# Ransomware Gangs Target SMBs with Double Extortion
## Why this is trending for small and midsize businesses
Ransomware attackers are changing tactics, and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are in the crosshairs. Now, gangs do not just encrypt files; they also steal data and threaten to leak it if you do not pay.
## Introduction
Ransomware attacks against SMBs now frequently involve data theft and threats to expose sensitive information, not just file encryption. These “double extortion” tactics often disrupt business operations and lead to costly ransoms that many SMBs are ill-prepared to handle.
Because of this, SMBs must view ransomware as both a business continuity threat and a data exposure risk. Simultaneously, they should update security strategies, test response plans, and collaborate closely with their IT partners to mitigate impact.
## Why It Matters Now
Double extortion is on the rise because attackers want more leverage, and SMBs often have fewer defenses. Consequently, they are easier targets and more likely to pay quickly to avoid downtime and public exposure.
This trend is serious for SMBs, as it blends operational disruption with data and regulatory risks. When attackers steal sensitive information and threaten to publish it, the conversation shifts from “can we restore our files?” to “what happens if our client and employee data goes public?” Consequently, SMB executives must treat ransomware as a board-level risk, not just an IT issue.
The threat is also evolving quickly. Therefore, decision-makers need to stay informed through credible cybersecurity sources such as SentinelOne (see: https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/new-ransomware-tactics-double-extortion-small-business/). Even if your business has not yet been targeted, attackers are actively refining techniques that focus on organizations of your size and industry.
## Business Risks of Ignoring This Issue
Double extortion raises the stakes for SMBs beyond simple downtime. When data is stolen and used as leverage, every hour without a plan increases the cost and complexity of recovery.
If your organization ignores this issue, you face several interconnected risks that can compound quickly:
1. **Extended operational disruption** – Not only are your systems encrypted, but you may also be forced to halt operations while you assess what data was stolen and what you must report.
2. **Higher ransom pressure** – Because criminals hold both your encrypted systems and your stolen data, they exert dual pressure to make you pay.
3. **Regulatory and legal exposure** – If sensitive data is accessed or leaked, you may face scrutiny from regulators and potential legal action, particularly if you cannot demonstrate that you took reasonable security measures.
4. **Reputation damage and client churn** – When customers learn their data may have been exposed, trust erodes quickly, and competitors can swoop in.
5. **Increased future targeting** – If your business is perceived as an easy mark, attackers may return or share that information with other groups.
Given these risks, it is insufficient to simply hope backups will save you. Instead, you need a layered approach that involves robust backup and disaster recovery, up-to-date endpoint security, zero-trust access models, and clearly defined response playbooks that you have already tested.
## How Cytranet Is Solving This for Clients
Double extortion attacks demand both preparation and practice. Cytranet assists SMBs in designing and testing realistic protections and responses so that you are not making critical decisions for the first time during a crisis.
First, Cytranet emphasizes robust backup and disaster recovery. While attackers may steal data, reliable and well-structured backups are essential for restoring business operations after an incident. This means working with you to ensure backups are frequent, protected, and tailored to your operational needs, enabling a quicker return to work.
Next, Cytranet collaborates with clients to deploy and maintain up-to-date endpoint security. Since ransomware often begins on endpoints, such as laptops and workstations, ensuring endpoint protection is current is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chances of a successful attack. Ongoing updates and tuning are as crucial as the initial deployment.
Cytranet also helps SMBs transition to zero-trust access models. Under zero trust, access is not assumed; it is verified and limited. This approach can hinder attackers’ ability to navigate your environment should they gain access. By limiting who can access what, when, you create an additional layer of security against ransomware gangs seeking to steal your most sensitive data.
Beyond technical controls, Cytranet supports clients in developing response playbooks tailored to their specific business needs. These playbooks outline roles, decision paths, and communication steps for a ransomware event, including double extortion scenarios. As a result, leadership and IT teams know their responsibilities and options when faced with payment demands from attackers.
Lastly, Cytranet conducts tabletop exercises with clients to simulate attacks and walk through response strategies. These exercises frame decision-making, reveal gaps, and foster muscle memory. When a real incident occurs, your team will be better prepared to respond calmly and effectively, instead of reacting under pressure for the first time.
Through this collaborative work, Cytranet maintains focus on the heightened risks and regulatory implications that ransomware poses for SMBs. This involves contemplating how an incident may affect your industry obligations, contracts, and stakeholder expectations, while recognizing that specific regulatory details may vary.
For more insight into evolving tactics, Cytranet also monitors industry sources such as SentinelOne and their guidance on new ransomware approaches, including double extortion: https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/new-ransomware-tactics-double-extortion-small-business/.
## Questions SMB Leaders Should Ask Their MSP
Engage with your current or prospective managed service provider (MSP) using these questions. Copy, paste, and discuss them in your next meeting:
1. Do we have robust backup and disaster recovery systems designed to handle a ransomware event, including double extortion?
2. How are you ensuring our endpoint security is current and capable of countering modern ransomware tactics?
3. What steps have you taken to transition our environment toward a zero-trust access model, and where are the gaps?
4. Do we have a documented ransomware response playbook, and who on our team is informed about their role?
5. How frequently do you conduct tabletop exercises to test our response to ransomware and data theft scenarios?
6. How are you helping us understand and prepare for the regulatory implications if our sensitive data is stolen or exposed?
These questions are intended to shift the conversation from “Are we protected?” to “How will we respond and recover when—not if—someone targets us?”
## Take the Next Step
Double extortion ransomware is now a real and growing threat for SMBs, combining operational disruption with data exposure and regulatory concerns. However, with the right mix of backup and disaster recovery, endpoint security, zero-trust access, and tested response playbooks, you can significantly enhance your resilience.
Contact Cytranet today to review your current protections, plan tabletop exercises, and build a comprehensive ransomware response strategy that aligns with your business and risk profile.
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