Exploit: Ransomware
Ruhr University: Academic institution
Risk to Small Business: 1.652 = Severe
A ransomware attack forced the academic institution to take most of its IT infrastructure offline. Consequently, staff can’t access email or the VPN tunnel, which is required for accessing remote services. Now, the university is warning students not to open any email attachments and to limit the usage of Windows-based applications. This disruption is a significant inconvenience for students and staff who are already working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Individual Risk:At this time, no personal information was compromised in the breach. However, these events frequently result in data exfiltration. Students and staff should look for updates as the situation evolves.
Customers Impacted: Unknown
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: Ransomware attacks are always costly, but the implications are enhanced as many people work and learn remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak. Not only does ransomware come with costly recovery costs, but inaccessible networks can bring productivity to a veritable standstill, further exacerbating the crisis.