs every single week. Preparation—not panic—decides recovery time.

We all dread seeing this on the screen. Lets avoid it!

Your ransomware readiness kit

1. 3-2-1 Backups – Three copies, two media types, one offsite/offline. Test restores.

2. Least-Privilege Access – Limit who can access what; reduce blast radius.

3. Tabletop Exercises – Walk through “it happened” scenarios with ops, finance, and leadership.
   

Bigger picture

Insurance helps with costs, not customers. Fast recovery protects revenue and reputation.

According to Cisco’s 2024 Security Report, companies hit by ransomware often pay more in downtime and recovery costs than in the ransom itself.¹

Your takeaway

Schedule a 45‑minute tabletop this month. Define who calls whom, which systems restore first, and how you’ll communicate with clients.

Need help building your readiness? Check out our Cybersecurity & Data Backup Services for a ready-made plan and support. Want more? down load this helpful eBook -> Click here to download

¹ https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/security-reports.html