Press Coverage — Cybersecurity Alert

Ransomware Attacks Are on the Rise, Cybersecurity Experts Say

Ransomware has evolved from a nuisance targeting individual computers into a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise that threatens businesses of every size across every industry. Petronella Technology Group founder Craig Petronella joins cybersecurity experts nationwide in sounding the alarm about escalating ransomware threats facing organizations in the Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle Park, and greater North Carolina region. Here is what every business owner needs to know about the rising ransomware epidemic and how to protect their organization before it becomes the next victim.

Ransomware Cybersecurity Expert Commentary Business Protection
The Growing Threat

Ransomware Has Become the Number One Cyber Threat to Triangle Businesses

Ransomware attacks have surged dramatically in recent years, transforming from isolated incidents into an organized criminal industry that generates billions of dollars annually for threat actors operating from locations around the globe. Small and mid-sized businesses in the Raleigh-Durham area and across North Carolina are particularly vulnerable targets because they often lack the sophisticated security infrastructure of large enterprises while still possessing valuable data that criminals can hold hostage for substantial ransom payments.

The modern ransomware landscape bears little resemblance to the early days of simple encryption malware. Today's ransomware operators run professional criminal enterprises complete with customer service departments, affiliate programs, and sophisticated negotiation tactics. They conduct extensive reconnaissance on their targets before striking, identifying the most valuable data and the maximum ransom a victim is likely to pay. Many groups now employ double extortion techniques, not only encrypting data but also exfiltrating sensitive information and threatening to publish it publicly if the ransom is not paid. This evolution has made ransomware attacks exponentially more damaging and more difficult for unprepared businesses to recover from without assistance.

For businesses in the Research Triangle area, the threat is particularly acute. The region's concentration of healthcare organizations, technology companies, law firms, financial services providers, and government contractors makes it an attractive hunting ground for ransomware operators seeking high-value targets with sensitive regulated data. A single successful ransomware attack can result in weeks of operational downtime, hundreds of thousands of dollars in recovery costs, regulatory penalties, legal liability, reputational damage, and in the worst cases, permanent business closure.

Expert Guidance From PTG

Craig Petronella's Approach to Ransomware Defense

In media coverage of the rising ransomware threat, Petronella Technology Group founder Craig Petronella emphasized that ransomware defense is not about purchasing a single product or implementing a single technology. It requires a comprehensive, multi-layered security strategy that addresses the human, technical, and procedural elements of cybersecurity simultaneously. Organizations that rely solely on antivirus software or firewalls are leaving massive gaps in their defenses that sophisticated ransomware operators will inevitably exploit.

PTG's approach to ransomware protection begins with the understanding that prevention is always preferable to recovery, but that recovery planning is essential because no defensive strategy is infallible. Craig explained to media outlets that the most effective ransomware defense strategies incorporate multiple layers of protection working together. These layers include advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that can identify and contain ransomware before it spreads across a network, email security systems that filter out the phishing messages that serve as the primary delivery mechanism for ransomware payloads, network segmentation that limits the blast radius of any successful intrusion, and comprehensive employee security awareness training that transforms staff members from vulnerabilities into human firewalls.

Equally critical to prevention, Craig emphasized, is the preparation for recovery. PTG insists that every managed services client maintain tested, immutable backups that cannot be encrypted or deleted by ransomware operators who gain access to the network. These backup systems must be air-gapped or otherwise isolated from the production environment, regularly tested to ensure they produce viable recovery images, and maintained with recovery time objectives that align with the business's tolerance for downtime. PTG has helped businesses throughout the Raleigh, Durham, and Research Triangle Park area implement backup strategies that render ransomware attacks a temporary inconvenience rather than an existential crisis.

Craig Petronella also addressed the controversial question of whether businesses should pay ransoms when attacked. His advice was unequivocal and direct: organizations should never plan on paying a ransom as their primary recovery strategy. Paying ransoms funds criminal operations, provides no guarantee that data will be fully restored, and may expose the organization to additional legal liability if the ransomware group is a sanctioned entity. Instead, businesses should invest the money they might spend on a ransom payment into building resilient infrastructure that eliminates the need to consider payment in the first place. PTG's strong security track record for clients on our managed program over 22 years demonstrates that this proactive approach is not only ethically superior but also more cost-effective in the long term for businesses across North Carolina.

Protection Strategies

Essential Ransomware Defenses Every Business Needs

Advanced Endpoint Detection and Response

Traditional antivirus software is no longer sufficient to detect and stop modern ransomware. PTG deploys next-generation endpoint detection and response (EDR) platforms that use behavioral analysis, machine learning, and real-time threat intelligence to identify ransomware attacks in their earliest stages, often stopping the encryption process before any files are affected. These solutions monitor every process running on every endpoint, looking for the telltale patterns of ransomware behavior such as rapid file enumeration, mass encryption operations, and attempts to delete shadow copies or disable backup services. When suspicious activity is detected, the EDR system can automatically isolate the affected endpoint from the network, preventing the ransomware from spreading to other systems.

Email Security and Phishing Prevention

The vast majority of ransomware attacks begin with a phishing email that tricks a user into clicking a malicious link or opening an infected attachment. PTG implements multi-layered email security solutions that filter incoming messages through advanced threat detection engines, sandboxing suspicious attachments, analyzing embedded URLs, and flagging messages that exhibit characteristics of social engineering attacks. Beyond technical controls, PTG conducts regular phishing simulation exercises that test employees' ability to recognize and report suspicious messages. These simulations identify individuals who need additional training and create a culture of security awareness that dramatically reduces the likelihood of a successful phishing attack reaching its intended target.

Immutable Backup Architecture

PTG designs backup architectures specifically to withstand ransomware attacks. This includes implementing immutable backup repositories that cannot be modified or deleted once data is written, regardless of the level of access an attacker gains to the network. Backup images are stored in multiple locations including local appliances, offsite data centers, and cloud storage with geographic diversity. Regular automated testing ensures that backup images produce viable recovery environments. The recovery point objective for most PTG clients is measured in hours rather than days, meaning that even in a worst-case ransomware scenario, data loss is limited to a few hours of work rather than days, weeks, or permanent loss of irreplaceable business information.

Network Segmentation and Zero Trust

One of the most devastating aspects of a ransomware attack is its ability to spread laterally across an entire network, encrypting every system it can reach. PTG implements network segmentation strategies that divide the network into isolated zones, each protected by its own set of access controls and security policies. This zero trust approach means that even if ransomware compromises one segment of the network, it cannot automatically spread to other segments containing critical data or backup systems. PTG configures micro-segmentation policies that restrict communication between systems to only the specific ports and protocols required for legitimate business operations, dramatically reducing the attack surface available to ransomware operators.

Security Awareness Training Programs

The human element remains the most exploited vulnerability in ransomware attacks. PTG provides comprehensive security awareness training programs that educate employees at every level of the organization about ransomware threats, social engineering tactics, safe computing practices, and incident reporting procedures. Training is delivered through a combination of live sessions, online modules, simulated attacks, and regular communication campaigns that keep security awareness top of mind throughout the year. PTG's training programs are customized for each client's industry, risk profile, and organizational culture, ensuring that the content is relevant, engaging, and effective at changing employee behavior in ways that genuinely reduce ransomware risk.

Incident Response Planning and Tabletop Exercises

PTG develops comprehensive ransomware incident response plans for every managed services client, documenting the exact steps to be taken when a ransomware attack is detected, who is responsible for each action, how communications should be handled internally and externally, and what legal and regulatory obligations must be met. These plans are validated through regular tabletop exercises where key stakeholders walk through simulated ransomware scenarios to test decision-making processes, communication channels, and recovery procedures under realistic conditions. Organizations that have practiced their response to a ransomware attack recover faster, make better decisions under pressure, and experience less operational disruption than those attempting to improvise during an actual crisis event.

The Ransomware Reality

Numbers That Demand Immediate Action

$4.5M+
Average Cost of a Ransomware Attack
22 days
Average Downtime After Attack
60%
SMBs Close Within 6 Months Post-Attack
0
PTG Client Breaches in 22+ Years

Ready to see what PTG can do for your business? Schedule a free consultation and join the businesses across the Triangle that trust us with their technology.

(919) 348-4912
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Why Petronella Technology Group

The Triangle's Most Trusted Ransomware Defense Partner

When ransomware represents the most significant cybersecurity threat facing modern businesses, choosing the right security partner is not merely an IT decision. It is a survival decision. Petronella Technology Group stands apart from other managed security providers in the Raleigh, Durham, and RTP region because our ransomware defense capabilities are built on more than two decades of real-world experience protecting businesses from every type of cyber threat imaginable. Our strong security track record for clients on our managed program across 22 years and more than 2,500 client engagements is not a marketing claim. It is a verifiable operational achievement that no other MSP in the Triangle region can match.

PTG's ransomware defense strategy reflects the same comprehensive, no-shortcuts philosophy that has made us the most trusted technology partner in the Research Triangle. We do not sell standalone products or one-size-fits-all solutions. We architect layered security environments tailored to each client's specific risk profile, regulatory requirements, and business objectives. Every recommendation is backed by evidence, tested in real-world conditions, and continuously refined based on the evolving threat landscape. When Craig Petronella tells media outlets that businesses need to take ransomware seriously, he is not selling fear. He is sharing the professional assessment of an expert who has spent a career protecting organizations from exactly the threats that make headlines today.

The difference between a business that survives a ransomware attack and one that does not comes down to preparation. PTG ensures that every client is prepared with layered defenses that prevent the vast majority of attacks from succeeding, and comprehensive recovery capabilities that minimize impact when an attack does get through. That combination of prevention and resilience is what makes PTG the partner of choice for businesses across the Triangle that refuse to leave their survival to chance Given escalating cyber threats and increasingly sophisticated criminal operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ransomware Protection FAQ

What exactly is ransomware and how does it work?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files and data on a victim's computer or network, rendering them completely inaccessible. The attackers then demand a ransom payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key needed to restore access to the data. Modern ransomware variants often also steal sensitive data before encrypting it, threatening to publish the stolen information publicly if the ransom is not paid. This double extortion technique increases pressure on victims and adds the risk of regulatory penalties and reputational damage to the already devastating impact of operational downtime.
How do ransomware attacks typically begin?
The most common entry point for ransomware is phishing emails that trick employees into clicking malicious links or opening infected file attachments. Other common attack vectors include exploitation of unpatched software vulnerabilities, compromised Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections, stolen credentials purchased on dark web marketplaces, and malicious advertisements on legitimate websites. PTG addresses all of these vectors through its multi-layered security approach, which includes email filtering, vulnerability management, access controls, and employee security awareness training.
Are small businesses in the Raleigh-Durham area really at risk?
Small and mid-sized businesses are actually at greater risk than large enterprises because they typically have fewer security resources and less sophisticated defenses. Ransomware operators increasingly target smaller organizations specifically because they are more likely to pay ransoms quickly and are less likely to have the security infrastructure needed to prevent or recover from attacks without payment. Businesses across the Triangle region, including those in Raleigh, Durham, RTP, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities, face the same ransomware threats as organizations anywhere in the world.
Should a business pay the ransom if attacked?
PTG strongly advises against planning to pay ransoms as a recovery strategy. Paying ransoms funds criminal organizations and encourages further attacks, provides no guarantee that data will be fully or properly restored, may violate federal sanctions regulations if the ransomware group is a designated entity, and does not address the underlying vulnerability that allowed the attack to succeed. Instead, businesses should invest in prevention and recovery capabilities that eliminate the need to consider ransom payment. PTG's managed services clients are protected by immutable backups that allow full system restoration without paying any ransom.
How long does it take to recover from a ransomware attack?
For organizations without proper backup and recovery infrastructure, the average ransomware recovery takes 22 days or more and can cost millions of dollars in downtime, lost revenue, and recovery expenses. PTG managed services clients, by contrast, can typically be restored to full operations within hours because of our immutable backup architecture and tested recovery procedures. The difference in recovery time between prepared and unprepared organizations often determines whether a business survives a ransomware attack or is forced to close permanently.
What compliance regulations relate to ransomware for NC businesses?
North Carolina businesses subject to HIPAA, PCI-DSS, CMMC, or other regulatory frameworks have specific obligations regarding ransomware prevention, detection, and response. A ransomware attack that exposes protected health information, for example, may trigger HIPAA breach notification requirements and potential penalties. The North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act also imposes notification obligations when personal information is compromised. PTG helps businesses understand and meet all applicable regulatory requirements related to ransomware and other cybersecurity threats.
How does PTG detect ransomware before it causes damage?
PTG deploys advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems that monitor every endpoint in real time for behavioral indicators of ransomware activity. These systems use machine learning and threat intelligence to identify ransomware attacks in their earliest stages, often before any files are encrypted. When a potential ransomware execution is detected, the system automatically isolates the affected device from the network, alerts PTG's Security Operations Center, and initiates incident response procedures. This automated detection and containment capability dramatically reduces the window of exposure and limits potential damage.
Can cyber insurance replace proper ransomware protection?
No. Cyber insurance is a valuable component of a comprehensive risk management strategy, but it cannot replace proper cybersecurity defenses. Insurance policies increasingly require organizations to demonstrate specific security controls before providing coverage, and claims may be denied if the organization failed to maintain reasonable security practices. Furthermore, insurance cannot restore lost data, repair damaged reputation, or recover client relationships lost during extended downtime. PTG recommends cyber insurance as a supplement to, not a substitute for, robust ransomware prevention and recovery capabilities.
How can I assess my organization's ransomware risk right now?
The best way to understand your organization's current ransomware risk is to schedule a comprehensive security assessment with PTG. During this assessment, PTG's cybersecurity experts will evaluate your network architecture, endpoint protection, email security, backup systems, access controls, employee awareness, and incident response readiness. The assessment identifies specific vulnerabilities and provides prioritized recommendations for improving your ransomware defense posture. Contact PTG at 919-348-4912 to schedule your assessment and take the first step toward protecting your business from the escalating ransomware threat.
What makes PTG different from other cybersecurity providers in the Triangle?
PTG's 22-plus year track record, zero-breach (for managed security clients) security record across more than 2,500 client engagements, and deep expertise across the full spectrum of cybersecurity disciplines set us apart from every other provider in the Raleigh, Durham, and Research Triangle region. Our founder Craig Petronella is a recognized cybersecurity expert regularly featured in media coverage, and our team maintains the certifications, experience, and operational discipline required to protect businesses from sophisticated ransomware threats. We do not just sell security products. We architect and manage comprehensive security environments that keep businesses safe.
Act Before Ransomware Strikes

Do Not Wait Until Your Business Becomes The Next Ransomware Headline

Petronella Technology Group has protected over 2,500 companies across Raleigh, Durham, RTP, and the greater Triangle region for more than 22 years with zero security breaches among clients following our security program. Schedule your complimentary ransomware readiness assessment today and discover how PTG can protect your business from the fastest-growing cyber threat in the world.