Ransomware, Regret, and a $96K Lesson: What SamSam Taught One Business About Cybersecurity
Backups. Remote access. Ransomware policies. These aren’t just IT buzzwords — they’re the difference between recovering from an attack or losing your business overnight.
This is a true account. No names, just the facts. If you’re looking for “cybersecurity services near me,” “endpoint protection,” or wondering whether you “cybersecurity insurance for business” will actually cover you — keep reading.
Strike 1: Bad Backups
A business we’ll call Company X got hit with SamSam ransomware, and their backup strategy was straight out of 2003.
- They used file-based backups, not image-based.
- The malware encrypted their live files and their backup files.
- No restore points. No safety net.
They had no choice but to pay the ransom.
Strike 2: Open RDP Access
To help a remote facility, a busy admin opened RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) access to all IP addresses — essentially putting a “Welcome Hackers” sign on their firewall.
- No endpoint detection
- No multifactor authentication
- No Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring
That’s how SamSam got in. Not through a genius — through a crack left wide open.
Strike 3: A Public Ransom Policy
The private equity firm backing Company X had a documented policy:
“If we get hit with ransomware, we pay.”
Guess who found out? The attackers. They asked for 6 Bitcoin (then worth $46,000).
Company X also paid a “recovery” firm $50,000 to decrypt and clean up the infection.
Total Cost: ~$96,000 + operational downtime.
The Real Fixes That Would Have Prevented All This
Let’s break it down with real-world security tools:
| Problem | Solution |
| Weak backups | Cloud-based, image-level backups |
| Open remote access | Secure VPN with MFA & endpoint protection |
| No early detection | SIEM and EDR for business |
| Human error risk | Phishing training, email security, web monitoring |
| No incident plan | Cybersecurity implementation + disaster recovery strategy |
| Over-reliance on insurance | Policy support + security operations alignment |
How HawkPoint Technologies Can Help
We’re not just an IT security provider — we’re a cybersecurity implementation partner. That means:
- Real-world cybersecurity support services
- Multifactor Authentication (MFA) with tools like Duo
- Dark Web Monitoring
- Business-ready cloud security solutions
- SIEM, SOC, and endpoint detection — made simple
- Cybersecurity insurance guidance that aligns with reality
Stop Hoping You’re Safe. Start Knowing You Are.
Ransomware like SamSam is a business model. Your defense should be too. If you’re looking for cybersecurity for your business, let’s talk.
Fill out our form to chat or call us directly at 920-882-8720.
Link to the full article, written by HawkPoint’s President/CEO here 👉 “Play It Again, SamSam”.
