News Insights: The Weather Channel knocked off air by ‘malicious software attack’

Unlike most of ransomware victims, the Weather Channel was prepared to deal with the outbreak. The reason the show was back on the air so quickly was that there was a proper backup system in place including having the entire computer systems ready to bring online when the ransomware struck.

According to Andrew Douthwaite, Chief Technology Officer at VirtualArmour, “Many companies fail in having a system in place that will completely wipe an infected system, restore damaged files, and be up and running again with minimal interruption.”

Douthwaite adds: “Whether you know you are being targeted, think you will be targeted by a specific region or group or are protecting your systems anyway the approach is still the same.  A cohesive, multi-layered security strategy will help prevent, detect and control a malware attack. Having the right people, tools, technology and information should all be part of this strategy which would also include regular “test” or table top exercises to ensure complacency and execution of a strategy have made it to the procedural level.