{
  "id": 210897,
  "title": "Ransomware: \"The worst mistake is a CEO who asks: How do I pay?\"",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/ransomware-der-schlimmste-fehler-ist-ein-ceo-der-fragt-wie-zahle-ich",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-06T07:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/ransomware-so-begrenzen-firmen-schaeden-nach-einem-cyberangriff/100229829.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Zug, Germany has become a hotspot for ransomware attacks, with the number of incidents rising by ten percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the German Interior Ministry. These cyber attacks, carried out by criminals using ransomware software, involve encrypting entire IT systems and demanding payment – typically in the form of Bitcoin – often with threats to release stolen data if the ransom is not paid. So, what can businesses do to defend themselves against such attacks, regain control, and avoid costly mistakes in the early stages? Cybersecurity experts Michael Sjøberg and Peter Skovbo, who specialize in crisis management and founded the Swiss consultancy Delta Crisis, share their insights in an interview. Sjøberg asks, \"What typically goes wrong when a company calls us during a cyber attack?\"",
  "summary": "Cyber attacks are crippling entire production lines and increasingly also affecting medium-sized businesses. Two experts explain how companies should negotiate with blackmailers - and how they can better protect themselves.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}