No blinking screens. No dramatic encryption message.
Just a quiet change — a new wallpaper or a strange text file on the desktop.
That was the start of our ransomware readiness simulation.
Low impact by design. High impact in insight.
The Setup: Simulating Compromise Without Risk
In a controlled Red Team exercise, we did not touch production systems or cause any disruption.
Instead, we used subtle cues like a modified desktop wallpaper or a planted file to mimic early-stage compromise.
The goal was not to cripple operations.
It was to test how quickly and effectively people noticed and responded.
Would users report it?
Would the SOC detect it?
Would leadership know what to do next?
Real Lessons From Real-World Attacks
We have supported clients during actual ransomware incidents and the contrast is sharp.
One company had offline backups in place. But no one realized legal contracts were not included.
That resulted in a compliance issue and regulatory pressure.
Another was losing €300,000 per week in downtime.
With no backups and no options, they had to scramble to legally purchase €1 million in Bitcoin just to get their factory running again.
The Real Test: How You Respond When Everything Is Uncertain
Ransomware is not just a technical issue.
It is a legal, operational, and reputational crisis rolled into one.
Many companies do not even have a plan for secure communication if email and chat are compromised.
5 First Steps When Ransomware Hits
- Isolate impacted systems quickly
- Switch to secure, out-of-band communication
- Involve legal and regulatory teams early
- Validate backups before restoring
- Notify relevant authorities where required
Cyber resilience is not about having perfect defenses.
It is about knowing what to do when your defenses are breached.
How well does your team handle the quiet signs of chaos?
