Ransomware: „Der schlimmste Fehler ist ein CEO, der fragt: Wie zahle ich?“
Cyber-Attacken legen ganze Produktionen lahm und treffen zunehmend auch den Mittelstand. Zwei Experten erklären, wie Firmen mit Erpressern verhandeln sollten – und sich besser schützen können.
Zug, ransomware, or extortion software, is increasingly recognized as one of the biggest business risks – not only for large corporations but for German small and medium-sized enterprises as well. According to the Federal Interior Ministry, there were 1,041 ransomware attacks reported in 2025, a 10% increase from the previous year.
During a ransomware attack, criminals encrypt entire IT systems and demand ransom money, typically in the form of Bitcoin and often accompanied by the threat to release previously stolen data if the ransom is not paid. But how can companies defend themselves against such attacks? How can they regain control in this situation? And which mistakes are particularly costly in the first hours?
Krisis negotiators Michael Sjøberg, formerly specialized in hostage situations for the Danish military, and Peter Skovbo, who leads the Swiss consulting firm Delta Crisis founded by Sjøberg, discuss these questions in an interview. Mr. Sjøberg, what typically goes wrong when a company calls you during a cyber attack?
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